12 Key Takeaways from our Simulated Online Renewal Live Chat
May 17, 2016
Home > Blog > 12 Key Takeaways from our Simulated Online Renewal Live Chat
On May 4, our Renewal & Credentialing Team hosted its first Online Renewal Live Chat. In this live chat session, we answered questions from the audience about the new renewal procedures. My colleagues Raquel A. and Daria H. did a fantastic job in answering many of the questions that Candidates had on the new simplified online renewal application. As you may be aware, the Council instituted a new renewal process back in October of last year that makes it much easier for our candidates to renew their CDA. And, did I mention the online process now takes only 5-7 days instead of a month.
If you missed our Live Chat session, this blog post will provide you some of the important highlights from the live chat that will help you when applying for your CDA Renewal. Furthermore, we have made available to you a recorded version of the Simulated Renewal Webinar hosted by our own Raquel A., that you can watch on-demand at your convenience. To access the recorded webinar, click HERE.
Going back to our live chat webinar session, I have compiled a list of the most important questions that we received during our session that I will share with you. I hope the answers to the most frequently asked questions will help you in getting your renewal completed in a timely manner, but most importantly my hope is that you will enjoy the new renewal system and the learning experiences achieved will provide positive outcomes in your early care profession.
Additionally, if you still have any questions on how to renew your CDA online, feel free to contact our Renewal Department at any time at customersupport@cdacouncil.org. Our Review & Credentialing Team Member, Raquel A. and her team representatives will do their best to help you out!
Here are 12 takeaways from our Live Chat webinar:
How can I submit my renewal documentation?
If you are applying online, you must upload your documents directly to our online application system, YourCDA. Applying online is the quickest and most efficient way to submit your renewal application. Want to learn how to upload documents to our online system? Simply watch our video “How to Upload Documents to the YourCDA Online Renewal Application.”
If you are applying by mail you must mail all of your documents along with your application and renewal fee.
Do you offer any kind of manual that clearly explains the new procedures to renew my CDA Credential?
Absolutely, in fact, we have created a Renewal Procedures Guide that includes step-by-step information on the renewal process. You may download the guide for free from our website. Just be sure you download the guide that corresponds to your setting of work. To download the guide click HERE.
When does my credential expire?
-Initial credentials are valid for three (3) years from the issue date on the credential.
-Renewal credentials issued before July 1, 2013, are valid for five (5) years from the issue date on the credential.
-Renewal credentials issued July 1, 2013, and after are valid for three years from the issue date on the credential.
Can you explain the ECE Reviewers role?
The ECE Reviewer is the person you will select to verify that you have worked at least 80 hours with children specific to your credential type in the past year. Also, the ECE Reviewer is the person who writes the letter of recommendation based on your work with young children. The recommendation is based on the 13 functional areas that are available in the renewal procedures guide. It is based on CDA criteria, not just general recommendations. These conditions have specific criteria that you can find in the renewal procedures guide specific to your setting of work.
To summarize, the ECE reviewer will verify the 80 hours of work with young children and write your letter of recommendation.
I have taken online training courses through an ECE organizations, do I need them to complete the training verification form?
Yes. You would need someone in the organization to go over your training record. Someone in that organization will fill out the training verification form, sign it, and give it back to you. You wILL then upload the form to our online application system if you are applying online or submit it with your paper application.
I completed 12 hours of training at work does this count for my renewal?
If you are receiving in-service training and your employer is hiring an off-site organization to provide the training or sending you off-site to receive the training you may be able to use those hours for your renewal as long as those hours are early childhood or child development training hours.
As a Family Child Care provider how do I verify my 80 hours of work experience?
The 80 hours of work experience would have to be verified by your ECE reviewer. Your ECE reviewer should be familiar with your work with children and that you operate a daily Family Child Care to verify the 80 hours of training. Often, your ECE reviewer will require obtaining documentation that you have worked 80 hours with children. If the ECE reviewer request to verify the 80 hours of training, you would have to obtain verification that you have worked those hours, and forward that to your ECE reviewer so they can verify those hours.
I have taken online classes, Can I count all of those hours toward my renewal?
We accept online training for the education component as long as it has been provided through a training agency. Online classes should provide a certificate of completion that should be specific to your credential type. You would then use the training verification form to account for those hours.
How can I upload documents to your Online Application System?
We have a created an easy to follow video that will show you step-by-step how to download your documents to yourCDA. To view the video click HERE.
How can I update my last name?
-If your last name has changed since you were issued your most recent current credential, you must submit official documentation of your name change.
-You will need to submit a copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree.
-If you are submitting an on-line renewal application, please make sure to fax or mail your proof of change of last name before completing the renewal process.
-If you are submitting a paper application, please be sure to indicate in the designated area on the application that you have a different last name and submit your proof of last name with your application.
I no longer work in the setting of my CDA Credential, can I renew in a different setting?
You can only renew in the setting of the CDA credential for which you were awarded. If you are working in a different setting other than the one for which you received your CDA credential, and would like to obtain a second credential in the new setting, you must apply for an initial CDA credential. Remember All renewal requirements are specific to the credential type you are renewing.
Does my payment have to be submitted with the cover letter?
Yes. Your payment must be submitted with the cover letter. This ensures that your payment is matched with your online application.
James Mckenzie is currently the Digital Marketing Specialist at the Council for Professional Recognition.
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Elisa Shepherd is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Council, where she leads initiatives to advance the Council’s mission and strategic plan through designing, managing, and executing a comprehensive stakeholder relationship strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education (ECE), Elisa has dedicated her career to developing impactful programs, professional development opportunities, and public policies that support working families, young children, and ECE staff. Before joining the Council, Elisa held numerous roles within the childcare industry. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President at The Learning Experience and as Senior Manager at KinderCare Education, where she influenced government affairs and public policies across 40 states.
Elisa’s commitment to leadership is reflected in her external roles on the Early Care and Education Consortium Board of Directors, the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees, and as the DEI Caucus Leader for KinderCare Education. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative.
Elisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on child development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.
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Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Janice Bigelow
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Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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Janie Payne is the Vice President of People and Culture for the Council for Professional Recognition. Janie is responsible for envisioning, developing, and executing initiatives that strategically manage talent and culture to align people strategies with the overarching business vision of the Council. Janie is responsible for driving organizational excellence through strategic talent practices, orchestrating workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management as well as a myriad of other Human Resources Programs. She is accountable for driving effectiveness by shaping organizational structure for optimal efficiency. Janie oversees strategies that foster a healthy culture to include embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.
Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.
Janie began her career with Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, where she directed a diversity program that resulted in significant improvement in diversity profile measures. Janie was also a faculty member for the company’s Black Managers Workshop, a training program designed to provide managers of color with the skills needed to overcome barriers to their success that were encountered because of race. She initiated a company-wide effort to establish team-based systems and structures to impact corporate bottom line results which was recognized by the Department of Labor. Janie was one of the first African American women to be featured on the cover of Human Resources Executive magazine.
Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.
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