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"What's done to children, they will do to society."
~ Karl Menninger
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> Home > CURRENT WORK > Parent Educator Credential > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do community colleges access experience and training for college credit?
Can volunteers or people that are not currently employed apply for the credential?
Professionals in the field of parenting education have a variety of credentials in specific curriculums and also in related fields. How is this credential different?
What organization or agency will be administering the credential?
Who will pay for training and for the credential fee?
Why a parenting educator credential?
Why is it the right time to develop a credential?
Will diplomas or degrees from other countries be recognized as fulfilling the education requirement?
Do community colleges access experience and training for college credit?
Many community colleges offer an opportunity to CLEP a course which means that experience and training are accessed to determine if course goals have been sufficiently met.
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Can volunteers or people that are not currently employed apply for the credential?
Anyone who has the necessary requirements of the credential may apply regardless of whether or not they are currently employed.
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Professionals in the field of parenting education have a variety of credentials in specific curriculums and also in related fields. How is this credential different?
The goal of the parenting educator credential is to professionalize the role of parenting educators as distinct from other human services. For example, staff in NAEYC accredited early care and education facilities will have training and experience that will be relevant to the parenting educator credential. Training in specific research based parenting education curriculum will certainly be part of a candidates training hours. The CT-PEN credential is built on the content and skills in the National Extension Parenting Education Model (NEPEM) and Framework (NEPEF).
http://www.cyfernet.org/parenting_practices/preface.html - This site will take you to the full NEPEM report if you choose to look at it. NEPEM focuses on the skills and knowledge that all parents need to raise healthy, capable children and it is therefore what parenting educators need to know how to teach.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/NEPEF/ - This is the Framework site which explains the skills that parenting educators should have.
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What organization or agency will be administering the credential?
This question will be addressed in the next phase of this process. The original goal was to create a draft of the credential. The next phase of this process will include more of the specifics in regard to administration and development of more training opportunities.
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Who will pay for training and for the credential fee?
Each agencies' policies, protocols and procedures will continue to be determined by the individual agencies.
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Why a parenting educator credential?
As you know parents are the primary influences in outcomes for their children, including physical health, psychological well-being and educational success.
Child abuse and neglect continue to be a significant challenge in Connecticut.
Parenting is a learned skill that can be strengthened through study and experience.
Our work is critical to the well being of children and families. Like teachers and social workers, parenting educators must be recognized as professionals.
Since CT-PEN's first statewide conference seven years ago, parenting educators have told us that they are not adequately supported, recognized or compensated.
We have heard you and the proposed credential is the first important step in changing those conditions.
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Why is it the right time to develop a credential?
The Action Agenda of the Governor's Early Childhood Cabinet includes family support as a critical element in school readiness and other early childhood outcomes.
The Department of Social Services is developing a statewide Strategic Plan for Infants and Toddlers that will include parenting education and support.
The Department of Children and Families plans to create and maintain a statewide comprehensive system to promote the healthy development and well-being of children, youth, and families.
The State Legislature will soon require that all state human service departments to commit 10% of budgets to prevention services.
CT State Departments, the state legislature and funders are focusing much more on outcomes and accountability in general. The credential will assure parents, other professionals, and funding agencies that credential holders are qualified to deliver effective parenting education. The credential will also strengthen Parenting Educators' abilities to work from evidence based materials and frameworks.
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Will diplomas or degrees from other countries be recognized as fulfilling the education requirement?
Diplomas and/or degrees from other countries need to be validated as being equivalent to a diploma and/or degree in the United States. There are several corporations that provide this service.
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