History

The West Virginia Infant/Toddler Professional Development Program (WVIT) began in 2006 with an innovative approach of classroom training combined with on-site technical assistance. Since then, several other programs have been added under the WVIT umbrella.

With this new advanced professional development came the need to organize the State’s Infant/Toddler Specialists housed in the six Child Care Resource and Referral offices. Bringing the Specialists together provided the opportunity for networking, sharing of knowledge and collaboration on additional statewide projects to facilitate improved quality for infants and toddlers in family child care homes, centers, and facilities.

The Infant/Toddler Specialists Network (ITSN) developed after the roll-out of WVIT and is coordinated by Joyce Tucker, Early Care and Education Specialist with the Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Early Care and Education, Quality Initiatives Unit. Annual professional development for the group has included the most current, research-based training available in the field. Specialists are certified in the Program for Infants/Toddlers Care (PITC). Other trainings have included infant massage, Pickler Intensive Institute, Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, Ages and Stages 3, car seat installation, and safe sleep.

The next spin-off was the Infant/Toddler Quality Improvement Project known as ITQuIP. After completing the original WVIT 50 hour module training, a caregiver may elect to participate in ITQuIP. This is a year-long commitment involving the caregiver, director, and Infant/Toddler Specialist, beginning with an observation using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R) to determine the classroom’s strengths and areas for improvement. The caregiver, director, and specialist then create a plan of action to address any health and safety issues brought to light during the ITERS-R observation. The plan of action allows for monthly technical assistance visits by the specialist to assist with areas of improvement through coaching, other trainings, referrals, and resources.

The Great Beginnings Infant/Toddler Conference began in 2007. This annual, three-day event is specifically designed for directors and caregivers of infants and toddlers who have participated in previous WVIT programs. Each year the directors and caregivers who attend receive professional development on various topics from speakers from around the world.

In the fall of 2011, WVIT II – Relationship Based Care was piloted in two regions. This training consists of 45 hours of classroom training and a 10-hour practicum that is completed at the participant’s site. The practicum, chosen by the participant, is the piece that brings the training from WVIT I and II to fruition. WVIT II is offered in all six regions, to register contact your local infant/toddler specialists.

With the use of ARRA funding, the ITSN facilitated the PITC Directors Academy and the PITC Caregivers Academy presented by Peter Mangione, Director of WestEd – Center for Child and Family Studies in California. PITC’s philosophy of responsive, relationship-based care is deeply embedded in WVIT trainings. At the same time, the Beginning Together Institute was presented by Linda Brault, also from WestEd. This conference included individuals from child care, Early Head Start and WV Birth to Three in a collaborative effort to shed new light on inclusive practice.

A two year long process ended in the fall of 2010 with the publication of West Virginia’s Early Learning Standards Framework for Infants and Toddlers. This effort was led by the ITSN and included individuals from Early Head Start, WV Birth to Three, higher education representatives, Starting Points, ACDS, child care and the Division of Early Care and Education. The ELSF for Infants/Toddlers is available through each R&R agency and can be found on line at www.earlychildhood.org under publications.  In 2012 the ITSN developed criteria for selecting developmentally appropriate curricula for infants and toddlers. Working with EHS, the group reviewed many curricula and found two that met the rigorous criteria. Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos along with High Scope’s Tender Care and Early Learning became West Virginia’s approved curricula for participating in WV’s Tiered Reimbursement program.  In 2018 the Infant-Toddler Specialist Network met together to update the WV I/T ELSFs.  The newest edition is available here.