Welcome to the Trainer Gazette
Welcome to the second edition of the Trainer Gazette, a quarterly Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) newsletter for Washington's State-Approved Trainers. You’ll find information on what's new in the State-Approved Trainer world, highlighting trainers, sharing tips and more.
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OSPI Clock Hours
The policy at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) was recently updated and all in-service hours (STARS) from DCYF will be accepted as clock hours according to WAC 181-85-025(6). This goes into effect late August.
Early learning providers will self-report their clock hours to OSPI and ensure their in-service training hours are recorded in their professional record in MERIT as a record for OSPI.
To learn more about this and other updates, check out the State of Washington Professional Educator Standards Board website or register for one of their webinars.
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Online Training
DCYF updated the policy for online learning. Some online training options may change due to this update. Please be sure to note:
- Before selecting online training from a website you have used in the past, ensure this training is listed in MERIT.
- If the training you wish to complete is not in MERIT, it will not be considered in-service hours.
You may choose to submit a Continuing Education Proposal for training you select that is not offered by a state-approved trainer. DCYF will review this in MERIT and determine if in-service hours can be applied.
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These factors define standards for delivery of all training – including online learning. As DCYF applies this to the in-service options provided by state-approved trainers, the following is required for approved online learning:
- Two interactive components:
- Back-and-forth interaction between peers. Example: Participants are part of an active discussion group between peers and trainer.
- Back-and-forth interaction with the State-Approved Trainer. Example: Participant submits a journal entry and the trainer provides feedback.
Each component should occur at least one time for each hour of training.
What if an online module doesn’t have these components?
There are also many ways adults seek out and learn new information that are considered independent study. Often times, online modules may have high-quality information but may not include these interactive components. When this type of training is offered and includes an opportunity for the learner to submit a reflection back to the trainer that describes how they applied the information to their practice, this type of training can be entered in MERIT as self-paced/correspondence.
Online training delivery partners have options – they can:
- Ensure online training reflects these policy expectations.
- Offer training as a self-paced/correspondence learning if it includes the following:
- Assessment of learning with an opportunity for the learner to share the knowledge and skills they gained and how they will apply it to their practice.
Resign state-approved trainer status. Early learning providers in Washington will not receive in-service hours for this training.
DCYF will work with those who offer online learning to determine how this policy update is applied and will have until November 1, 2019, to meet these updates.
Please email us if you have any questions at training@dcyf.wa.gov.
Please email us if you have any questions at training@dcyf.wa.gov
Trainer Advisory Board
The Trainer Advisory Board (TAB) is currently recruiting for the next session. The TAB advises DCYF on trainer and training quality assurance policies and practices. Members serve a two-year term and responsibilities include:
- Completing a minimum of two observations of trainer applicants and current state-approved trainers
- Attending quarterly meetings
- Providing recommendations for trainer support and relationship-based mentoring
TAB consists of professionals in higher education, community-based trainers, state agencies and community organizations. A priority for TAB is that members represent our diverse communities through their language, culture and experience. To apply, complete the application and submit to training@dcyf.wa.gov.
Learn more about TAB.
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Trainer Observer Pool
Do you have a desire to observe applying and established trainers across the state? Want to influence the work done by TAB? To better serve our trainers across the state, we're looking to add to our pool of trainer observers and are seeking individuals from your community that represent your language and culture. If you have a passion for helping Washington trainers develop and ensuring that early learning professionals are receiving quality training, complete the application and submit to training@dcyf.wa.gov.
Learn more about the Trainer Observer Pool here.
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Progress competency area focuses on how to observe and assess what children know and can do in order to plan and provide a curriculum that meets their developmental and learning needs. This competency area emphasizes that each child develops at their own pace.
How can you use these two resources to provide a foundation for early learning providers to not only understand how children learn and grow but also apply this to planning activities to support their development? What other resources are out there that can be used?
Think about the resources that you have in your toolkit for assessment and observations. Check out NAEYC’s website for resources on developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). There are many resources available based on need and program type. What else can you add to your resource toolbox?
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Do you know an excellent trainer who would be a great candidate for the quarterly Trainer Highlight section?
Each quarter, we will highlight a trainer who is part of the State-Approved Trainer community. Nominations are made anonymously.
Please send us the following information via email:
- Trainer's name
- The general location they serve
- Why you are nominating them
- A picture if you have their permission
Please send the information to training@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Have you heard that there will be updated regulations in effect on August 1, 2019?
You may be receiving questions about Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 110-300 – known as the Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs.
Your role as a state-approved trainer is to provide professional learning opportunities based on best-practice and research – and the Foundational Quality Standards aligns with this.
When you receive questions, please share the resources below. If an answer is not already provided, be sure to share the email address below to address new questions.
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In October 2018, DCYF released the updated Child Care Basics curriculum that included the federally required health and safety training topics. If you were already teaching Child Care Basics, you should have received an email from our training team about the process for the new curriculum. If you didn’t, please let us know by emailing training@dcyf.wa.gov.
Are you wanting to teach the Child Care Basics curriculum for the first time? If you are approved to teach in all Early Care and Education competency areas and are interested in teaching Child Care Basics, please email training@dcyf.wa.gov for more information.
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Previous Trainer Gazettes can now be found on the DCYF website. Newsletters will be posted within one week of being sent out.
Visit the professional development webpage to find archived newsletters and other information to stay up-to-date on all things professional development.
Did you miss June’s webinar for State-Approved Trainers? You'll find it there.
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The following trainers were approved in January – March 2019. Welcome, and congrats!
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Kelly Daniels
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Jacqueline Edwards
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Olga Webstad
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Shannon Nagy
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Keri Krout
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Delores Gonzalez
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Carli Meek
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Kathy Lukenbill
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Barbara Owens
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Kristen McLeskey
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Jeff Chandler
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Carol Good
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Elizabeth Carley
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Caryn Nelson
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Debbie Haney
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Jolyn Gardner
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Valerie McCoy
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Tanja Ownbey
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Hamdi Hussein
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Joan Stanton
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Olga Mendez
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John Tibbets
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Julie Nagel
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Maureen Fanion
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Heather Scannell Ashton
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Elizabeth Orozco-Blanco
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What would you be interested in reading? Please complete this survey to let us know what you’d like to read about each quarter. |
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You can reach us at training@dcyf.wa.gov with any questions or comments about the content in this newsletter. |
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