PITC Trainer Institutes

Each module includes:

• Engaging online tools including readings, videos, and activities
• Development of one Learning Experience Outline (LEO)
• Weekly journaling for each topic
• Expanding the LEO of your choice to a full Learning Experience Plan (LEP)

The modules open sequentially in Canvas and are available to you a week prior to the dates listed below:

• Module 1: Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization, October 7-November 24
• Module 2: Group Care, December 2-February 2
• Module 3: Learning and Development, February 3-March 23
• Module 4: Culture, Family, and Providers, March 24-May 11

Please note that participation in both the Launch Week (October) and Wrap-Up (May) events are among the requirements for certification.

• Trainers
• Coaches
• Mentor/Lead Teachers
• Program Leaders
• Early Head Start Staff
• Higher Education Faculty
• Child Care Resource Specialists
• Early Interventionists
• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants
• Family Child Care Providers who serve as trainers or leaders in their communities
• Prior PITC Trainer Institute participants who need to complete certification (refer to “PITC Completion Option” below)

The tuition fee for the PITC Trainer Institute is $6,100. For those who are enrolled in the PITC Completion Option, the tuition fee is $3,400. This fee covers:

• PITC resources and supplementary reading materials
• Brief pre-enrollment orientations (multiple dates and times)
• PITC Launch: 5-days of virtual sessions with faculty and online learning
• One facilitated 2-hour Learning Experience Plan session in late October (multiple dates and times)
• Online Learning: 24-weeks with facilitators and peers with embedded certification
• Modules: four facilitated opening sessions (90 minutes each) to highlight resources, climate of care, and training strategies for each module
• PITC Wrap-Up: 2 consecutive days of virtual sessions in late May with peers and faculty

A very limited number of fellowships are available to applicants living in California. Refer to “Review Criteria” section below for guidance. Fellowships are only available to those who are attending the PITC Trainer Institute for their first time.

PITC also works jointly with Quality Counts California hub leads and county representatives to identify funding opportunities. PITC will notify applicants regarding fellowships and funding decisions from hubs or counties.

The Completion Option is available to those who attended a previous PITC Trainer Institute, are certified in two or more modules, and want to return for full PITC certification.

For those who hold certification in one module, we invite you to join the PITC Trainer Institute for Modules 1-4. While much of PITC content remains relevant, some of our topics have evolved due to new learning from the research. Also, our new approach embeds certification in the learning community of peers and a facilitator.

To begin the PITC Completion Option application process, please email PITCEvents@wested.org.

First consideration will be given to applications received by the due date. Applications received after the due date will be considered if space allows.

If you are coordinating submission of applications for a group of more than five people, please email PITCEvents@wested.org. Each person in the group must complete an individual application by the application due date to be considered.

The application consists of five sections:

• Contact Information
• Organization Information
• Education and Employment
• Training Experience (inclusive of previous training, coaching, and/or teaching experiences)
• Statement of Interest to Participate (include details about how your participation will positively impact your program and/or community)

• All sections must be complete with sufficient detail to evaluate your related experience and interest in attending the Institute. Refer to “Review Criteria” section below for guidance.
• Once all sections are completed, make sure to select the Submit button.
• Be sure to check your email (including junk/spam folder) for confirmation that your application was submitted.

WestEd will review and consider each completed application based on specific criteria (refer to “Review Criteria” section below) and space availability.

WestEd does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
 

• Applicant’s Title and Position: Description of your current position and role in coaching, leadership, and/or training activities in the field of child development, specifically infant and toddler development and care. Priority is given to those currently providing professional development to programs and communities serving infants and toddlers, as well as to applicants nominated by their local quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) administrator. Please note significant volunteerism or participation in local initiatives to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers are considered as well.
• Education/Professional Certification: Your educational background, including credit hours in early childhood education and child development, CDA, ECE training, and other ECE or child development-related certificates and degrees.
• Past Professional Experience: Professional experiences in child development, with a focus on infant and toddler coaching and/or training activities you have planned and conducted.
• Interest and Intent to Provide Training: The purpose of participating; what you hope to learn; how you plan to utilize the training experience in your work in the infant/toddler community; and the types of coaching and training experiences you intend to conduct. Consideration of geographic, linguistic, and program type diversity is part of the review process for California applicants.

An orientation meeting is a step in the application process. The orientation is a short conversation to support each applicant and their supervisor (when applicable) to learn about and plan for the nine-month PITC Trainer Institute journey. Knowing what to expect during the synchronous events and for the 24 weeks of online learning and certification activities that occur between October and May provides a path to success in certification.

The orientation meeting will be scheduled individually or for multiple participants within one agency to allow PITC to address your questions fully. For those who do not have a supervisor, please invite a colleague who works closely with you. The PITC Trainer Institute experience is most successful when you have support from your personal or professional community and your PITC learning community of faculty, peers, and your facilitator.

• Application Confirmation: Once you submit your application (due date August 8, 2024), you will automatically receive an email confirmation.
• Application Status: You will be notified of your status within a week of completing both the application process and attending a pre-enrollment orientation session (refer to “Pre-Enrollment Orientation Sessions” section above).
• Invitation to Enroll: Accepted applicants will receive an email notification to complete the enrollment process and submit payment by August 26.
• Waitlist: Qualified applicants who are waitlisted will be invited to update their application for participation in a future PITC Trainer Institute.
• Fellowship Announcements: Fellowships funded by CDSS-CCDD for California residents are based upon a review of your application. Fellowships will be announced in late August.

• Once enrolled, the full fee for your participation will be charged for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start of the event.
• WestEd will make every effort to enroll a replacement participant when a cancellation occurs more than 30 days in advance. However, an administrative fee of $100 will be charged.
• All cancellations must be submitted in writing to PITCEvents@wested.org.

• For any questions, please email PITCEvents@wested.org.
• Visit www.pitc.org for updates regarding the PITC Trainer Institute and other training opportunities and resources.