Parents to Professionals

Are you interested in a career in the Early Childhood Development field?

Program Overview:

Foothill Family’s Early Childhood Development Workforce Program aims to empower parents and caregivers in our communities with opportunities for and access to valuable education and job training to build lifelong financial security for themselves and their families. The Parents to Professionals Program is designed to develop and strengthen your knowledge and skills to enter the field of Early Childhood Education workforce. By participating in the Parents to Professional Program, you will receive guided support, instruction, and hands-on experience to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. The program is aligned with Early Head Start Program Standards. By the end of your time in the Parents to Professional Program, you will be ready to enter the Early Childhood Development workforce. 

What is a CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential? 

  • The CDA Credential is a nationally recognized credential has been accepted as a minimum requirement for working in many early childhood centers
  • Helps early educators meet current state and national professional requirements
  • With a CDA, you are more capable to meet the specific needs of children and work with parents and other adults to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development setting
  • For this program, you can expect to complete your CDA within 1 year
  • Your CDA cohort will meet twice a week for 2 hours (4 total hours) to complete training in the 8 CDA subject areas
  • 2 different track options – Home Visitor CDA and Center-Based CDA

Who Should Seek the CDA Credential?

  • Anyone interested in working with infant, toddler, and preschool aged children (Birth – Age 5) in center-based care as well as those in family childcare homes.

Why should I join Foothill Family’s Parents to Professional Program?

  • You will have an opportunity to enter (or re-enter) into the workforce with guidance and support from Foothill Family staff.
  • Free tuition support and coursework materials
  • You will have hands-on experience working in an Early Childcare Provider setting or Home-based setting
  • One-on-one meetings to identify employment readiness and skills
  • Your CDA cohort will meet twice a week for 2 hours (4 total hours) to complete training in the 8 CDA subject areas
  • The program is carefully designed to deliver types of professional learning experiences that truly impact educator practice.

What are the requirements for the Parents to Professional Program?

Credential Program Requirements

Educational Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent*
Experience Requirements:
  •        Experience is not required. Some work experience may be helpful.

Those enrolled in the program will have to complete 480 hours in an Early Childhood setting
Language Skills: Ability to speak Spanish, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese preferred, but not required
Availability: 4 hours of instruction per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One in-person session and one-online session tentatively from 10am-12pm.** Interning hours in an Early Childhood setting will also be required
Coursework Support:

120 hours of training in the 8 CDA subject areas:

1. Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
2. Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development
3. Supporting Children’s social and emotional development
4. Building productive relationships with families
5. Managing an effective program operation
6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
7. Observing and recording children’s behavior
8. Understanding the principles of child development and learning

Additional hours will include job preparation and other required training
Academic & Career Coaching support:
  •        Individualized coaching to help you identify and develop your skills to be successful in the program
  •        One-on-one support and guidance with employment skills and career opportunities
  •        Assist with identifying and using your strengths to overcome challenges

*If you are interested, but do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, please speak with the Career Coach about possible alternative opportunities.

**The exact times are to be finalized

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

Please contact Mario Flores at mflores@foothillfamily.org

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Foothill Family builds brighter futures

by empowering children and families in our community to overcome challenges and achieve success in relationships, school, and work.

Rooted in caring since 1926, Foothill Family provides a broad range of community-based mental health and social services to under-served children and families in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, Glendale, and Burbank.