OCDEL Invests in Early Care and Education Professional Development Initiative

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning announced its Early Care and Education Professional Development Organization (ECE PDO) initiative that is aimed at building capacity within the state’s early childhood education workforce. 

Learn More

OCDEL will invest $13 million in federal funding to support a comprehensive system of credit-bearing coursework, credential, and degree attainment for early childhood education professionals throughout the state.

Following a recompete process, three professional development organizations have been chosen to support six regions across Pennsylvania: 

• Philadelphia and Southeast Region: Public Health Management Corporation 

• Central Region, Northeast Region, and Southwest Region: Shippensburg University

• Northwest Region: Northwest Institute of Research

Early Care and Education Professional Development Organizations facilitate access to credit-bearing, stackable, and portable coursework and credentials, including CDSs, associate and bachelor’s degrees. They work to provide access to learning opportunities and coordinate regionally tailored supports that meet the diverse needs of early childhood education professionals.

Programs offered through the ECE PDOs align with the state’s Early Childhood Educator Career and Educational Pathway.

For more information or to connect with a regional PDO, visit The Pennsylvania Key’s Professional Development Organizations page.