April 2009 CounciLINK

------ CDA Feedback Special Issue ------

Family Child Care CDAs Develop Support Network Isolation is a problem for many family child care professionals. MaryBeth Bush, a CDA from Trumbell County, Ohio, relates her personal experience about a network of family child providers who were able to study together, receive their CDAs together, and then unite together for emotional and professional support. This organization went on to become a child care resource for the whole community. Click here for more of this article.
CDA Credential Seen as a Benefit for Careers
The CDA credential has enabled many recipients to achieve more responsible positions in the field of early childhood education, according to results of a survey. Increased salary was seen to be another benefit of the credential (see chart at right). The Council emailed the survey to a sample of people who maintain active CDA certification. Over 10,000 CDAs received the survey and 22% responded. Many respondents noted that receiving the CDA credential had made them more confident in their career choice. Many also reported a new-found sense of professional pride and accomplishment, and new respect from parents, the community, and colleagues. Additional comments were: I've had more parents interested in my in-home care since I received my CDA, I think it makes them feel more at ease. It helped me to be prepared for, qualify for, and execute a smooth transition for a Director's position. My place of employment has said that CDA didn't mean anything. But I know that it benefits me well. Makes me feel more than just a babysitter, has helped me in a field I truly love, working with autistic children. More results from the survey will appear in future issues of CounciLINK.
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