Published by CounciLINK on March 28, 2019
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.
“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:
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.
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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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