Credential Approved Trainings

Credential Approved Trainings:

In order for a training to count for points toward earning a credential, the training must be a "credential approved training." Credential approved trainings must meet the following criteria:

• The training must include at least 7.5 clock-hours of content (this excludes registration, break, and lunch time). Training clock hours may be consecutive or in a series that total 7.5 hours or more.
• The training must focus on one Gateways to Opportunity content area (content areas for Gateways credentials can be found on credential specific pages).
• The training must include an evaluation component.

Trainings are evaluated utilizing the above criteria. Trainings that meet said criteria may count toward a Gateways to Opportunity credential.

In order to earn a Gateways to Opportunity credential, practitioners must meet requirements or points in training and education. Varying points are required to meet the educational component embedded in each credential. For more information regarding the number of points necessary to earn a Gateways to Opportunity credential, please review the corresponding frameworks: 

• ECE Credential Framework
• Illinois Director Credential (IDC) Framework
• Infant Toddler Credential (ITC) Framework

If you would like to have a training evaluated in reference to a Gateways to Opportunity credential, please contact the Gateways office at (866) 697-8278 or (888) 548-8080.

Registry Approved Trainings:

There is both a training and trainer approval process within the Gateways to Opportunity Registry system.

• Training approval is an important component of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry. The approval process ensures that trainings have been reviewed and meet standards for quality and accountability. Training approval is valid for three years.
  
• After a training is approved, it must be scheduled. Scheduling an approved training is what allows it to appear on the Statewide Training Calendar and allows participants in that training to receive credit on their Registry Professional Development Record (PDR). There are resources available to assist you in completing your training application.
  
• Agencies that have standardized training curriculum are welcome to submit their trainings for Registry approval. For more information about the agency-submitted process, please contact the Learning Advancement Coordinator at INCCRRA via Gateways.