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Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) has committed to offering high-quality, foundational professional development opportunities to child care providers in various settings. The identified goals are to:
Iowa's Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (i-PoWeR) is a comprehensive registry where you can find and enroll in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved professional development opportunities related to early childhood and school-age professionals. It will also maintain a record of your professional achievements. Approved training opportunities can be accessed by visiting i-PoWeR.
For assistance on creating an account, please contact your local Child Care Consultant or Training Specialist or email the i-PoWeR Help Desk.
Additional tips and tricks that every provider should know can also be found on flyers here: Home Providers or Center Staff & Managerial Roles. At the bottom of this training page, you will also find 1-2 minute "How To" video clips and longer webinars regarding i-PoWeR navigation.
Additional training approved by HHS can be accessed on the HHS website.
CCR&R offers a variety of trainings, as funding allows. Please contact the Training Specialist in your area for a list of additional trainings that may be available.
Our Child Care Consultants assist with Child Development Home (CDH) professional development record (Spanish) (Word) and can make referrals to partner programs that will help providers in following their plans for higher education. Child Care Centers can utilize this professional development record (fillable) for staff.
Training Name
ChildNet 3.0
This series provides the foundational skills needed to operate a successful child care business. Upon series completion, providers will be eligible for ChildNet Certification and to obtain points in the Quality Rating System.
Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Family Child Care
This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model to classroom-based settings for ages birth-5. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.
Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Infant Toddler 2023
This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model to classroom-based settings for ages 0-3. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.
Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Preschool 2023
This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model to classroom-based settings for ages 3-5. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.
Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Programs
This training is designed to help child care providers prepare for handling emergency situations that may affect their program and community. It will also provide the necessary tools and information to create an emergency plan that will meet Iowa law requirements.
Essentials Preservice Series
This series offers providers important information on key health and safety topics and was developed to meet Iowa Department of Health and Human Services professional development requirements.
Compass - Environmental Rating Scale Training
This series is a nationally recognized tool used to assess and improve the quality of center, school age, infant/toddler and family child care programs. Workshops offer step-by-step guidance for making helpful changes that can make a real difference in the work that is done with young children.
First Aid and CPR
Certification in infant and child first aid includes managing a blocked airway and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. *Required to provide care *Approved list: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Iowa Early Learning Standards
This series addresses the developmental areas of young children, which are based on research and theory in early care and education. It is a guide in understanding how children learn, as well as the importance of play, routine, and relationships regarding their development.
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training
Providers are required to attend this Iowa-specific training to learn how to identify the signs of child abuse and the steps needed to report incidents.
Program for Infant/Toddler Care of Iowa
This training approach equates good care with training infant/toddler providers who are preparing themselves and the environment so that infants can learn.
School Age Matters (SAM)
School-age children have a specific set of developmental needs that are different from younger children. Attendees will learn the skills needed to effectively adapt their programs to accommodate this age group.
Universal Precautions
Providers will learn what can be done to protect the children in their care from the spread of germs and disease. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the importance of post-exposure policies and procedures.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is a nationally recognized credential earned by those working in the early care and education field. The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards and includes an assessment process by the Council for Professional Recognition.
The CDA credential, a recognized part of child care regulations in Iowa and across the country, is a way to earn points on Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS) and is part of achieving some accreditation standards. CDA credentials have been awarded around the country since 1971 and over 300,000 credentials have been granted. All CCR&R trainings correspond with the 8 CDA content areas listed below:
1) Planning a safe and healthy learning environment 2) Advancing children's physical and intellectual development 3) Supporting children's social and emotional development 4) Building productive relationships with families 5) Managing an effective program operation 6) Maintaining a commitment to professionalism 7) Observing and recording children’s behavior 8) Understanding principles of child development and learning
For more information on how to achieve your CDA or connect with a CDA Navigator, visit Iowa AEYC CDA Credential.
TEACH IOWA (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) is a comprehensive scholarship program that provides the early childhood workforce access to educational opportunities and is helping establish a well-qualified, fairly compensated and stable workforce for our children. You can access the TEACH IOWA booklet here.
Early child care and education providers who may be eligible include those who:
For more information on the TEACH Early Childhood® IOWA program or to apply, visit Iowa AEYC.
*We do not recommend using Internet Explorer with i-PoWeR. The systems are not compatible.
Statewide Training Policies and Procedures Handbook
Request for Child Care Training Approval from the Department of Health and Human Services
Go to CCR&R Approved Instructors - Training Materials
Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) strives to ensure all training programs and materials align with applicable legislation, while acknowledging that legislation is ever changing. Our focus remains on supporting early childhood education in a way that is respectful, welcoming, and aligned with legal guidelines.