Credential Programs
Disabilities Services -
Administrators (30 units)
The
Credentialed Administrator
(CA)
program
is designed
for professionals who are responsible for implementing, managing, and monitoring regulations in a Head Start environment.
Candidates
enrolled in this program typically have 1
to 5 years experience administering disabilities services.
Due to the in-depth nature of this program level, candidates
should be knowledgeable about Head Start policies and
requirements in accordance to
the Federal regulations. The Credentialed Administrator program
is designed as a valid and reliable
measure of the candidates ability to design, develop and
implement Head Start systems. Candidates of the CA program will
acquire extensive knowledge of State regulations that
directly impact a program's ability to maintain
compliance. Candidates enrolled in this
credentialing program acquire a skill set which consist of
the best practices and procedural methods for
implementing regulations and handling Head Start
compliance during a federal review.
A credential at
HS University is an "educational process" of
establishing the qualifications of professionals
in Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant Head
Start, American Indian/Alaska Native and Early
Childhood employees. The process consists
of the attainment of a specific skill level and
knowledge of regulations and the assessing of
the candidate's educational background and
experience. A license is then awarded to the
professional who meets the standards set for the
credential. It signifies that a student
has enrolled, attended and successfully
completed the requirements of a specific family services
area within a Head Start program.
The specialist credential process usually takes about 3 months to complete and requires 15 credit
units.
The credential in
Disabilities Services Administrator credential is designed to
help students develop a “systems approach” to
monitoring disability services, reflecting the
vision articulated within the Performance
Standards and disabilities protocol that strong
systems are essential to maintaining program
quality. Under this approach, students will
learn how to identify a failure within
disabilities
service area and identify the underlying
problems in which federal review teams might
identify as a non-compliance finding. The
credential focuses on how systems, services, and
disability activities interact to create and
maintain quality support and services. The focus
of the credential will be on both the child and
family, using the regulations and best practices
to develop procedures and policies. This
credential is a holistic, multifaceted
credential that allows students to learn how to
integrate quality disability services and support systems. The credential uses
the disability
requirements as the core of the credential.
Students learn the provisions of establishing a
Head Start-based disability services program that emphasizes
a programmatic way of observing and recognizing
inclusion
in staff, children and families and directing
them to the best support services.
The credential in
Disabilities Services Administrator credential is designed for
students who want a concentration in the areas
of disability services in Head Start.
Credits earned can be used for transfer into the
Associates in Science degree - Health Services
Management program.
.
Learning
Outcomes
Upon successful
completion of all program requirements,
graduates will be able to:
|
1. |
Prepares you
to teach children with mild to severe
disabilities in Head Start |
|
2.
|
Prepares you
to teach in self-contained special and
general education |
|
3.
|
Prepares you
to teach children with English as first
or second language |
|
4.
|
Prepares you
for diversity of languages and cultures
in and among children and families |
|
5. |
Helps
students to meet the diverse needs of
all students and those with special
needs |
|
6.
|
Create and
evaluate a learning environment that
supports children's physical, social,
emotional and
emotional development |
|
7. |
Identify and
apply positive approaches
that encourage families to seek help and
services |
|
8. |
Demonstrate
competence in integrating theory and
practice in disabilities services and
supports |
Program Length
All courses are five days or one week in length,
5 credits unless specified otherwise.
HS University students are Head Start
working adults who can earn their
certificate at their own pace and on their
own schedule. Most students attend
part-time, and the normal time to
complete this program is 3 months.
Program Cost
Cost information for HS University
program is available at
http://www.hsuniversity.org/cost_fees.html.
The tuition and fees for the entire
program, at current tuition rates, are
$1495.
Program Course of Study
The following list a suggested course of
study. Students must complete 5
credits/15 units in order to earn a
certificate. Please contact
your advisor and student representative
for an individual Professional
Development Plan (Plans consist of a
detailed program of study requirement
and Proposal for Tuition payment).
Students must complete an application
and pay application fee in order to
receive Professional Development Plans
of Study.
