Family Development Credential(FDC) and Family Development Associate (FDA) Credential: What’s the difference and how do

1. Family Development Credential(FDC) andFamily Development Associate (FDA) Credential:What’s the difference and how do we start? Julia Beglane, FDC Virginia Head Start Association

2. FDC History The FDC program began in New York in the mid 1980’s. In 1990 a collaboration occurred between The New York State Department of State’s Community Service Block Grant, the New York State Council on Children and Families and Cornell University’s Empowering Families Project. This collaboration of agencies established the FDC training and credentialing program. From 1990 to present thousands of agencies and organizations in 18 State’s have adopted a strength based paradigm using the FDC.

3. History Continues… In 2006 the first FDC class was offered in Virginia at People Incorporated to a class of Head Start Family Service Workers, CHIP Home Visitors, Resource Mothers’ Workers and Early Head Start Home Visitors. Since 2006 94 people from 11 different Virginia agencies have gone through the FDC program. In October of 2009 the first Training Institute for FDC Instructors was held. There are now 14trained facilitators in the State of Virginia.

4. Looking to the Future… In January 2010, Clinch Valley Community Action, New River Community Action and VA Head Start Association became FDC local affiliate agencies under People Incorporated’s umbrella of the Lead State Agency for the Family Development Credential program. This allows these agencies to conduct their own FDC trainings. As of today, 13 agencies are participating in the program. Over 100 people received their credential. In spring of 2012, People Incorporated is planning to host a second FDC Instructor’s Training Institute.

5. Chapter Topics • Ch. 1 = Family Development: A Sustainable Route to Healthy Self-reliance • Ch. 2 = Communicating with Skill and Heart • Ch. 3 = Taking Good Care of Yourself • Ch. 4 = Diversity • Ch. 5 = Strengths-based Assessment • Ch. 6 = Helping Families Set and Reach Their Own Goals • Ch. 7 = Helping Families Access Specialized Services • Ch. 8 = Home Visiting • Ch. 9 = Facilitation Skills: Family Conferences, Support Groups, and Community Meetings • Ch. 10 = Collaboration

6. Portfolio Components 1. Activities to Extend Learning- a worker chooses three questions for each chapter and writes responses. The portfolio advisor provides feedback. 2. Skills Practice- The worker completes a skill from the chapter and writes a short reflection on the experience. The portfolio advisor provides feedback. 3. Family Development Plans- (an initial plan with two follow-up plans)- The worker completes with an agency family or colleague a plan with a goal and steps to achieve it. Then a reflection is written about the skills used to do this.

7. Portfolio and Credentialing Process To earn the FDC workers take the 90 hour course offered by People Inc. or other local affiliate agency. The course is facilitated by a trained FDC Instructor. There is 80 hours of class time and 10 hours of portfolio development. There is also an exam at the end of the course which requires a score of 80% for passing. Each participant has a Portfolio Advisor. It is recommended that each participant meet or talk with their advisor at lease once a weekduring the course.

8. So……What now? And how do I get this? • First, one agency per state can apply to become the lead state agency. The contact person is Lynn Notestine at Temple University. Then one person will be the state coordinator. You have to attend an Instructor's institute it's a week long training • There is a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) that this agency will sign with Temple. • After a lead agency is established every agency in the state must go through that agency to offer classes.

9. What is the VA Family Development Associate (FDA) Credential? • Registered apprenticeship credential (VA DOLI) • Developed through a partnership with: • R3 ACF - VA Collaboration Project • ICF International - R3 TA - VA Com. College System • VAHSA - VA DSS • People, Inc. of Southwest Virginia • Awarded to individuals who have completed a process involving: • on-the-job training and mentoring • related classroom instruction • the completion of a professional portfolio

10. FDA FAQs continued… What are the FDA Competency Goals? Nine (9) general competency areas for Head Start/EHS professionals working with families of young children established by OHS. • Establishing mutually respectful partnerships with families • Supporting families’ efforts to reach their goals. • Offering parents opportunities to be involved in group activities • Providing opportunities for family literacy services • Coordinating and integrating Head Start services • Supporting families in accessing other community resources • Assisting families in crisis • Respecting and responding competently to the culture • Maintaining a commitment to professionalism.

11. OJT Head Start Employee Coursework What are the FDA requirements? Portfolio

12. Head Start Employee Candidates: • Be employed by a Head Start or Early Head Start Program in the state of Virginia that has an approved apprenticeship program registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council (VAC). • Currently hold the position of Family Service Worker, Home Visitor, or a related position. • Must be registered as an active Apprentice with the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). www.doli.virginia.gov/index.html • Must have an assigned Supervisor (who meets the requirements for “Supervisor of Apprenticeship” as outlined by the VAC).

13. On the Job, Coursework, Portfolio • Complete 4,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training covering the nine (9) FDA competency goals based on current and prior experience. • Completion of a minimum of 288 hours of related classroom instruction over an average of a two-year period. • The development and completion of a professional portfolio demonstrating/reflecting and documenting the candidate’s work in achieving the nine (9) competencies.

14. On-the-job training (Work Process) FAMILY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (FDA) CREDENTIAL 195.107-018 WORK PROCESSES HOURS • ESTABLISH MUTUALLY RESPECTFULPARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. 500 • Conduct outreach, recruitment, and enrollment; • Provide orientation on philosophy of program and services provided; • Establish and maintain ongoing partnerships based on trust with families; • Communicate effectively using appropriate verbal and nonverbal messages and reflective listening skills; and 5. Implement strategies including home visits to learn about families and the changing community. • SUPPORT FAMILIES’ EFFORTS TO REACH THEIR GOALS. 1,000 1. Develop strengths-based assessments with families that describe their goals, strengths, resources and support networks, as well as necessary services and supports; • Develop, in partnership with the family, an individualized family plan; • Facilitate families’ problem-solving and teach problem-solving skills; • Coach, consult, educate and utilize counseling skills, where appropriate; • Advocate for the family and support them in advocating for themselves; • Follow-up with the family on the progress toward meeting their goals and any needed revisions to the plan; and • Assist with transitions to other programs, communities and schools.

15. Work Process Breakdown • Establishing mutually respectful partnerships with families. • Supporting families’ efforts to reach their goals. • Offering parents opportunities to be involved in group activities. • Providing opportunities for family literacy services. • Coordinating and integrating Head Start services. • Supporting families in accessing other community resources. • Assisting families in crisis. • Respecting and responding competently to the culture. • Maintaining a commitment to professionalism. TOTAL: 500 1,000 300 400 400 200 400 300 500 ____________ 4,000

16. Coursework (related studies) Option A: Community College Courses * Directions: Choose six (6) courses or 18 credit hours if utilizing Head Start training hours, OR choose seven (7) courses alone to obtain the required 21 credit hours (288 + clock hours). * Courses may apply toward career pathways of a Certificate or Associates Degree.

17. Course Map continued… Family Development Associate (FDA) Credential– Related Instruction Course Map D.O.T. 195.107-018 Option B Family Development Curriculum from Cornell University First Year Course Title Credits Cornell Curriculum (90 hours lecture) * Cornell Curriculum (40 hours lab) * Head Start Professional In-service 30 hours Total Related Instruction hours 160 * may be evaluated for College credit Second Year Choose four courses from the options above. Total Credits second year 12 *Cornell certificate (credits possibly apply toward Associates degree) Potential Cost for Option B = $950 per person for Cornell Curriculum and Credential (6 month timeframe), in addition to any remaining college course work.

18. Can I get credit for courses I have already taken or previous work experience? Yes. Up to five (5) years prior to enrolling into the program.

19. What a competency would look like: Competency#1: Establish mutually respectful partnerships with families to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities.

20. What is the Value of the FDA Credential? • Awarded to an individual rather than to a program or facility. • Candidate will be nationally recognized as a “journeyworker” with a portable credential. • Career pathway leading to a certificate, Associate’s Degree and beyond.

21. Questions??????

22. For additional information on the Virginia Family Development Associate Credential and the Family Development Credential check out our website at http://www.headstartva.org/staff/training.php Special Thanks to: Maxine McKinney Brandi Black Thacker Damon Manning Kathy Waller Jackie Beglane