Twelve Steps to an IYD Credential

You will receive information and access to related forms when you click on form in each step of the Credentialing process. Please note there are two ways to earn an IYD Credential - Standard Process and Alternate Process - some steps have separate forms for each process. Please make sure you print out and complete the correct form. If you have questions or are not sure which path is appropriate for you contact YouthPRO.

If you have questions about any of the forms or information requested please contact the YouthPRO office at 317-259-9491 or by e-mail info@indianayouthpro.org.

Note: Adobe Reader (free program) is required to view all forms.

1. Candidate Registration
The first step is to print and complete the IYD Candidate Registration form and send it along with the $25 registration fee to Indiana YouthPRO Association. YouthPRO will process your registration and forward a receipt and verification to you.

Print Form: Candidate Registration
Print Form: IYD Orientation and Overview Manual

Send the form and the registration fee of $25.00 to:
Indiana YouthPRO Association
4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205.

Checks are made out to Indiana YouthPRO Association or YouthPRO.

The registration fee covers the cost of processing your registration. In addition, you can also use the registration fee to pay for a portion of your first year membership with YouthPRO.

2. Candidate Conducts Self-Assessment (This step can be completed and submitted with your Registration Form.)
Once you are registered you will need to complete the IYD Self-Assessment. This form is designed to determine what requirements you have completed and which requirements need to be completed prior to the IYD Assessment. The IYD Core Competencies or IYD Core Competencies Cover Sheet can help you accurately complete the IYD Self-Assessment. The IYD Self- Assessment will aid in determining if your experience or formal class work are applicable to a particular area. When you have completed the IYD Self-Assessment Tool, make a copy of the document and send the original to YouthPRO, you can also e-mail the completed form to info@indianayouthpro.org.

The completed Self-Assessment will be reviewed by YouthPRO and you will be sent a letter that outlines any education or training requirements that need to be addressed and information on T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Indiana Scholarship. Click here to learn more about the T.E.A.C.H scholarship.

There are different Self-Assessment Forms for each process, make sure you print out and complete the correct form. Questions - contact YouthPRO.

Print Form: Self-Assessment - Standard Process
Print Form: Self-Assessment - Alternate Process
Print Form: Using the Self-Assesment Tool

3. Candidate participates in required training:
The YouthPRO office reviews the Self-Assessment and completes and forwards the Self-Assessment Reply form to the Candidate identifying all training or education requirements the Candidate needs to complete before moving to the next step of the Assessment process. Candidates can obtain information about training options by calling or checking the website of local colleges. The YouthPRO office, local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or County Extension Office may also have suggestions.

If you are completing the IYD Credential using the Standard Process you may need to complete the Indiana Youth Development Process class that is available from Ivy Tech. In most situations, the college instructor will serve as an Advisor, and assist the Candidate, in preparing the Competency Statements and other contents of the Portfolio and Professional Resource File. The Advisor must also observe you in your work setting at least twice during a six month period and provide you with feedback.

If you do not have an advisor and do not know how to select one, contact the YouthPRO office for options.

If you are completing the IYD Credential using the Alternative Process you may need to complete some courses or additional training. You can obtain information about training options by calling or checking the website of local colleges, professional organizations, your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or County Extension Office.

The Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Standard and the Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Alternate outline the steps that need to be completed prior to submitting the Assessment Request Form.

Print Form: Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Standard
Print Form: Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Alternate

4. Documenting competencies in the Portfolio and Resource File:

Standard Process Only - Portfolio and Resource File
There are two types of detailed documentation required for Candidates following the Standard Process:

1. The Portfolio documents personal and professional information and provides statements about on-the-job application/practices related to the IYD Credential Competency Standards, and

2. The Resource File provides documentation of sixteen requirements that demonstrate proficiency, practice and relevant information.

If you are taking the IYD Process class, much of this step will be completed during the class. If you are not taking the class or for additional information please review the Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Standard which provides detailed instructions on the various parts of the Portfolio and Resource File. In addition, the Candidate Checklist for Preparing for the IYD Assessment-Standard is available to help guarantee that you have completed all relevant steps prior to completing the Assessment Visit Request Form - Standard.

Alternate Process Resource File
There are a few items of documentation required for Candidates following the Alternate Process:

1. Brief Essay - that includes brief biographical statement and description of the program you work in,

2. Brief Competency Statements on specific topics;

3. A small resource file that contains a number of documents including transcripts and letters of support.

Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Alternate and the Candidate Checklist for Preparing for the IYD Assessment Alternate can help with completing this step. The Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Alternate provides more detail on the Brief Essay and the Checklist can act as a guide as the Candidate collects and organizes all relevant information prior to submitting an Assessment Visit Request Form - Alternate.

Print Form:
Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Standard Process
Candidate Checklist for Preparing for the IYD Assessment Standard
Candidate's Documentation Requirements and Directions for IYD-Alternate
Candidate Checklist for Preparing for the IYD Assessment Alternate

5. Candidate applies for Credential Assessment
Once you have met the eligibility requirements you are ready for the final stages of the Assessment Process. First you must complete the Assessment Visit Request form.

Before submitting the Assessment Visit Request Form you must decide if you are going to pursue a scholarship from T.E.A.C.H. or if you will be paying for the Assessment on your own.

• If you are eligible and wish to apply for a T.E.A.C.H Assessment Scholarship, you must fill out the form required by T.E.A.C.H.. Both the IYD Assessment Visit Request and T.E.A.C.H Assessment Scholarship forms are then submitted to the T.E.A.C.H office. These will be forwarded on to YouthPRO once T.E.A.C.H. has approved the request. Make sure you keep copies of these forms.
  

  OR
  

• If you are not eligible for a T.E.A.C.H Assessment Scholarship, submit the IYD Assessment Visit Request form directly to YouthPRO at:
  Indiana YouthPRO Association,
  4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 300
  Indianapolis, Indiana 46205.

The form must include a check for $325 to cover the cost of the Assessment process. Checks are made out to YouthPRO. Once received YouthPRO will provide you with a receipt and information related to your Assessment.

See: IYD Credential - Scholarship/Financial Assistance Information for information on T.E.A.C.H.

NOTE: there is an Assessment Visit Request Form for each of the Processes, make sure you complete and submit the correct form.

Print Form:
Assessment Visit Request Form-Standard Process
Assessment Visit Request Form-Alternate Process

6. Recruit an Advisor to serve on the Assessment Team
*** An Advisor is ONLY required for the Standard Process!

If you have not been working with an Advisor, it is important to locate one at this point. Click on form to see Advisory requirements.

Print Form: Advisor requirements

7. Indiana YouthPRO Association assigns an Independent Reviewer for the Assessment Process
Once the Candidate has completed all requirements and submitted documentation and the Assessment Visit Request Form, YouthPRO will assign a trained and qualified Independent Reviewer.

For Candidates using the Standard Process the Assessment Team includes the Candidate, Advisor and the Independent Reviewer. YouthPRO will provide the Candidate with written verification listing the name of the Reviewer and the date of the observation. Click on form to see Independent Reviewer requirements.

For Candidates using the Alternate Process, the Assessment Team includes the Candidate and the Independent Reviewer who will complete one observation along with the Assessment Meeting.

Print Form: Independent Reviewer Requirements

8. Candidate Assessment
Candidates using the Standard Process will be observed by the Advisor at least two times and the Independent Reviewer once. Observations are completed during your normal work day while you are working with children. Both the Advisor and the Reviewer will supplement the information gathered from the observation with questions during feedback/interview sessions following the observation. In preparing for the Assessment and Observation make sure you have enough time to meet with your Advisor and/or Independent Reviewer.

Candidates using the Alternative Process will be observed by the Independent Reviewer one time. This Observation will be completed during the normal work day while you are working with children. Following the Observation the Candidate and Independent Reviewer will meet to complete the Assessment Meeting.

9. Assessment Team Meeting
The Assessment Team for the Standard Process includes the Candidate, the Advisor, and the Independent Reviewer, all members have an equal voice in the meeting. Information and observations are reviewed regarding the Candidate's competence and performance. The meeting is conducted following a standard format. During the meeting the Candidate presents and explains the documentation contained in the Portfolio and Resource File, answers questions from other Team members, and reviews the ways in which competence has been demonstrated. The Candidate Assessment Profile Form - Team Assessment Standard provides the guide for the Assessment Team Meeting for Candidates using the Standard Process.

The Assessment Team for the Alternate Process includes the Candidate and the Independent Reviewer, each member has an equal voice in the meeting. Information that the Candidate has compiled and from the observation will be reviewed to assess the Candidate's competence and performance. The meeting is conducted following a standard format. During the meeting the Candidate presents and explains the documentation contained in the Portfolio, answers questions from the Independent Reviewer, and reviews the ways in which competence has been demonstrated. The Candidate Assessment Profile Form - Assessment Alternate provides the guide for the Assessment Team Meeting for Candidates using the Alternate Process.

Print Form:
Candidate Assessment Profile Form - Team Assessment Standard
Candidate Assessment Profile Form - Assessment Alternate

10. Assessment Team Recommendation
At the conclusion of the Team meeting, all members work to come to a decision, and forward the recommendation to the YouthPRO office. The Team can decide to:

a. Award the Candidate an IYD based on information provided; or
b. Request additional information with decision made at a later date; or
c. Find that the Candidate does not meet the requirements as outlined in materials, therefore the IYD Credential is not awarded and the Candidate is notified of decision.

The final decision and recommendations are recorded on the Assessment Team Meeting Summary form. A copy goes into the Assessment packet (submitted to YouthPRO) and the original is given to the Candidate.

11. Reviewer submits Assessment documents to Indiana YouthPRO Association
The following documents are submitted:

1. Advisor's Observation Instrument (Standard Process only)
2. Independent Reviewer's Observation and Interview instrument
3. A copy of the Candidate Profile
4. A copy of the Assessment Team Meeting Summary Document

12. Indiana YouthPRO Association Determines Award
YouthPRO reviews the documents from the Assessment Team Meeting to ensure IYD Credential Protocol has been met and that all required documentation is provided and supports the recommendation of the Assessment Team.

• If approved by the Team, the Credential is awarded
• If not approved by the Team, the Candidate is invited to reapply for assessment when h/she feels they have obtained the recommended training/competence. The Candidate will also receive information on how to appeal a decision.
  

Print Form: Appeal Process

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