Deborah Roark Awarded Child Care Credential

Deborah Roark, Teacher Assistant at the PACE Head Start in Washington, has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The credential was awarded on November 1st by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. which represents early childhood education professionals.

The CDA is the only major national effort to improve childhood education and care by evaluation and recognition of the skills of individuals providing care. The first Credential was awarded over 30 years ago, and now 49 states plus the District of Columbia include CDA in their childcare licensing regulations. Every candidate for the CDA Credential is observed working with young children or families by an early childhood professional. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work with families to develop children's physical and intellectual capabilities in a safe and healthy learning environment.

The CDA Credential is having a positive effect on the quality of early childhood education and care. Its impact is evident in center-based and home visitor programs as well as family child care, the most common form of care for children under 5 years old. Pace Head Start is no exception. Kerry Kroeger, Head Start Site Manager, states “We are very proud of Debbie's hard work and dedication to her professional development and Pace Head Start.”