The University of Louisville has received a $190,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to help bolster the region’s early childhood education sector through an innovative workforce development program. The grant will enable UofL’s Early Childhood Research Center (ECRC) to implement a Child Development Associate (CDA) and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential program curriculum. The ECRC is working with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to potentially extend the curriculum to high school students in JCPS’ Academies of Louisville Early Childhood programs.
Through this collaboration students in grades 10-12 who are engaged in early childhood-focused academic coursework would have the opportunity to earn a CDA and/or RBT credential during or immediately following their studies in the JCPS Early Childhood Academy program. The CDA credential is the minimum requirement for Early Head Start lead teachers and Head Start assistant teachers.
In addition to helping create career pathways for JCPS students, the program is designed to address the local shortage of childcare and early childhood education professionals, to reach more children, and ultimately deliver on Mayor Craig Greenberg’s five-year plan to create a pathway to universal pre-K for every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville.
“The collaboration between the PNC Foundation and the University of Louisville is truly transformative for our community. With PNC’s support, UofL will develop innovative workforce programs that strengthen the early childhood education sector,” said Greenberg. “This aligns perfectly with my administration’s ‘Thrive by 5’ initiative, a five-year plan to create a pathway to universal pre-k by ensuring that every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville has access to quality early learning. The impact of this work on our children, economy and future will be extraordinary.”
The program’s impact could be substantial, with up to 100 participants per year potentially working toward completion. The practical experience placements would be in high-needs environments, including commercial centers, nonprofit centers, school districts, Head Start programs and private programs serving economically disadvantaged populations or children with specific disabilities.
“As a longtime champion for high-quality early childhood education, PNC is committed to improving access to resources and programming for our community’s youngest learners,” said Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president for Kentucky. “Developing future educators who can help prepare children for success in school and life is central to this work, and all of us at PNC look forward to the impact this program will create for educators and students in Jefferson County.”
The ECRC was established by the UofL College of Education and Human Development in 1999 to conduct and disseminate research on early childhood development and education. Jon Lee, recently appointed director of the ECRC, will lead this innovative project.
“The effort between the PNC Foundation and the University of Louisville is a crucial step forward in supporting early childhood education in our community,” said Brandy Scott, Instructional Lead in Career Pathways at Jefferson County Public Schools. “At JCPS’ Early Childhood Academies, we are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive and get a jump start on their postsecondary education or career. We expect the support from PNC to allow us to expand our efforts in preparing our youngest learners for long-term success, while also strengthening the early education workforce. This initiative will have a lasting impact on children, families and the future of education in Louisville.”
“We are grateful for the PNC Foundation’s support in this critical initiative,” said Lee. “Their commitment to early childhood education and economic development aligns perfectly with our mission to foster high-quality educational environments for young children and support the development of future educators.”
For more information about the ECRC and its initiatives, click here.
