With all the recent nationwide budget cuts, it is remarkable that funding for home visitor programs is actually increasing. The effectiveness of any home visitor program is based on establishing constructive relationships between families and home visitors. The CDA Home Visitor credential is the nationally recognized tool that demonstrates the competence of home visitor professionals.

Recently, the Council broadened its requirements to allow applications from high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in an early childhood education vocational program. This opens up the possibility that the CDA credential will become available to a whole new population. 

Council President/CEO Valora Washington visited one such program in eastern Ohio — the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. At this center, a group of about 25 high school juniors and seniors are already using Council books and tools as part of their curricula. Teacher Julie Pagnotta is thrilled that the students will now be able to apply for their actual CDAs since they already "do the work."