Youth employees earn credentials

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Three Hanscom Child Development Center (CDC) employees and one Youth Center employee have been awarded credentials, earning another step in their professional development careers.

Ann-Marie Ely, youth sports and fitness director, was the first youth center employee at Hanscom to earn a Youth Development Credential and was among the first group of Air Force Youth Center employees to gain this recognition.

"Youth development is truly our focus," said Scott Craver, chief of youth programs. "The Air Force is looking for more professional development in this field, and so offering to help employees gain their credentials is a good career broadening experience."

More than a year ago, Mr. Craver received an email asking if any employees would be interested in earning their credentials through an Air Force pilot program partnership with the Missouri School Age Community Coalition. Employees could apply to be accepted into the program and, if accepted, the Air Force would pay for their credentialing.

"I forwarded the email to my staff and Ann-Marie eagerly stepped forward," said Mr. Craver.

The process took more than a year to complete and Ms. Ely had to work with someone at the Air Force level to complete each step.

She had to create six competency goals and 13 functional areas. In addition, she was observed for two hours and was evaluated on her consistent performance while working with youth. Ms. Ely also had to have families complete a family survey evaluating her relationship and performance as a youth counselor.

After submitting her resource portfolio, completing a formal observation and turning in the family surveys, Ms. Ely was then required to complete a written examination where she demonstrated her knowledge of best practices with children and youth. Next, she completed an oral interview which consisted of 10 situations in which her responses were evaluated. The culmination of meeting these requirements resulted in Ms. Ely earning the credential.

"This was a great opportunity to further my growth and development in the youth profession," said Ms. Ely.

Ms. Ely has worked at the Hanscom Youth Center for three years. It was her first job after graduating with a degree in physical education.

"I was excited going into the process of earning the credential, but it was a lot of work," she said. "I'm glad it's over and glad that I successfully completed it."

Her credential will be good for five years and after that she will be able to go through a simpler process to renew it. The credential is recognized not only throughout the Air Force, but also in private sectors.

In addition to Ms. Ely, three Hanscom Child Development Center employees earned their Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials.

Rafaela Cicolini, Amanda Silva and Julie Skiff all earned their CDAs through the Council for Professional Recognition, which represents the early childhood education profession.

"The Child Development Center has been helping employees earn their credentials for about 10 years now," said Kristen Melvin, training and curriculum specialist. "Over the past five years, we have been really encouraging our staff to take the next step because it ties in with accreditation and qualification standards."

The process is very similar to the youth credential in the fact that the process takes about 12 to 18 months to complete. Employees must come up with six competency statements, create a resource file with 17 required items, plus be observed by an advisor, collect parent questionnaires and take a written test followed by an oral interview.

Child development center staff may apply for an Air Force scholarship to pay for the credentialing process. If staff are not awarded the scholarship, the CDC will help them pay for it.

"Since having more employees credentialed helps with the CDC's accreditation, we highly encourage our staff to take this next step after they complete their initial 18 month module training program," said Ms. Melvin. "We always push them to keep up with continuing education."

The newest credentialed CDC staff members all are glad the long process is complete.

"It's another step in my career and I'm glad I have accomplished it," said Ms. Cicolini.

Not only is the process good for the child care providers, but it also gives parents peace of mind knowing their children are cared for by qualified staff.

"I feel proud of the work I have put into this process," said Ms. Silva. "It will benefit the children, families and my professional growth."

Ms. Skiff may have summed it up best when referring to the CDA as more than a process.

"My CDA was an adventure for me," she said. "The experience has strengthened my skills working with children."

Both the youth center and CDC will continue the process of helping those who care for Hanscom's children become more qualified in the future.

"Credentialing has a positive effect on the quality of early childhood education and care and the impact is evident," said Ms. Melvin.