DYCD provides various professional development services aimed at empowering and supporting youth development staff through both credentialing and non-credentialing programs. These programs include:
Family Development Training and Credentialing (FDC) - A major New York State initiative that provides frontline workers with the skills and competencies needed to work more effectively with families and individuals.
Family Development for Supervisors Series - A professional development-training program for supervisors and agency leaders.
Experience COUNTS - A resource designed to help staff members at community-based organizations and non-profits organizations obtain college degrees through programs offering life experience credits.
DYCD Scholars Program - A two-year college credit certificate program for staff at DYCD's Beacon and Out-of-School Time programs.
Professional Development Initiatives:
Core Competencies for Youth Work Professionals and Core Competencies for Supervisors of Youth Work Professionals – Resources designed to raise the capacity of youth-serving organizations and staff to serve their participants more effectively. These documents provide practical guidelines that apply to staff at all levels with a focus on knowledge and skills that can be acquired; it is not about individual characteristics or attitudes. These competencies are designed to be used as a tool to guide the professional development of the youth work professional and not as a barrier for entry into the field.
Full Core Competencies Document (in PDF )
Supervisor Core Competencies - full document (in PDF)
