6.3 Ongoing Training and Professional Development

6.3.1 Required hours of ongoing training Provide the number of hours of ongoing training required annually for CCDF-eligible providers in the following settings: a. Licensed child care centers: Six for teaching staff, eight for directors and on-site supervisors. b. License-exempt child care centers: N/A, Iowa does not have license-exempt child care centers. c. Licensed family child care homes: Preliminary notice of non-compliance for this requirement was issued on 1/22/24 related to Iowa's monitoring visit. The Lead Agency needs additional time to update administrative rules to meet this requirement. Currently policy requires that Child Development Homes have twenty-four hours of training during their 2-year certification period. Since the requirement is biennial not annual it is non- compliant. d. License-exempt family child care homes: Preliminary notice of non-compliance for this requirement was issued on 1/22/24 related to Iowa's monitoring visit. The Lead Agency needs additional time to update administrative rules to meet this requirement. Currently policy requires that Child Care Homes with a CCA Agreement have 12 hours of training during their 2-year certification period. Since the requirement is biennial not annual it is non-compliant. e. Regulated or registered in-home child care: N/A f. Non-regulated or registered in-home child care: N/A 6.3.2 Accessibility of professional development for Tribal organizations Describe how the Lead Agency’s training and professional development are accessible to providers supported through Indian tribes or Tribal organizations receiving CCDF funds (as applicable). The Lead Agency meets with the Meskwaki Nation on a regular basis, approximately quarterly. During these meetings training and professional development opportunities are regularly an agenda item. Additionally, the Lead Agency has shared the two main websites that providers can go to for information about PD opportunities. These include i-PoWeR (Iowa’s Early Childhood and School- Age Professional Development Workforce Registry) and the Iowa CCR&R website. i-PoWeR can be used to find and enroll in trainings and conferences throughout the State. The CCR&R website has whole section on Professional Development as well as contact information for CCR&R consultation services to support providers that need help finding training and professional development opportunities. 6.3.3 Professional development appropriate for the children, families, and child care providers Describe how the Lead Agency’s training and professional development requirements reflect the range of children, families, and child care providers participating in CCDF. To the extent practicable, how does professional development include specialized training or credentials for providers who care for infants or school-age children; individuals with limited English proficiency; children who are bilingual; children with developmental delays or disabilities; and/or Native Americans, including Indians, as the term is defined in Section 900.6 in subpart B of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (including Alaska Natives) and Native Hawaiians? Child care regulations specify that providers must receive training from approved training organizations. The Lead Agency has a thorough approval process for training organizations before they may offer training for child care providers in the State of Iowa. The training organizations are rated on criteria related to their ability to provide content that supports: developmentally appropriate practices, childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the life cycle; children being understood in the context of their family, culture, community; respect for the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual. Additionally all potential organizations are rated on their ability to offer content that aligns with the ECI Cultural Competencies and on their ability to provide adult learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse participants. 6.3.4 Child developmental screening Describe how all providers receive, through training and professional development, information about: (1) existing resources and services the State/Territory can make available in conducting developmental screenings and providing referrals to services when appropriate for children who receive assistance under this part, including the coordinated use of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and developmental screening services available under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); and (2) how child care providers may utilize these resources and services to obtain developmental screenings for children who receive assistance and who may be at risk for cognitive or other developmental delays, which may include social, emotional, physical, or linguistic delays: When the Lead Agency contracted to develop the Essentials Child Care Preservice Training we included information screening and resources when there are concerns regarding non-typical development including the above two criteria in the module called Understanding Child Development. All child care staff working directly with children must take this training.