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East Stroudsburg University is among four institutions of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education that secured $5.9 million in federal funds through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) under the Department of Health Services (DHS) in order to develop credit-bearing coursework for early childcare providers (birth to age five specifically) in order to “redirect … existing federal funds to establish six Early Care and Education Professional Development Organizations to implement a system of professional development that will transform the early care and education workforce for their respective regions,” according to the funding application.

“I am extremely proud of this initiative,” states Dr. Terry Barry, dean of the ESU’s College of Education. “This initiative will offer significant advancement to those who have been or intend to pursue a career in childcare. All of us at ESU look forward to working with our counterparts within the State System to make these opportunities for those who work with young learners.”

ESU’s Assistant Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Laureen Nelson, worked with counterparts at Lock Haven University, Shippensburg University and Edinboro University to submit a grant proposal that would offer care providers and preschool teachers needed opportunities for coursework that may lead to certificates and degrees, strengthening the early childhood field. Together, these four institutions will create an Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization model that connects four HUB areas across the state to serve as a mode to advance services and outreach through every PASSHE institution.

“This is a significant change for the field of birth to 5 early childhood education,” notes Nelson. “Up until now those who worked with very young children were required to complete training hours to move up in their positions and for their centers to move up in quality ratings. It was determined that instead of workshops, care providers and preschool teachers needed opportunities for credit-bearing coursework that may lead to certificates and degrees therefore strengthening the field overall. By collaborating across the commonwealth we are hoping to maximize their opportunities and be sure access is available to all who need it. We are committed to developing a strong system for those who work in early learning and to the children and families across the state of Pennsylvania.