Usma Mohamed
news@cdacouncil.org
WASHINGTON — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) CredentialTM, is committed to addressing the sector’s staffing shortage crisis while maintaining its strong belief in the need for and quality of the CDA. That’s why it appreciates Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) for introducing legislation that aims to help with the workforce situation.
Early Head Start’s Staffing Shortages
Early Head Start programs, which help children from birth to age three in underserved communities prepare for school, are still coping with post-pandemic staffing shortages. Nineteen percent of Head Start and Early Head Start staff positions remain vacant, according to a recent National Head Start Association survey.
The bipartisan HEADWAY Act (Head Start Education and Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act) would allow Early Head Start classroom teachers to teach and earn their CDA at the same time; the bill would retain the requirement that at least one teacher in every classroom is fully credentialed with at least a CDA.
Currently, all Early Head Start teachers must hold a CDA, a condition that Congress requires to ensure high-quality teaching in classrooms. Candidates for the CDA must successfully pass the national CDA exam that tests their knowledge of early childhood best practices based on the National CDA Competency Standards.
The Council’s CEO, Dr. Calvin Moore, Jr., says, “We recognize Senators Warnock and Braun for their deep support of Early Head Start and the role the CDA plays in its success. The important thing to remember is that, ultimately, the bill will lead to more teachers with CDAs. We’re at a point where we recognize the need for flexibility to ensure classrooms are fully staffed, as the senators have advanced with their bill. We also believe those who earn a CDA should have that achievement recognized with salary increases.” Dr. Moore noted that the CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education around the world.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings, including Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family childcare, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, over 1 million Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials have been issued around the world. For more information, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
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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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