Child Development Associate Certification
Program Overview
The CDA® is a credential that early childhood educators can earn to demonstrate certain competencies and, in turn, can help them advance their careers. The Child Development Associate credential is carefully administered to ensure that those who earn it know how to put important Early Childcare Education (ECE) understandings into practice. Our CDA educators know how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual and social development of children.

Guidelines
Participants must meet the following guidelines for enrollment:
- Attend an orientation
- Detroit residents only
- PATH participants only
- Have high school diploma, GED, or is enrolled in high school completion program
Ready to get started?
Program Components
Benefits of working in sector:
- Head Start programs
- State, local, and private schools.
- Individual, family, non-profit services.
- Religious, grant making, professional and similar organizations.
- Child daycare services.
FAQ
What is PATH?
Who is eligible to participate in PATH?
Participants must receive Family Independence Program (FIP) cash assistance – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – and are assigned to PATH through MWAs.
For more information please visit
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_95539_64361_64535-299255–,00.html
How is this certification recognized?
The CDA credential is a nationally recognized certification administered through the Council of Professional Recognition https://www.cdacouncil.org/. The Council for Professional Recognition sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, publishes the Competency Standards and other materials used for CDA credentialing, and administers the assessment.
For more information please contact:
Kimisha Jackson
313-526-4000 Ext. 1247 or kjackson@matrixhs.org