Professional Development Strategies

A professional development system is a way to help people who work with young children and school-age kids learn and grow in their jobs. It includes training, college courses, and learning through working with others. It supports people in many roles and settings. 

Relationship-Based Professional Development (RBPD)

RBPD is a way of learning that focuses on building strong professional relationships. These relationships help adults learn and improve their skills. RBPD uses a cycle to support learning. This cycles includes:

  • Setting goals
  • Observing 
  • Assessing progress
  • Making a plan
  • Reflecting on what happened
  • Getting feedback

Read more about the RBPD vision.

Standards for RBPD Professionals

These standards explain what professionals need to know and do to use relationship-based strategies and improve their work.

Resources include:

State-Approved Training

State-approved training gives early learning professionals chances to keep learning and building important skills. These include understanding how children grow and how to run programs. 

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

  • Leading workshops
  • Teaching online classes
  • Running professional learning groups

If you want to become a state-approved trainer, you will need to complete an approval process.

Instructions are available in:

English | Spanish | Somali

Guiding Frameworks

The DCYF professional development system is based on guiding frameworks. Trainers must use these frameworks when planning and delivering their training.