The West Virginia registered Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) program is based on a professional partnership between child care providers and their employers.

It is a teaching program where apprentices "learn by doing." A blending of classroom work and on-the-job training provides professional growth for providers. It also enhances the quality of care that their employers offer to the community.

The Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) is a four-semester training program developed in West Virginia for staff in child care centers, Head Start, preschool, school-age care programs and public schools.

ACDS is based on the U.S. Department of Labor's (USDL) apprenticeship model and requires a total of 300 hours of course work and 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience.

It also requires the commitment of the apprentice's employer to provide supervision and support of the apprentice's laboratory work and an increase in wages upon successful completion of the training. Graduates receive national certification through the USDL.

The registered Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist program promotes:
Highly skilled, confident early childhood employees
Quality early childhood environments
Informed, supportive early childhood professionals

The program's participants include:
Child Care Providers
Head Start
In-Home Providers
Preschool Employees
Public School
Youth Apprentices
Home Visitors

Contact Detail:
ACDS State Coordinator
Sherrie Myers
611 Seventh Avenue, Suite 208
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 523-0433 - (866) WVAACDS
Extension: 404
Fax: (304) 697-6613
E-mail: smyers@rvcds.org