Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services and the Maine Afterschool Network, has developed the Maine Youth Development Credential to provide additional, specialized professional development opportunities for practitioners working with school age children and youth in Maine.
Competencies
The Maine Youth Development Credential requires applicants to demonstrate their understanding of the following competencies related to working with school age children and youth:
- Guidance toward healthy relationships
- Child and adolescent development
- Health, wellness, and safety
- Observation and assessment
- Curriculum and activities
- Learning environment
- Program planning and evaluation
- Cross-cultural competence
- Connecting with families, schools, and communities
- Professionalism
Requirements
Successful candidates for Maine’s Youth Development Credential will meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSet)
- Be a member of the MRTQ Registry
- Document at least 360 hours of experience with children ages 5 to 13 years over the past five years
- Complete the required training (see back panel)
- Distribute and collect written family surveys
- Be observed by a member of the Youth Development Credential Team
- Submit a complete Youth Development Credential Portfolio
Training
Applicants for the Maine Youth Development Credential must complete the following Maine Roads to Quality Core Knowledge Training:
- Working with School Age Children and Youth (30 hours)
- Your Professional Development Portfolio (9 hours)
- Creating Inclusive Youth Development Settings (30 hours)
- Links to Learning (45 hours)
- Foundations of Health, Wellness, and
- Safety (18 hours)
- Partners in Caring: Families and
- Caregivers (15 hours)
Each Maine Credential requires the following components:
- Documentation of specific training and/or education requirements.
- Submission of evidence documenting understanding and mastery of the competencies defined in each Maine Credential.
- Feedback or other documentation regarding the practitioner’s engagement with families.
- An on-site visit consisting of an observation and/or interview.
- MRTQ PDN convenes Review Teams quarterly – in January, April, July, and October – to review Maine Credential applications. For detailed information about the Maine Credentials, please click on a specific Credential above.
Renewing your credential?
For the application to renew your Maine Youth Development Credential, please click here.