Dr. Valora Washington, CEO, Council for Professional Recognition attends CGI America, June 13-14, in Chicago

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council for Professional Recognition today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Valora Washington, Ph.D., a long-time advocate for Early Childhood Education, will participate in CGI America June 13 and 14 in Chicago.

Over the course of the two day meeting, Dr. Washington and the CGI America Working Group will identify and develop action items supporting the goal of improving early childhood education opportunities for Americans.

"CGI America is the perfect venue for experts in the field of early childhood education to come together to discuss strategies to decrease the readiness gap of our children, said Dr. Valora Washington, CEO, Council for Professional Recognition (Council)." "For more than 25 years, the Council has been promoting improved performance and recognition of early childhood education professionals ensuring that they meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of our nation's youngest children. I am excited to represent the Council in this critical conversation."  

About the Council for Professional Recognition

The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old. The Council works to ensure all professional early childhood educators and caregivers meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of our nation's youngest children.

The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education programs – Head Start, pre-K, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs. To learn more, visit www.cdacouncil.org

About the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentialing Program™

In keeping with its goal to meet the growing need for qualified early child care and education staff, the Council administers a unique teacher credentialing process which results in the award of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. The program uses a specific set of time-tested, research-based tools to determine early childhood teacher competency, based on multiple sources of evidence.

Having the CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition verifies that teachers have the ability to put the Council's nationally recognized CDA Competency Standards into practice. Having a CDA demonstrates a commitment to a career in early childhood education and an understanding of how the developmental context of the Standards can help teachers support children's early care experiences. For more information, visit www.cdacouncil.org/the-cda-credential

About CGI America

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. Established in June 2011 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) addresses economic recovery in the United States. CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting, CGI America participants have made more than 211 commitments valued at $13.6 billion when fully funded and implemented. To learn more, visit cgiamerica.org

SOURCE Council for Professional Recognition