Council for Professional Recognition
news@cdacouncil.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA is partnering with the Council for Professional Recognition (the Council) to provide educational training opportunities that support with the Child Development Associate (CDA®) Credential standards. Educators working at the four Easter Seals Early Care and Education Centers in the DMV will receive the appropriate educational training that meets the 120 training hour requirements to eventually obtain a CDA.
The early childhood facilities at Easter Seals offer child care services for children with and without disabilities, from six weeks to six years of age. These programs provide services to children from every walk of life, and work to serve children from low- to moderate-income families.
“We believe that all families should have access to high quality early childhood education regardless of their socioeconomic status. The partnership with Easter Seals not only prepares educators to deliver the high quality practices set by the CDA to all families, it also teaches them about inclusive practices for children with special needs; a community Easter Seals serves,” said Valora Washington, chief executive officer, Council for Professional Recognition.
The partnership will provide the Council with EAS training coursework for Easter Seals educators that support the cross-walk with the CDA’s eight subject areas and 13 functional areas. In addition, Easter Seals will support the recruitment of CDA candidates, as well as CDA Professional Development Specialists to include bilingual language speakers within those communities.
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 zero to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings – Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs. As a non-profit agency, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, publishes the industry leading training books and workbooks, including its CDA Competency Standards and Essentials textbook and workbook (2nd edition). Visit: www.cdacouncil.org.
ABOUT EASTER SEALS DC/MD/VA
Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA – For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA has been at the forefront of providing exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in our communities. Services are delivered through a network of 6 sites where participants and their families find support, hope, medical care, and engaging activities. In addition to serving the overall community, Easter Seals places an emphasis on the unique needs of wounded warriors, veterans, active duty military, and their families. Visit: www.eseal.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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