MOSAC2: The Missouri School Age Community Coalition

The Youth Development Credential

Child Growth and Development Program

Penn Valley Community College
(One of the Metropolitan Community Colleges)
3201 Southwest Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64111

The Youth Development Credential is an opportunity for adults working with school-age children to gain professional recognition for demonstrating their competence and knowledge as they work in youth serving programs.

Why Was a Youth Development Credential Established?

Since the inception of the public school system, the human landscape has drastically changed. The need for extended programs to fill the hours youth spend alone has been recognized on a local, sate, and federal levels. Programs and services for youth have increased.

As the number of children in afterschool programs continues to grow, parents deserve to know that the persons to whom they entrust their children for up to six hours per day (as many hours as children spend in the traditional classroom) are well trained. Research has shown that the quality of a program depends on the quality of the staff members.

It is for this reason, that the Missouri School Age Community Coalition (MOSC2) has developed the Youth Development Credential. As a Candidate works toward the credential they will embark on a rewarding professional experience as they:

* have the opportunity to reflect on their work with youth;

* improve their knowledge and skills that are satisfying for themselves and beneficial for the youth in their care;

* grow as a professional in a recognized field that continues to offer career opportunities;

* earn a professional Credential from a recognized statewide professional organization for school age youth.

How Do I Earn My Credential?

1. Order the Assessment Packet from MOSAC2. ($25.00)

2. Secure the help of an Advisor to mentor you through the Assessment Process.

3. Complete the 120 clock hours of training requirements. (1 college credit hr = 15 clock hrs.)

4. Create a Professional Resource Portfolio.

5. Have parents complete an Opinion Questionnaire.

6. Have the YDC Assessment Observation Instrument completed.

7. Contact MOSAC2 to send a Representative to administer the Youth Development Studies Review and Oral Interview.

8. Receive the Credential from MOSAC2, if successful completion of all steps have been met and you prove your competence in specific competency standards.

What Are The Competency Standards In Which I Must Be Proficient?

Goal 1. Be able to establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.

Goal 2. Be able to advance physical and intellectual competence.

Goal 3. Be able to support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance.

Goal 4. Be able to establish positive and productive relationships with families.

Goal 5. Be able to ensure a well-run, puposeful program responsive to participant needs.

Goal 6. Be able to maintain a commitment to professionalism.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements?

To be eligible to apply for the Youth Development Credential, the Candidate must meet the following requirements:

1. Be 18 years old or older.

2. Hold a high school diploma or GED.

3. Have 480 hours of experience working with shcool-age youth within the past 5 years.

4. Have 120 clock hours of formal school-age education and/or training within the past 5 years.

What are the Training Requirements?

Candidates must document a total of 120 clock hours, with no fewer than 10 hours in specified content areas. Clock hours can be earned in a wide variety of ways: college classes, workshops granting CEUs, Resource & Referral Agencies, and other approved agency trainings.

Content Areas:

1. Planning a safe, healthy environment to invite learning.

2. Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development.

3. Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development.

4. Strategies to establish productive relationships with families.

5. Strategies to manage an effective program operation.

6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism.

7. Observing and recording children's behavior.

8. Principles of child growth and development.

Candidates may accumulate the hours from a single training provider or from a combination of providers. Each agency/organization must provide verification of the Candidate's education in the form of a transcript certificate or letter.

All of the training hours must be completed under the auspices of an agency or organization with expertise in school-age care and teacher preparation.

For an application form, download ydcapp.doc

The Missouri School Age Community Coalition is a non-profit organization that supports and unifies professionals in providing quality out-of-school programs.

Copyright © 2006 - 2009 The Missouri School Age Community Coalition.
All rights reserved.
PO Box 736• Columbia MO 65205
Phone (877) MYMOSAC2