Stakeholders will meet through 2020-2021 to provide consultation to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on the model and approach. 

These principles will be applied to determine the best approach to meet the objective(s):

• People throughout the state have access with consideration for rural and linguistic diversity. This means there are a variety of ways to complete this option.
• Consideration for avoiding unintended consequences.
• The model is relationship-based and includes job-connected learning formats, and is not 100% dependent on traditional “training” approach.

1) Timeline Extension: DCYF has extended the timeline until Aug. 1, 2026, for providers to complete the licensing requirement of an initial or short certificate, or other option (section 1 of the bill).

2) Community Based Training Option: This non-credit bearing community-based training pathway will be developed as an alternative pathway for early learning providers to meet their licensing requirement for the initial or short certificate (section 2 of the bill).

3) Alignment with Community Colleges: In collaboration with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), DCYF will develop a plan for this community based training option to qualify for college credit (section 3 of the bill).

Want to read the full bill? Visit HB 2556 full text.

DCYF will connect with stakeholders and the early learning community sharing status updates and seeking involvement along the way. Community engagement will occur in three phases. 

1. Stakeholder Consultation: DCYF is working with stakeholders named in HB 2556 to consult on the development and implementation of this pathway. This will happen from through the 2020-2021 years.
2. Webinars: Providers will be invited to participate in webinars to provide feedback. This will happen in two webinars, one in the middle and one closer to the start of the pilot. November 2020 and January 2021.
3. Pilot Program: Providers will participate in a pilot of the community based training option to provide real-time feedback on the model and delivery. This will happen in the summer of 2021.

Community Engagement Efforts

• A series of community engagement efforts were conducted between November 2020-January 2021. Review the feedback received on the Community-Based Training option.
• Feedback received will influence the development and delivery of this training model.