ACDS or Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist promotes highly skilled, confident, early childhood employees; quality early childhood classrooms; and informed, supportive early childhood professionals.

In West Virginia, it is a collaborative effort of the State Office of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor; the Bureau of Vocational, Technical and Adult Education, West Virginia Department of Education; River Valley Child Development Services; and local vocational schools.

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

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.

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 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
611 Seventh Avenue, Suite 208
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 523-0433 - (866) WVAACDS
Extension: 404
Fax: (304) 697-6613