At a time when everything seemed to have come to a standstill, the West Virginia University Extension Service Family and Community Development unit forged ahead to provide career development and continuing education opportunities for child care professionals in partnership with the West Virginia State Training And Registry System program.
Formally held as in-person trainings, WVU Extension Service experts worked with local partners to transition the sessions to an engaging, interactive online format using Zoom. Throughout the course of the 12 training sessions, professionals in the child care industry learned to foster family relationships, create inclusion and diversity, and promote a bias-free environment in their classrooms.
“The child care profession is a vital piece in our communities—particularly, during trying times,” Kerri Carte, WVU Extension Service Family and Community Development assistant program director and Kanawha County agent, said. “Offering these career development opportunities allows these professionals to continue providing quality care, education and support for our state’s children, families and communities.”
WVU Extension Service Family and Community Development experts provided training on topics such as family relations, father engagement, creative play, school-age virtual school, STEM, nutrition, addiction, self-care and more—all highly relevant matters when individuals are experiencing additional challenges and stresses due to the pandemic.
Participants in the West Virginia STARS training sessions could earn up to 12 continuing education credits at no cost—a true value that continues to build the child care workforce.
“Classes like these, especially when everyone is experiencing so much frustration over ‘what we could do if...,’ are so important,” participant Micha Webb, program director at Zion Child Development Center, said. “They allow us to continue moving forward in an atmosphere that is conducive only to standing still.”
For more information about WVU Extension Service, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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lw/12/4/20
CONTACT: Lindsay Wiles
Communications Specialist, Sr.
WVU Extension Service
304-293-9490; lindsay.wiles@mail.wvu.edu