CDA Gold Standard(SM) Awarded to Two Early Childhood Education Programs!

Programs for Parents (PfP) of New Jersey and YWCA of Northwest Ohio are the newest recipients of the prestigious CDA Gold Standard – Comprehensive award from the Council for Professional Recognition.

• Programs PfP is a child care resource and referral agency for Essex County, NJ.
• YWCA of Northwest Ohio is a child care resource and referral agency with regional locations in Toledo, Lima and Mansfield, Ohio.

“I’m so excited to congratulate everyone at Programs for Parents and the YWCA of Northwest Ohio for achieving this quality recognition,” said Valora Washington, chief executive officer of the Council for Professional Recognition. “The CDA Gold Standard was created to assure value and integrity in the early childhood profession by verifying connections between the Council’s proven early education training competencies and the quality of training resources available to CDA students by organizations like YWCA of Northwest Ohio and Program for Parents.”

This award signifies that both of these Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies successfully met the Council’s high standards for providing quality early childhood education training to students who prepare for the CDA Credential exam and a career as an early childhood educator.

“It’s our belief and philosophy that everything should be done with excellence. Earning the CDA Gold Standard is another step in that direction,” said Dr. Beverly Lynn, CEO of Programs for Parents.

YWCA of Northwest Ohio Assistant Director Martha Bonenkamp said, “We believe our CDA program is truly top-notch.”

She added, “The CDA is badly needed in the area. We like that the CDA content is intentional and reinforces our emphasis on professional development.”

The YWCA started its program in 2014 to meet a critical need in Northwest Ohio. It now has a total of 75 students with about 25 students at each of their three locations in Toledo, Lima and Mansfield.

In addition to offering high-quality training, Programs for Parents demonstrated that it serves the CDA student community with excellence, which includes professional development that prepares students for the successful completion of their training programs.

The CDA Gold Standard requires evidence that PfP and the YWCA of Northwest Ohio have early childhood education training and student services based on the Council’s three industry-leading principles:

1. Alignment with the CDA formal education coursework in the CDA’s Eight Subject Areas
2. Sound business policies and practices
3. Quality student services that meet their educational and professional needs

The CDA Gold Standard is valid for three years and can be renewed.

Learn more about the CDA Gold StandardSM at www.cdacouncil.org.

Programs for Parents is a not-for-profit organization that works to ensure children get the best possible start in life. The group supports children, families and child care providers in Essex County, NJ, through advocacy and action; offering education, referrals, sharing best practices; and access to available financial resources.

The YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral provides services to parents and family members seeking child care services; early education and child care professionals working with children and their families; and agencies serving families, businesses and communities. As a state-funded child care resource and referral agency, it services 20 counties in northwest Ohio from three regional offices.