When the Humankind Early Head Start program opened in 2021, the program quickly filled
with infants and toddlers needing early intervention services and high-quality childcare.
“We live in a childcare desert,” said Janet Trent, the facility director. “There are not enough infant and toddler spaces for the number of children who need them.”
With their program already maxing out, Janet and her staff quickly faced a number of challenges, including a large percentage of students with serious behavioral issues and social and emotional needs.
“The staff just wasn’t prepared to deal with the number of situations we faced, and many of those situations were very serious.”
Knowing they needed professional support, Janet tried to find training opportunities and resources everywhere. “We were looking for anything that could help us,” she said.
Janet and her staff heard about the Virginia Infant and Toddler Specialist Network. “We signed up for a conference in Lynchburg,” said Janet. “It was so much fun and the professional training we received was fantastic. We walked away from that conference with knowledge and skills to help our children and families. It was truly amazing.”
Soon the Humankind staff was working with a VA ITSN consultant on ways to help the children in their care strengthen social and emotional attachments. They also set goals to help the children continue to improve and grow.
“We developed a written plan specific to our classrooms and our challenges,” said Janet. “Our consultant helped us focus on ideas and listened when we provided feedback on what was working.”
The training and professional development Janet and
her crew received through VA ITSN has made all the difference to the families they serve. “I can’t say enough about the process. To go from desperately needing help
to having resources and skills to make a difference is
truly remarkable.”
All infant and toddler behavior consultants (ITBCs) and early childhood mental health consultants became Infant & Toddler CLASS certified.
ITBCs were trained to better identify autism in toddlers and to help parent/child interactions.
VA ITSN conducted five Celebrating Playful Babies and Tots training events across the state during the spring of 2023 for 361 infant and toddler providers.
Between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, VA ITSN provided 5,567 events for a total of 7,583 hours to 18,328 infant and toddler teachers, caregivers, directors, and parents throughout the Commonwealth.
Stay In Touch
Child Development Resources
150 Point O’Woods Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Mail Address: P.O. Box 280, Norge, VA 23127
Training Department/Center for Professional Development
210 Packets Court, Williamsburg, VA 23185
p: 757.378.3177
Early Learning Center
Griffin-Yeates Learning Center
1490 Government Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185
p: 757.220.1168
Child Development Resources EIN 54-0791991
Questions or concerns about your child?
Call CDR’s TOTS line at 757.566.TOTS.
¿Tiene preguntas acerca de su bebé o niño?
llame al 757.566.3300.
hours
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
contact
p: 757.566.3300
f: 757.566.8977
e: info@cdr.org
careers
Current Openings