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ACRDC Head Start and the Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center (ACATEC) have created a partnership that will profit the quality of child development services in Allegan County both today and for years in the future.

Initiated this school year, with the NEW ACATEC Child Development Course of study,  students seeking their Child Development Accreditation (CDA)are going right into the Head Start Classrooms and having the opportunity to work with and learn first-hand from experienced Head Start Teachers.

“This is a win-win situation and fits the mission of our two organizations,” shared Nick Westra, ACATEC Director. “For the ACATEC, we are able to offer our students the chance to learn first-hand, in the work place, from some of the best providers in the county.”

“Further”, continues Westra,” We are serving the need of our county for more childcare providers who are highly qualified and accredited.”

Student who complete the ACATEC class and are 17, are legally able to work in a licensed center in Michigan, including becoming Head Start Center Assistants and/or Teacher Assistants. Having their CDA portfolio is an additional bonus. Many students plan to go on to post-secondary education to achieve an Associates Degree and/or Elementary Education BA teaching degree wit a ZA (early childhood) endorsement. Head Start Teacher generally have BA Degrees in Early Childhood Development.

“This is a very unique partnership,” says Cathy Farnsworth, Head Start Director. “There is a huge need for quality childcare providers in our county, and a need for qualified child development staff in Head Start who have their CDA. Head Start experiences a significant amount of turnover annually and having a pool of trained, qualified applicants will make my job easier and will good for the children.”

Head Start current is experiencing a 25% turnover in center assisting staff.

 This win-win situation means:

·         More volunteers in the classrooms

·         Better adult-child ratio

·         Students want to be there and really “get involved”

·         Students learn first hand what is required to be a quality child development provider

·         Children can see good teenage /young adult role models

·         More individualized attention for each child

·         Students are trained,  screened, experienced, and ready to be hired when they complete their course of study

“Beginning next school year, the ACATEC Child Development Program hopes to add to the current partnership by having Head Start employees also attend classes at the Tech Center”,  explains Sally Henderson, ACATEC Child Development Instructor. “The purpose would be to acquire the coursework they need to get their CDA certification.”

The ACATEC classes allow a student to complete 90% of their requirements to received CDA Accreditation. They achieve everything but the parent evaluation component, which they can secure when they are 18 years of age and working in a paid program.

“For students going on into post-secondary education to the achieve either their associates degree or become school teachers, this class gives them a tremendous head start and work-based experience, and will allow them to articulate (receive college credit for) some introductory level classes”, shares Henderson.

For more information or to visit a classroom and talk to teachers and students, contact those listed above and Nick Westra, ACATEC Director, at 269.673.3121.