The Competency Based Training and Assessment Program was given to CCNI by the University of Minnesota. Developed by the "U," the program is the only one we are aware of which strictly caters to family child care. There are four aspects to the program:

1. Small Group Workshops. - Providers meet with a small group trainer for about 30 hours. The trainer and other providers in the group share child care experiences and develop areas of competence. Providers are also observed in their homes, at their child care work, by trainers in order to note highly skilled areas and areas which needing improvement.

2. Large Group Workshops. - Providers attend training and/or watch tapes to receive credit for information in each of the competence areas.

3. Portfolio. - Providers develop a notebook or portfolio illustrating their skill in each of the competency areas.

4. Final Assessment. - When the above three portions have been completed, the final assessment will be done with the team (final assessment includes the team leader, trainers, providers, and parent representatives).

The following workshop schedule is based on a 50-hour program.

Health / Safety	2 1/2 hours
Nutrition	2 1/2 hours
Home Environment	5 hours
Child Development	10 hours
Learning Experiences	5 hours
Self-Concept	2 1/2 hours
Guiding Behavior	5 hours
Communication Skills	2 1/2 hours
Professional and Business Management	5 hours
Child Abuse and Neglect	10 hours

Another option is to add 2 1/2 hours to the "Self-Concept" module and reduce "Professional and Business Management" to 2 1/2 hours. We feel it is very important to have additional hours for child abuse and child development training, and we arrange to have professionals and specialists conduct those segments.

All small groups are be based on what is learned in the workshops and how the information can be applied to providers' daily work. The following is a suggested breakout totalling five hours:

Review Workshop Information	1 hour
Applications for One's Work	1 hour
Notebook Discussion	1 hour
General Discussion *	2 hours

* - Time divided for providers to work on their notebooks, share experiences, etc.

1. Two hour pre-observation: One hour of feedback with the trainee (or a three hour observation and then obtaining feedback in a small group, if time allows).

2. It is ideal to have five hours for the pre-observation. The trainer then can conduct a three-hour observation, give feedback on the observation, review the individual assessment worksheet with the trainee, and fill out the training plan. Otherwise, the individual assessment worksheet and training plan would be filled out at the first small group meeting.

3. Second observation: This is completed at end of training and just before applying for the Final Assessment.

1. The Final Assessment consists of an in-home observation by the team leader, who is a representative of the credentialing office.

2. An interview between the team leader and the trainee is conducted, based upon questions related to the competency areas.

3. A team meeting is included.

4. Completion of paperwork required by the credentialing school or college concludes the Final Assessment.

All of these steps occur on the same day, with the assessment team meeting usually lasting at least three hours. During this time the parent representative, the trainer, the trainee, and the assessment team leader must be present at all times.

The materials which each person brings to the meeting and the competency term paper will be reviewed and evaluated. If all are in unanimous agreement, the trainee is voted "competent." A certificate and college credits are issued by Worthington Community College, Worthington, Minnesota in Human Services 251: "Child Development Internship."