Infant Toddler PreschoolYouth DevelopmentalDirectorFamily ChildcareInclusionTechnical Assistance
Maine has developed statewide credentialing options for practitioners who wish to focus their training, coursework, and professional experience on the delivery of care and education to a specific age group or population. Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network administers these Maine Credentials.
Testimonials
The following is a short video including testimonials from Maine Early Childhood Educators who have been awarded Maine State Credentials.
Each Maine Credential requires the following components:
- Documentation of specific training and/or education requirements.
- Submission of evidence documenting understanding and mastery of the competencies defined in each Maine Credential.
- Feedback or other documentation regarding the practitioner’s engagement with families.
- An on-site visit consisting of an observation and/or interview.
MRTQ PDN convenes Review Teams quarterly – in January, April, July, and October – to review Maine Credential applications.
Credential Cohorts Credential Renewal Applications
Infant Toddler Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services, has developed the Maine Infant Toddler Credential in response to the nationwide movement to recognize and support the professional development needs of infant and toddler caregivers.
Infant Toddler Credential Lead
Theresa Fisk
theresa.fisk@maine.edu 207-956-2070
Preschool Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services, has developed the Maine Preschool Credential in response to the nationwide movement to recognize and support the professional development needs of preschool caregivers.
Preschool Credential Lead
Preschool Credential Lead
heather.jones@maine.edu 207-290-0166
Youth Development Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services and the Maine Afterschool Network, has developed the Maine Youth Development Credential to provide additional, specialized professional development opportunities for practitioners working with school age children and youth in Maine.
Youth Development Credential Lead
Diane Hancock
diane.hancock@maine.edu
207-560-7325
Director Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services, has developed the Maine Director Credential with the understanding that a director’s ability to work effectively with teaching staff and families and to support programmatic quality are linked to education, experience, and skills related to professionalism. This credential is also designed to support the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Alternative Pathway for Program Administrators pursuing national accreditation.
Director Credential Lead
Kellie Davis
kellie.davis@maine.edu
207-653-3570
Family Child Care Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services, has developed the Maine Family Child Care Credential in response to a nationwide movement to support the professional development of Family Child Care Providers. The specialized training and professional activities within this credential have been designed to support practitioners to deliver high-quality programming to children and families throughout Maine. This credential has been designed to offer multiple pathways for practitioners who have received other Maine credentials.
Family Child Care Credential Lead
Tammy Dwyer
tammy.dwyer@maine.edu
207-956-2937
Inclusion Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, has developed the Maine Inclusion Credential to help practitioners build the skills, knowledge, resources, and attitudes to offer care to all children in an inclusive environment.
Inclusion Credential Lead
Tracey Miller
tracey.n.miller@maine.edu-
Technical Assistance Credential
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, and Kennebec Valley Community Action Program developed the Maine Technical Assistance Credential in recognition that the best professional development provides practitioners with continuous learning activities that are aligned with each other and include technical assistance approaches that support the implementation of evidence-based practices.
The Maine Technical Assistance Credential has been developed with the understanding that when Technical Assistance (TA) professionals have appropriate knowledge and experience in specific subject matter, an understanding of adult learning, and both the knowledge and skills in technical assistance pedagogy, they can more effectively support others in their ongoing professional learning. The Credential has been designed to promote and incorporate all of these integral factors and was based on the Technical Assistance Competencies for Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce. This credential is designed for TA professionals who act as a mentor, coach, consultant, and/or peer-to-peer network facilitator who are able to document specific knowledge, skills, dispositions, training, and experience required by this credential.
Maine’s Technical Assistance Competencies Technical Assistance Competencies Self-Assessment Checklist
Technical Assistance Credential Lead
Robin Holman
robin.holman@maine.edu
207-956-2410
Credential Cohorts
Have you met the eligibility requirements including completing the necessary training* to apply for a Maine credential but are having trouble getting motivated on your own?
Does the process of compiling a portfolio seem like a daunting task?
An MRTQ PDN Credential Cohort might be just what you’re looking for!
The cohort model follows the premise that peer learning can be a positive influence on advancing progress towards identified and shared goals, and participation is FREE!
Participants have met eligibility requirements for the credential and have completed the required credential training* and are prepared to compile their portfolio with the goal of applying for a Maine Credential. Each cohort is specific to one of the Maine Credentials: Family Child Care, Infant/Toddler, Youth Development, Director, Inclusion, Preschool or Technical Assistance.
Cohorts provide an opportunity to develop shared understandings of the credential process. Cohorts span a timeframe of 6 months with 2-hour monthly meetings. During cohort meetings, the group will discuss and consider the documentation needed to meet each of the portfolio requirements. Meetings are an opportunity to report progress, offer encouragement, brainstorm with each other and discuss challenges and accomplishments. The facilitator has in-depth knowledge of the individual credential competencies and application process, including the contents of the portfolio.
Participation in an MRTQ PDN credential cohort is voluntary and does not guarantee that the participant will be awarded a Maine Credential.
Credential Cohort Participant Overview