Published by CounciLINK on September 27, 2018
Almost everywhere the Council goes, we hear from CDA candidates and ECE employers who want a reliable source for early childhood education training, with content aligned to the Council’s CDA Subject Areas, and the assurance an organization has strong business practices. That’s why the Council created the CDA Gold Standard. The Gold Standard successfully launched in June 2018. During the one-month application period, more than 80 organizations submitted the June application cycle.
Now, qualified organizations can apply for the CDA Gold Standard, starting Oct. 1. This cycle will close Oct. 31. If your CDA training organization is interested in applying for a CDA Gold Standard recognition, please note:
The application cycle is open for a limited time – Oct. 1-Oct. 31, 2018
1. To be eligible to apply, organizations must meet two (2) pre-qualifications:
2. Gold Standard is only available for organizations; individual consultants are not eligible
3. For more information on the Gold Standard, please refer to the website or brochure
4. The Gold Standard handbook is available for purchase at The Council Store
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Chief Operations Officer
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.
Chief Financial Officer
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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