DENVER (Aug. 26, 2020) - The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood, in partnership with Child Care Innovations-Red Rocks Community College and Mesa County Public Health, is offering scholarships to early childhood professionals to earn or renew their Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Offering CDA credential scholarships will help to improve the quality of the early care and education workforce by attracting and retaining highly qualified professionals.
The scholarship will cover the training costs and assessment fees for approximately 220 new CDA candidates and assessment fees for approximately 70 renewal candidates. The scholarship application is open and available now, in English, Spanish and Arabic.
The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. Earning a CDA credential helps to ensure early childhood professionals are prepared to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual and social development of children.
"Early childhood professionals play a vital role for children, families and communities," said Mary Anne Snyder, director of the Office of Early Childhood. "Providing these scholarships will support this essential workforce and ensure families have access to high-quality child care."
Funding for the scholarships is part of the $33.5 million Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal that Colorado received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the U.S. Department of Education.
"We know from our experience that supporting the small businesses that operate early childhood education centers with quality staff training ensures that families can go to work knowing their children are receiving the best possible care," said Stephanie Bivins, early childhood coordinator at Mesa County Public Health.
"We are always looking at creative approaches to expanding access to high-quality early learning and one of the best ways is through support of the early childhood workforce," said Patricia Bolton, Director of Child Care Innovations at Red Rocks Community College. "We are excited to join forces in a way that provides another way to meet staff qualifications, while also providing the funding and technical assistance to help assure success."
There is no deadline to apply for a scholarship. Funds are limited, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For individual assistance with questions, please contact Julia Brink, quality improvement program coordinator, Child Care Innovations-Red Rocks Community College, at 303.914.6274 or julia.brink@rrcc.edu.
Media contact:
Madlynn Ruble, Deputy Director of Communications
madlynn.ruble@state.co.us
303.866.3411