Workforce / Professional Development

Higher Education Grants are awarded to University of Montana - Western, Flathead Valley Community College and Dawson Community College to provide Early Childhood courses in regions where this type of training is currently unavailable, or in underserved communities around the state.

University of Montana - Western

UM - Western uses research based information to design adult education programs that produce high quality early childhood professionals. These include:

• Small class sizes to enhance opportunities for faculty and student interacting and student-to-student interaction
• A lab with each core early childhood course to assist with application of concepts learned in the higher education classroom
• Development of a community of learners through the use of a cohort model for the early childhood core coursework (a model where the instructor and students complete 24 credits of early childhood course work together).
• High quality coursework meeting rigorous national standards. UM-Western is NCATE accredited. This is a voluntary accreditation for teacher education programs.
• At UM-Western early childhood degrees are designed to be seamless. Students can begin by taking credits that meet the training requirement for the CDA (a national credential). These credits form the core for the Associated in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. This degree articulates seamlessly into the new Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.
• Early childhood courses are designed to meet the needs of working practitioners. Most classes meet in the evenings or are offered on-line. Courses are offered onsite in many locations through out the State of Montana. An EC Rural model is also available. This model combines self-study and weekend intensives.

Flathead Community College

Flathead Community College continues to be highly invested in the success of the Early Childhood Education Program on both the Kalispell and Libby campuses. Coursework has been designed to meet the Revised Guidelines for Profession Development as set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. In addition, the early childhood courses are introducing students to the Montana Early Learning Guidelines, emphasizing the practical implementation of learning standards in all content areas for young children. The program content continues to utilize the Montana Early Care and Education Knowledge Base in course planning and evaluation.

Dawson Community College (DCC)

Dawson Community College continues to provide higher education coursework for early childhood education in regions where this type of training is currently unavailable or in communities that are underserved. These areas include the unserved communities of Glasgow, Malta, Plentywood and Lewistown. They will continue to serve Miles City, Roundup, Baker and Sidney. Dawson Community College Early Childhood Education coursework can lead to an: Associate of Applied Science Degree-AAS (60 credits), Certification (32 credits) or assess to CDA Credential coursework. The Early Childhood Education Program at DCC prepares early childhood professionals in accordance with the Guidelines for Preparation of Early Childhood Professionals for Associate Degree-Granting Institutes and NAEYC Competency Standards. Each student completes the Montana Early Care and Education Knowledge Base Booklet. This is a self-evaluation of skills and competencies learned throughout the Early Childhood Education program this is to be used as an outcomes assessment tool.

The challenge of inclusion in child care and other early childhood programs is to provide developmentally appropriate experiences for young children—both with and without disabilities—in nurturing, enriching, and enjoyable environments. Inclusion means more than simply placing children with disabilities in existing programs; it means making every-day-little-kid experiences meaningful. Inclusion recognizes that all children:

• Are unique individuals
• Have similarities as well as differences
• Have strengths and needs
• Are important members of the group

To offer these quality experiences, child care providers are called upon to make modifications in their programs. Most of these modifications are subtle or small, but they can have significant impact on the children. In order to make these changes, it is necessary to combine the strengths of early childhood professionals—especially their willingness to care for young children with disabilities—with the resources of families and early intervention and special education systems. This approach preserves the value, benefits, and integrity of existing early childhood programs while providing the extra information a provider needs in order to meet the individual challenges a child with disabilities may present. For more information, contact Allison Drake at (406) 444-1400.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has partnered with the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), in offering a registered Child Care Development Specialist (CCDS) Apprenticeship Program as a strategy for linking high quality, well-trained caregivers with the possibility of increased  compensation, job security and career enhancement opportunities.

The CCDS apprenticeship program is an organized formal system of on-the-job learning under supervision of a qualified mentor at a designated early care facility, supplemented by related technical instruction in which the apprentice “learns by doing” and “earns while he or she learns”.  The program offers a national CCDS certificate that is recognized in all 50 states.

For more information, visit www.mtecp.org.