1. Child Development Associate (CDA) Scholarship FY2009 Program Expansion
Board of Early Education and Care
October 14, 2008

2. CDA Scholarship Program Expansion
The FY2009 Budget earmarks $250,000 for Child Development Associate (CDA) scholarships (line item ).
CDA is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.
CDA = coursework + observation + evaluation.
Credentials are issued for family child care, center-based (infant/toddler and preschool), and home visiting.
Enables educators to meet:
EEC child care center qualifications for lead teacher;
CPC/UPK requirements for FCC.

3. CDA Scholarship FY2008 Program Information
EEC currently administers a scholarship program for eligible* educators to support CDA application costs.
Educators submit scholarship voucher to Council in lieu of payment.
171 applicants approved - 58% vouchers redeemed.
49% of applicants are FCC providers or approved FCC assistants.
~$30,150 paid to Council for vouchers/~$23,450 still outstanding.
*To be eligible for the CDA Scholarship applicants must be residence of Massachusetts, working in an EEC licensed or license-exempt program, and have a family income at or below 100% SMI.

4. CDA Scholarship Existing Program Challenges
Scholarship not well connected to other professional development initiatives, including academic support;
Educators seeking CDA may still have limited or no access to higher education institutions; and
Cost for the required education and observation components are not currently supported by the scholarship.

5. FY2009 CDA Scholarship Recommendation
EEC is proposing to:
Continue funding direct CDA Scholarships with enhanced outreach (~$50,000); and
Issue a competitive RFR (~$200,000) to establish new or expand existing CDA programs that can provide: a cohort model, academic support, and links to further professional development. Eligible programs:
currently award college credit for CDA coursework; or
have a relationship with a college that awards credit for CDA attainment; or
commit to developing a relationship with a college that will result in credit in the future (planning grant).

6. FY2009 CDA Scholarship Proposal: Recommendation
Proposal will:
Facilitate access to college for ECE educators in accordance with Governor’s Education Action Agenda;
Provide a continuum of professional development for ECE educators in agreement with EEC’s Workforce Development Plans;
Promote college credit for CDA as recommended by the EEC/OST Workforce Task Force;
Enable educators to meet EEC child care center qualifications and CPC/UPK requirements for FCC;
Support non-traditional students; and
Provide access to professional development opportunities for ELL educators as required in EEC’s updated enabling statute.