| |
Training and Technical Assistance Division & Regional
Key
The Capital Area Early Childhood Training Institute (CAECTI)
ecti.hbg.psu.edu
CAECTI has become a broad-based state resource in the provision
of training, outreach, and research to parents and care providers
of children birth to five years of age. CAECTI has an advisory
board of prominent community leaders and advocates for children
that plays a very active role in charting its goals and initiatives.
CAECTI serves a seven-county area (Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster,
Lebanon, York, Franklin and Adams Counties) of south central Pennsylvania
and works in conjunction with other training organizations, childcare
centers, and public and private agencies that serve children and
families to ensure high-quality, well-coordinated training for
childcare providers in this region.
The four primary goals of CAECTI are to:
- Coordinate and develop training opportunities for parents and
childcare providers
- Disseminate information to parents and childcare providers
regarding training opportunities
- Serve as advocates for high-quality infant and toddler training
opportunities in the region
- Serve as a regional clearinghouse for infant and toddler training
information.
CAECTI develops and coordinates training sessions throughout the
region, including: on-site mentoring and consultative sessions;
workshops for caregivers and parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers;
seminars and certificate programs for directors of childcare programs;
and an annual summer training institute. CAECTI advocates for and
helps develop high-quality early childhood education training programs
for childcare providers and parents throughout the region and the
state, and also coordinates with other early childhood training
institutes and initiatives. Finally, CAECTI has conducted ongoing
evaluation research of its programs and other childcare programs
in Pennsylvania and these reports are available on the website.
Given its wide breadth of ongoing contact with childcare facilities
and parents, CAECTI also affords growing opportunities for Penn
State researchers..
CAECTI’s web site lists available training opportunities
in the seven-county area, as well as links to other web sites containing
information for parents and care providers. Visit the online
statewide training calendar to access current training information
for your county, www.papathways.org.
Keystone STARS
The Capital Area Early Childhood Training Institute serves as
the Regional Key in partnership with Child Care Consultants of
York County, the STARS Technical Assistance Coordinator for South
Central Regional Key, which includes the seven counties: Dauphin,
Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Franklin and Adams. As the
STARS TA organization, CAECTI coordinates and provides consultation
services to childcare providers in this region that have been accepted
as participants in the Keystone Stars Program and have a star designation.
By completing a one-page request form, Keystone Stars facilities
have the opportunity to request consultation services in support
of their successful achievement of a higher star rating. STARS
Technical Assistance services are available at no cost to childcare
providers participating in the Keystone Stars Program. CAECTI staff
collaborate with other experts in the early childhood field in
offering consultation services to these facilities. In addition,
CAECTI partners with the Penn State Department of Human Development
and Family Studies and the STARS TA Organization for the Central
Regional Key, a 16-county area that includes: Somerset, Bedford,
Fulton, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Centre, Clinton,
Lycoming, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia
counties.
For more information on STARS Technical Assistance, please contact
Kathy Stennett, STARS TA Coordinator for the south central region
at (717) 236-6108 or by email at kes21@psu.edu. Also,
visit the state website at www.pakeys.org for
details on the Keystone STARS Quality Initiative Program. |
|
