Professional Development Strategies

A professional development system is a comprehensive framework of professional preparation and ongoing learning support for early childhood and school-age professionals across a variety of roles, settings and sectors. Professional development encompasses the methods of relationship-based professional development, training as well as higher education.

Relationship-Based Professional Development

Relationship-based professional development (RBPD) is defined as using professional relationships as a primary method to support the growth and development of adult learners. RBPD is a framework that uses a cycle of inquiry to facilitate the adult-learning process by taking individuals through steps of goal setting, observation, assessment, action planning, reflection and feedback.

Standards for Relationship-based Professionals

RBPD standards describe the foundational skills and knowledge that professionals must have in order to apply reflective, relationship-based strategies to job-related improvements.

State-Approved Training

State-approved training offers ongoing learning opportunities to support early learning professionals in mastering the core competencies, foundational concepts in child and youth development and program administration.

Trainers may offer in-service (STARS) hours by:

  • Providing workshops
  • Hosting online trainings
  • Facilitating professional learning communities

Interested in becoming a State-approved Trainer?

If you are interested in become a state-approved trainer, we invite you to complete the trainer approval process.

Trainer Approval Process instructions | Spanish

Guiding Frameworks

The DCYF professional development system is built upon the guiding frameworks.

State-approved trainers must use these to make decisions regarding training development & delivery.