STARS Training Information
revised 08/04/2011
For the purposes of STARS, Center Directors may not train their staff on the required STARS trainings, unless:
- They have attended a train the trainer event preparing them for serving as a trainer in a specific curriculum such as the Certified Infant Toddler Course and they are in contract at the State’s discretion to provide this training in a community
- Or they have been contracted with by the state and participated in necessary reliability or certification training to provide statewide training.
- Or they are employed on a part time basis through the Child Care Resource & Referral Agency for purposes of offering training on their behalf.
- In all situations, the state must determine appropriateness of Director involvement in training implementation, and Director’s cannot train only their staff in a separate training for the purposes of STARS required courses; however, if staff members from a Director’s facility participate in a community/state training in which their Director is the trainer as described above, this is acceptable.
Training will be available to meet the various requirements for STARS. Training is conducted by a variety of entities and in a variety of ways. Your coach can assist in linking you to the training source. Specific details about some of the training/development required in STARS:
Training will become available throughout the late summer, fall and winter depending on schedules.
One Star
- STARS Readiness Training- this training will be available via local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.
- Emergency Preparedness – available through local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies using the curriculum adopted from Maine, called YIKES. Each R&R will develop or coordinate this training with the outcome of the early childhood facility having an Emergency Preparedness Plan. The training is not required for STARS; however, having an Emergency Preparedness Plan is.
- Safe Sleep Training- Part 1 of the Safe Sleep Training is the online AAP training. CCR&R’s have information flyers on how to access this training. . Part 2 of the Safe Sleep training is a correspondence course which is available through the CCR&R’s. It is required that participating programs in STARS take the newly developed training model.
- Medication Administration Training- Medication Administration Training 1 and 2 may be presented separately or together.. The trainings are available through Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and also available online at ChildCareTraining.org and as a correspondence course through the CCR&R’s. Those who have already taken the classes need to provide proof of successful completion (their ECP training record). They will then need to take the class again 3 years after the date of the first completion. A refresher course option is being developed at this time. This information is true for both Medication Administration 1 and 2.
- Montana Mandatory Reporting training - this is training offered by Child Care Licensing and it is required that participating programs in STARS take the newly developed training. The training is available by contacting your local Resource and Referral agency, as well as online at ChildCareTraining.org.
- Immunization Training – This training is available at www.immunization.mt.gov, and is required for staff responsible for reviewing immunization records. This course is not available for ECP credit as it is only 1 hour.
Two Star
- BEST-BEST for Centers, Family, & Group homes is available through your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency.
- Program Administration Scales and Business Administration Scales training – These trainings are being offered 2 times throughout this year in each quadrant. Contact your local CCR&R for more information.
- Medication Administration Training II- Medication Administration Training 1 and 2 may be presented separately or together. The trainings are available through Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, online at ChildCareTraining.org, as well as correspondence course through the CCR&R’s. Those who have already taken the classes need to provide proof of successful completion (their ECP training record). They will then need to take the class again 3 years after the date of the first completion. A refresher course option is being developed at this time. This information is true for both Medication Administration 1 and 2.
- Environmental Rating Scale Training - This training is available at www.ChildCareTraining.org
- Introduction to CSEFEL and Module 1- These trainings are available at each Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
Three Star
- Certified Preschool Caregiver Training (CPRC)- this is a 60 hour course and is coordinated through local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
- Certified Infant Toddler Caregiver Training (CITC)- this is a 60 hour course and is coordinated through local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. An online option is also available for college credit. Contact your local CCR&R for more information.
- Oral Health/Open Wide - At this time, the Open Wide Oral Health training is approved for STARS. Open Wide is a free online course offered through the DPHHS Family and Community Health Bureau for: registered/licensed childcare providers, school nurses, WIC staff, Head Start staff and Local Public Health Offices. ECP Credit is available through the Montana Early Childhood Project.
- CSEFEL Module 2 and Module 3 Overview - These trainings are available at each Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
Four Star
- Early Learning Guideline Implementation Training (update September 16, 2011) - Due to funding limitations, this course has been put on hold at this time. ECSB is currently exploring other options to be able to continue with this course, but at this time the requirement will be waived for any STARS providers applying for STAR 4.
- Inclusion 1: Foundations for Inclusion – Currently available through Child Care plus+ as distance education with an option for academic credit. Registration forms are available by calling 1-800-235-4122. ED 391: Practicing Inclusion in Preschool Programs is a 3 credit course and is an acceptable equivalent for Inclusion I and Inclusion II; this course is available through the University of Montana.
- Food Safety Course – Centers Direct Food Service staff need to take the 8 hour face-to face ServSafe Food Manager Level Certification course. Family/Group Food Service staff need to take a 4 hour face-to-face Food Handler Course option; there is a possibility that an online option that may be available for Family/Group care in the future. (ServSafe training certificate is good for 5 years; Food Handler Course certificate will be good for 1-2 years). Information about these courses and a state wide training calendar available at: www.msuextension.org/nutrition/ServSafe.html
Additional training information is also available at your local city-county Health Department Sanitarian’s office. This training does meet the ECP training approval and it is likely individuals will need to apply for individual training approval.
- CSEFEL Module 3 - This training is available at each Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
Five Star
- Inclusion 2: Strategies for Inclusion – Currently available through Child Care plus+ as a distance education with an option for academic credit. Registration forms are available by calling 1-800-235-4122. ED 391: Practicing Inclusion in Preschool Programs is a 3 credit course and is an acceptable equivalent for Inclusion I and Inclusion II; this course is available through the University of Montana.
* *Individuals taking the full CITC and CPRC courses can obtain a non-credit CDA. For more information go to http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/childcare/qualityprograms/documents
/CDAdidyouknow.pdf.
Civil Rights
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of race, national origin, ethnic background, sex, religious affiliation, or disability, you have a right to file a complaint.
To file a complaint of discrimination contact:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
999 18th Street, Suite 407
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 844-2024; (303) 844-3439 (TDD)
(303) 844-2025 FAX
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/complaints/index.html
or
Jamie Palagi, Chief
Early Childhood Services Bureau
DPHHS
P. O. Box 202925
Helena MT 59620-2925
