DIRECT CARE LATTICE

Level One:
Practitioners have 30 days experience and 6 hours of Maine Roads Core Knowledge Training.

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

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 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 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 experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED, 5 years experience, and 135 hours of Maine Roads Core Knowledge 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 experience;
Or an AA/AS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field with 2 years experience;
Or a 1 year credit Certificate in ECE, Social Services, or related field and 5 years experience;
Or a CDA or Maine state approved credential* and 6 years 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 experience;
Or a BA/BS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or an AA/AS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years 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 experience;
Or a MA/MS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or a BA/BS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years experience.

Level Eight:
Practitioners will have a Doctorate in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or a MA/MS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years 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 the degree includes 36 college credits related to Early Childhood Education. (See above)
• Maine state approved credentials include the Maine Infant Toddler Credential, the Maine Director Credential, the Maine Youth Development Credential, the Maine Inclusion Credential, the Family Child Care Credential, the Technical Assistance Credential, and the Certified Early Childhood Assistant credential.