A group of practitioners who work together with a trained facilitator to share resources and support around obtaining a Maine Credential.
Maine Roads to Quality in Partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has developed credentials to promote early childhood workforce competence in the following areas: Family Child Care, Infant Toddler Care, Youth Development, Inclusive Care, Technical Assistance, and Leadership for Directors.
A person holding a Maine Credential is recognized as having knowledge, skill, and competence in the Credential focus area.
Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements for a credential (including completing training*), is prepared to compile their portfolio with the goal of applying for a Maine Credential, and agrees to the Memorandum of Agreement: Credential Cohort MOA.
*Or are enrolled in the final training
The eligibility requirements are listed in Section 3 of the Maine Credential information packets linked here:
If you’re interested in learning more about joining a Credential Cohort, please contact the Credential Team at mrtq.credentials@maine.edu
Yes, you need to be an ‘active’ member of the MRTQ Registry to join a Cohort.
Please contact the Registry staff at 1-888-900-0055 or mrtq.contact@maine.edu
Based on demand, new cohorts begin in October and April and convene for approximately 6 months. A person cannot join a credential cohort that is already in progress.
Cohorts meet monthly for up to 2 hours via video conference (Zoom) with possible in-person sessions as decided by the group (post pandemic).
In order to meet your submission timeline, in addition to the meeting time, there will be activities to complete between meetings (approximately 2-4 hours).
All MRTQ training must be within the required time limit (usually finished within the last 10 years) in order to participate in a cohort.
Training must be MRTQ PDN training as stipulated in the credential packet. There are also requirements for the amount of training to be completed before an individual is accepted into a cohort.
Attendees of the cohort meetings will receive MRTQ PDN professional growth activity hours which are accepted by Maine Child Care Licensing to meet yearly training requirements.
To participate in a cohort it is necessary to have reliable phone service and/or internet access as well as email.
During a cohort meeting, it is common to view and share documents via Zoom. Doing so via computer is recommended although some have been successful using a smartphone.
MRTQ PDN will do their best to support individuals who are lacking access to technology or who need additional supports to enable inclusion in the cohort.
Cohort participants are encouraged to join in discussions and share their experiences and expertise with their peers in the cohort. Cohorts are a safe, welcoming community. A participant would not be expected to speak in public outside of the cohort.
MRTQ PDN understands that there may be emergency situations where an individual is unable to attend or participate in a meeting. However, we highly encourage participants to miss no more than two meetings.
Yes, helping participants to create a professional portfolio is a goal of the cohort.
No, a person is not allowed to participate in two Credential Cohorts at the same time.