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Library: Policy

340:110-1-8.7. Professional development criteria

Revised 6-1-22

(a) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star center director professional development criteria.  No more than six hours of informal professional development, per Professional Development Ladder (PDL) certification may be counted in total hours.  Director qualifications listed in (1) through (4) of this subsection are required.

(1) Prior to star certification, the director has documentation of:

(A) at least two college credits or 30-clock hours of job-related professional development within the last 12 months or within current PDL certification, when applicable; and

(B) Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) orientation.

(2) When a new director is hired, the director has documentation of at least two college credits or 30-clock hours of job-related professional development within the last 12 months prior to employment.  A new director also completes QRIS orientation within 90-calendar days of hire date.

(3) When the new director does not have two college credits or 30-clock hours of professional development, the program is required to submit a written plan to Licensing staff for correcting the violation within 90-calendar days of hire date.

(4) In subsequent years, the director maintains documentation of at least two college credits or 30-clock hours of job-related professional development, per PDL certification.

(b) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star center personnel professional development criteria.  No more than six hours of informal professional development, per PDL certification may be counted in total hours.  Personnel qualifications listed in (1) through (3) of this subsection are required for all centers.

(1) At application, personnel employed at the program for at least 12 months and counted in staff-child ratio has at least two college credits or 20-clock hours of job-related professional development, per PDL certification.

(2) After initial certification approval, the professional development criteria of at least two college credits or 20-clock hours of job-related professional development is met within the personnel's PDL certification.

(3) Part-time personnel and substitutes having worked at the program more than 80 hours meet professional development requirements.  Personnel performing only auxiliary duties, such as cooking, transportation, or maintenance are exempt from this professional development requirement.

(c) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star primary caregiver professional development.  No more than six hours of informal professional development, per PDL certification may be counted in total hours.  Primary caregiver qualifications listed in (1) through (3) of this subsection are required for homes.

(1) Prior to star certification request, the primary caregiver has documentation of:

(A) at least two college credits or 20-clock hours of job-related professional development within the last 12 months or within current PDL certification, when applicable; and

(B) QRIS orientation.  New primary caregivers also complete QRIS orientation within 90-calendar days of hire date.

(2) After certification approval, the professional development criteria is met within the primary caregiver's PDL certification.

(3) The primary caregiver has a written educational professional development plan reviewed annually, updated as needed, and maintained on file at the program.

(d) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star home assistant caregiver professional development.  No more than six hours of informal professional development, per PDL certification may be counted in total hours.  Assistant caregiver qualifications listed in (1) and (2) of this subsection are required.

(1) Assistant caregivers employed for at least 12 months have documentation of at least two college credits or 20-clock hours of job-related professional development, per PDL certification.

(2) The assistant caregiver has a written educational professional development plan reviewed annually, updated as needed, and maintained on file at the program.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:110-1-8.7

Revoked 6-1-22

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