Section 1. Definitions.

922 KAR 2:240. Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential and training approval.

RELATES TO: KRS 164.518(3), 199.8941(4), 199.896(15) - (17), 199.8982(1)(a)6, (2), 200.151, 200.711, 42 U.S.C. 9831-9852

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 194A.050(1) requires the secretary to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to cooperate with other state and federal agencies for the proper administration of the cabinet and its programs. KRS 200.703(3) requires the cabinet to implement programs funded by the Early Childhood Development Authority. KRS 199.896(17) and 199.8982(3) require the cabinet to make available training for child care providers through the development or approval of a model training curriculum and training materials, including video instruction material. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for an individual to obtain a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential and identifies whom the credentialed individual may train.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Adult learning theory" means the concepts and principles that explain how adults gain knowledge and skills that result in relatively long-term changes in attitude and behavior.

(2) "Childcare health consultant" is defined in 902 KAR 4:130.

(3) "Child development associate" or "CDA" means the nationally recognized credential approved by the Council for Professional Recognition.

(4) "Full-time, paid experience" means working at least thirty (30) hours per week or the equivalent in an early care and education setting.

(5) "Trainer resource orientation" means a cabinet-approved training for a potential trainer as specified in Section 2(3) of this administrative regulation.

(6) "Trainer's seminar" means a cabinet-approved educational seminar which includes training as specified in Section 4 of this administrative regulation.

Section 2. Eligibility Criteria for the Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential.

An individual shall:

(1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(2) Have a high school diploma, or equivalent;

(3) Complete a two (2) hour trainer resource orientation that provides an overview of:

(a) Early care and education systems in Kentucky; and

(b) Resources available to assist early care and education professionals; and

(4) Have training or experience in the following topics of early care and education:

(a) Child growth and development;

(b) Health, safety, and nutrition;

(d) Learning environments and curriculum;

(e) Child assessments;

(f) Family and community partnerships; and

(g) Program management and evaluation.

Section 3. Application and Approval for a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential.

(1) An individual applying for a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall:

(a) Complete a "DCC-200, Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential Application", which includes documentation that the individual meets the education and work experience requirements for a training level as specified in Sections 5 through 10 of this administrative regulation; and

(b) Submit the required documents of paragraph (a) of this subsection to the cabinet or its designee.

(2) Upon approval of the application described in subsection (1) of this section, the cabinet or its designee shall award the individual a:

(a) Letter of approval; and

(b) Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential for a training level specified in Sections 5 through 10 of this administrative regulation.

(3) Until the renewal of a credential, a credentialed trainer shall maintain the same level of credential as the trainer held prior to the adoption of this administrative regulation.

Section 4. Trainer's Seminar.

An individual requesting a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential for levels two (2) through five (5) shall complete a fifteen (15) hour trainer's seminar consisting of the following areas:

(1) Principles of learning and barriers to learning;

(2) Ethics and professionalism;

(3) Assessment strategies;

(4) Learning styles and cultural differences;

(5) Designing and planning presentations;

(6) Strategies for instruction;

(7) Group dynamics and activities;

(8) Creating and maintaining positive learning climates; and

(9) Effecting change in behavior.

Section 6. Level 2 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential Requirements.

(1) For a Level 2 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential, an individual shall:

(a) Have:

1.a. A CDA; and

b. Three (3) years of full-time, paid experience, or equivalent, as approved by the cabinet in the early care and education field; or

2. Ten (10) years of full-time, paid experience in a field related to early care and education as approved by the cabinet and formal early care and education training consisting of at least:

a. Forty-five (45) clock hours;

b. Four and one-half (4.5) continuing education units; or

c. Three (3) college credit hours;

(b) Cotrain at least twelve (12) hours with a level four (4) or five (5) trainer before training solo; and

(c) Complete the trainer's seminar requirements as specified in Section 4 of this administrative regulation, or equivalent, approved by the cabinet or its designee.

(2) An individual who is awarded a level two (2) Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential may provide training to an individual who is training to meet the:

(a) Training requirements as specified in KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, or 2:250;

(b) Final sixty (60) hours required for the CDA if cotraining with a Level 4 or Level 5 credentialed trainer; or

Section 7. Level 3 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential Requirements.

(1) For a Level 3 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential, an individual shall:

(a) Have:

1. Three (3) years of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and:

a. An associate degree in early care and education; or

b. The equivalent of thirty (30) credit hours in early care and education coursework;

2. One (1) year of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and a bachelor's degree in a field related to early care and education;

3. Ten (10) years of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and a bachelor's degree in a field not related to early care and education; or

4. An associate degree in nursing, dietetics, or other cabinet-approved related field, if a childcare health consultant; and

(b) Complete the trainer's seminar requirements as specified in Section 4 of this administrative regulation, or equivalent, as approved by the cabinet or its designee.

(2) An individual who is awarded a level three (3) Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential may provide training to an individual who is training to meet the:

(a) Training requirements as specified by KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, or 2:250;

(b) Requirements of the CDA; or

Section 8. Level 4 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential Requirements.

(1) For a Level 4 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential, an individual shall:

(a) Have:

1. One (1) year of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and a bachelor's degree in early care and education;

2. One (1) year of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and:

a. A bachelor's degree in a field related to early care and education; and

b. The equivalent of three (3) credit hours in child development;

3. At least ten (10) years of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and:

a. A bachelor's degree in a field not related to early care and education; and

b. The equivalent of three (3) credit hours in child development; or

4. A bachelor's degree in nursing, dietetics, or other cabinet-approved related field, if a childcare health consultant; and

(b) Complete the trainer's seminar requirements as specified in Section 4 of this administrative regulation, or equivalent, as approved by the cabinet or its designee.

(2) An individual who is awarded a Level 4 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential may provide training to an individual who is training to meet the:

(a) Training requirements as specified in KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, or 2:250;

(b) Requirements of the CDA; or

Section 9. Level 5 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential Requirements.

(1) For a Level 5 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential, an individual shall:

(a) Have one (1) year of full-time, paid experience in the early care and education field and a:

1. Master's degree or higher in early care and education;

2. Master's degree in a field related to early care and education with three (3) credit hours in child development; or

3. Master level degree in nursing, dietetics, or other related field, if a childcare health consultant; and

(b) Complete the trainer's seminar requirements as specified in Section 4 of this administrative regulation, or equivalent, as approved by the cabinet or its designee.

(2) An individual who is awarded a Level 5 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential may provide training to an individual who is training to meet the:

(a) Training requirements as specified in KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, and 2:250;

(b) Requirements of the CDA; or

Section 10. Specialty Level Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Requirements.

(1) To receive a Specialty Level Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential, an individual shall have in their area of expertise:

(a) A license, certificate, or credential; and

(b) Three (3) years of related experience.

(2) A Specialty Level Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer may provide training in their approved area of expertise to an individual who is training to meet the:

(a) Training requirements as specified in KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, and 2:250;

(b) Requirements of the CDA; or

Section 11. General Training Requirements.

(1) Except for an employee of a child care center program authorized by 42 U.S.C. 9831-9852, no owner or employee holding a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall train an employee of the same child care center or family care home to meet the training requirements:

(a) In KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, or 2:250;

(b) The CDA; or

(2) The cabinet may monitor training events for compliance with this administrative regulation.

(3) A trainer shall have a current Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential to be eligible to train individuals to meet the:

(a) Training requirements as specified in KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(1)(a)6 and (2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210 or 2:250;

(b) Requirements of the CDA; or

(4) A training sponsored by an accredited educational institution that is authorized to award various degrees, such as, bachelor's, master's, or doctor's, is not required to possess a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential.

Section 12. Renewal of a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential. (1) A Level 1 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall:

(a) Be valid for three (3) years; and

(b) Not be renewable.

(2) A Level 2 through Level 5 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential and Specialty Level Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall be renewed every three (3) years.

(3) A trainer renewing a Level 2 through Level 4 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall submit to the cabinet or its designee:

(a) A completed DCC-200; and

(b) Documentation of forty-five (45) hours of continuing education since the previous issue date of credential to include:

1. Fifteen (15) hours in adult learning theory; and

2. Thirty (30) hours in early care and education.

(4) A trainer renewing a Level 5 Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall submit to the cabinet or its designee a completed DCC-200.

(5) A trainer renewing a Specialty Level Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall submit to the cabinet or its designee:

(a) A completed DCC-200; and

(b) Proof of current license, certificate, or credential in the trainer's area of expertise.

(6) Upon receipt and approval of the required documentation of subsections (3) through (5) of this section, the cabinet or its designee shall award the individual a:

(a) Letter of approval; and

(b) Renewed Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential for the appropriate level.

Section 13. Denial of Application or Renewal.

(1) The cabinet shall deny a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential, if the individual fails to comply with:

a. Sections 2 through 4 of this administrative regulation; and

b. Section 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 of this administrative regulation.

(2) The cabinet shall not renew a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential for an individual who fails to comply with Section 12 of this administrative regulation.

(3) Individuals denied a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential have the right to request a review of the denial by the Commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services or designee.

Section 15. Approval of Conferences, Seminars, and Institutes.

(1) Conferences, seminars, and institutes using an individual not holding a current Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall be registered through the cabinet for approval to train for:

(a) Training requirements as specified in KRS 199.896(15) and (16), 199.8982(2), 922 KAR 2:100, 2:110, 2:170, 2:180, 2:210, and 2:250;

(b) Requirements of the CDA; or

(2) Each training event using a trainer not approved for a Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer's Credential shall apply thirty (30) days prior to the date of the event. The cabinet shall make a determination within ten (10) working days of receipt of a complete application.

(3) An individual applying for a conference, seminar, or institute shall submit:

(a) A description of the event including;

1. Agenda;

2. Training topics; and

3. Overall objectives;

(b) Event's relevance to early care and education as described in Section 2(4) of this administrative regulation; and

(4) Trainers shall be identified and a resume or vita shall be attached to the application described in subsection (3)(c) of this section.

(5) Approval for each invited speaker, keynote speaker, and platform participant shall apply only to the event approved by the cabinet.

(6) If a nationally-recognized organization holds a conference, seminar, or institute related to early care and education as described in Section 2(4) of this administrative regulation, the cabinet may:

(a) Issue preapproval; and

(b) Make a list of preapproved conferences, seminars, and institutes available to the public.