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: Based on minimum licensing requirements, directors 20 hours annually, teaching personnel 12 clock-hours annually, master teacher, 20 clock-hours annually. b. License-exempt child care centers: License exempt programs are not required to complete annual training. c. Licensed family child care homes: Based on minimum licensing requirements, primary caregiver must obtain 12 clock-hours annually, though the Lead Agency has proposed policy that will change this to 15 clock-hours to correlate with the Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder. In a large family child care home 20 hours annually is required for the primary caregiver. Licensing requirements for Family Child Care Homes will be updated with an anticipated effective date of 11/2026 to include required training for assistant and substitute caregivers. d. License-exempt family child care homes: License exempt programs are not required to complete annual training. e. Regulated or registered in-home child care: License exempt programs are not required to complete annual training. f. Non-regulated or registered in-home child care: License exempt programs are not required to complete annual training. 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). All training and professional development opportunities offered through the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR) searchable database are available to Tribal organizations, Indian Tribes, public and private school personnel, parents, and any other members of the general public. These groups are all eligible to attend at the same low costs provided to licensed child care programs within the state. Tribal partners may also access services offered by The Child Care Warmline. Tribal partners are an approved training sponsored organization and provide training opportunities throughout the state. Individuals working in the state licensed child care program are also eligible for the Certificate of Achievement and Stipend Program administered through the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development. Tribal programs are also eligible to participate in the Scholars for Excellence in Child Care program administered through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education quality contract and the accompanying stipends. 6.3.3 Professional development appropriate for the diversity of children, families, and child care providers Describe how the Lead Agency’s training and professional development requirements reflect the diversity 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? The Lead Agency invests in opportunities for formal professional development and college credit bearing hours that are accessible to individuals of multiple educational and ability levels. The Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR) allows for entry level into the profession and provides a clear scope of advancement within the field as educational and professional development increases. Professional development opportunities are available throughout the state and are inclusive of a vast array of topics readily available both in person and online formats. These include topics on working with children of all ages and developmental stages, as well as differing abilities. A multitude of courses are available that include working with children, families and staff with cultural differences including the Native American population. These include communication and conflict resolution, culture and families, cultures in the classroom, and language development in non-mainstream cultures. In addition, courses are not only available in Spanish language, but also on basic Spanish in the classroom and learning basic Spanish. Specialized training is on available working with children experiencing trauma, English learners, homelessness and many others. Certificate of Achievement and Stipends are available for providers who complete focused formal education in many topics included those for Infant/Toddler, Preschool, School Age, Approaches to Managing Challenging Behavior, and Childhood Resiliency. Program personnel from tribal programs participate in the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry with all courses available to receive training hours, are approved educators providing education throughout the state who develop and teach their own curriculum. Tribal program personnel are also eligible to participate in the professional development stipend program. All of these are intended to educate and better equip the child care professional on working with all children. The Lead Agency has invested in required entry level training being made available in Spanish and the Pyramid Model for Social and Emotional Development. 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: Through the Lead Agency website https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services/parents-families/child- development.html information is available relating to child observation and assessment. Providers may also take the Oklahoma Early Learning Guidelines training which increases knowledge of typical child development and growth. Available through the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR), additional trainings are available for development stages and held quarterly is an in person Focused Portfolio advanced training that includes information on developmental screenings. Also, through the Oklahoma Child Care Warmline, referrals can be given to Oklahoma Sooner Start.