CalSAC has been selected as one of five implementation partners participating in the National Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential implementation pilot, a national initiative led by the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) to strengthen and recognize the youth development workforce.
Through the pilot, CalSAC will partner with Woodcraft Rangers to integrate the credential into established professional development pathways while exploring and designing scalable technical assistance strategies.
Developed by NAA in collaboration with practitioners, researchers, and field leaders, the National Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential is the first national, competency-based credential created specifically for the youth development profession. Designed to be portable and accessible, the credential recognizes demonstrated practice and provides practitioners with a meaningful way to showcase the competencies that define high-quality youth development.
As one of five implementation partners, CalSAC joins Camp Fire, School's Out Washington, the Andy Roddick Foundation's Learn All the Time Network, and the Expanded Learning Alliance (ExpandLA) in helping inform implementation of the credential across diverse organizational and community settings.
CalSAC will partner with Woodcraft Rangers to explore how the credential can be integrated into their existing staff development pathways and what technical assistance is needed to bridge gaps, leveraging the CalSAC Trainer Network PD infrastructure and leadership development curriculum and expertise in cohort-based learning. Woodcraft Rangers brings a range of expertise in developing rigorous professional development pathways and Registered Apprenticeship Programs, in addition to operating high-quality OST programs at scale. CalSAC and Woodcraft Rangers have been deepening their partnership over the past 3 years, from providing leadership development opportunities to certifying training staff as CalSAC Trainers. Our existing relationship and rapport, coupled with a mutual investment in each other’s work, provides a sturdy foundation for this pilot exploration.
Throughout the implementation pilot, participating organizations will provide feedback and lessons learned to help inform future implementation and broader adoption of the credential across the youth development field.
The implementation pilot is supported by The Wallace Foundation.
For more information about the National Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential, visit NAA’s website.