DIRECT CARE LATTICE

Level One:
Practitioners have 30 days of experience and 6 hours of Maine Roads Core Knowledge and/or State-Approved* Training.

Level Two:
Practitioners have a high school diploma/GED, 1 year of experience, and: 45 hours of Maine Roads Core Knowledge and/or State-Approved Training or 3 college credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE).

Level Three:
Practitioners have a 1-year credit Certificate in ECE*; Social Services, or a related field;
Or a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Maine state approved credential* and 1 year of experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED, 3 years of experience, and: 90 hours of Maine Roads Core Knowledge and/or State-Approved Training or 6 college credits in Early Childhood Education.

Level Four:
Practitioners have an AA/AS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field;
Or AA/AS with 12 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years of experience;
Or a 1-year credit Certificate in ECE, Social Services, or a related field with 2 years of experience;
Or a CDA or Maine state approved credential* and 3 years of experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED, 5 years of experience, and: 135 hours of Maine Roads Core Knowledge and/or State-Approved Training or 9 college credits in Early Childhood Education.

Level Five:
Practitioners have a BA/BS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field;
Or a BA/BS with 12 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field, and 3 years of experience;
Or an AA/AS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field with 2 years of experience;
Or a 1 year credit Certificate in ECE, Social Services, or related field and 5 years of experience;
Or a CDA or Maine state approved credential* and 6 years of experience.

Level Six:
Practitioners have a MA/MS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field;
Or a MA/MS with 24 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years of experience;
Or a BA/BS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years of experience;
Or an AA/AS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years of experience.

Level Seven:
Practitioners have or a Doctorate in ECE, Social Services, or a related field;
Or a Doctorate with 30 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years of experience;
Or a MA/MS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years of experience;
Or a BA/BS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years of experience.

Level Eight:
Practitioners will have a Doctorate in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years of experience;
Or a MA/MS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years of experience.

• Accepted course work/degrees can be in Early Childhood Education, Child Growth and Development, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child & Family Studies, Child, Family and Community Relationships, and Recreation degrees applying to School- age children. Related degrees must include at least 36 college credits in the above categories.
• Psychology, Sociology, and Secondary Education are not considered related degrees unless coursework shown on transcripts include 36 college credits related to Early Childhood Education. (See above)
• Maine state approved credentials include the Maine Infant Toddler Credential, Maine Director Credential, Maine Youth Development Credential, Maine Inclusion Credential, Family Child Care Credential, Technical Assistance Credential, Preschool Credential, and the Certified Early Childhood Assistant credential.
• State-Approved Training is developed by organizations outside of Maine Roads to Quality, is approved by Maine Roads to Quality and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and is centered around Early Care and Education and Out-of-School-Time programming.