Ken Murphy
news@cdacouncil.org
A new strategic partnership between the Council of Professional Recognition (the Council) and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education(ADECE)will support the state’s First Class Pre-K program by recruiting early childhood professionals,who have successfully obtained their National Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential for classroom support. This collaboration also includes working with the Alabama State Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education (CTE)/Workforce Development,as they identify opportunities to expand and adopt the CDA credential as part of their educational qualifications for high school students interested in pursuing a career in the early childhood field.
“Our First Class Pre-K program has been among the nation’s best for quality for more than a decade, in part because of our emphasis on recruiting a workforce specifically trained in developmentally-appropriate, early learning strategies,” said Jeana Ross, secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. “As our First Class Pre-K program continues to expand, the need for qualified teachers will grow exponentially. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on new strategies to recruit and help interested Alabamians pursue a Child Development Associate credential.”
“The Council is so excited about our collaboration with the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. This partnership will help high school students achieve the high-quality early childhood education and competency training needed to earn a CDA,” Valora Washington,chief executive officer for the Council for Professional Recognition said. “The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is providing an important opportunity for high school graduates to be well-prepared early childhood educators in all child care settings by helping them earn a CDA Credential.”
The Council will also help the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education to build lists of licensed child care centers where CDA students can earn the required 480 hours of child care experience required to earn a CDA. In addition, this effort will help increase the number of CDA Professional Development Specialists, who observe CDA candidates during a verification visit as part of the Council’s rigorous credentialing process. The ADECE will also implement the CDA Home Visitor Program,which will help improve the quality of early childhood education in a variety of communities throughout the state.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education for children ages zero 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 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 industry leading CDA Competency Standards and Essentials textbook and workbook (2nd edition 2017).
ABOUT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The mission of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) is to provide state leadership that identifies, promotes, and coordinates services for children, their families, and communities. With primary emphasis on ensuring that all of Alabama’s children are prepared for school success and lifelong learning through voluntary, diverse, high-quality early childhood programs.
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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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