STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Yahala Devine has been an in-home childcare provider in Mendenhall for two and a half years, but her career trajectory changed when she joined the Nurturing Homes Initiative, or NHI, program.

The NHI program is dedicated to enhancing the quality of early education experiences in family childcare homes. By offering resources, training and support, NHI equips providers with the tools they need to improve child development outcomes and advance their own careers. The program is developed and delivered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and funded by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Through NHI, Devine had the opportunity to earn the nationally recognized Child Development Associate, or CDA, credential. This credential is pivotal for early childhood educators, helping them tailor teaching methods to meet each child’s needs, promote a love of learning and advance professionally.

“The CDA was available to me for free through NHI, and it really accelerated my learning process,” Devine said. “The support I received from my coach, Brea McBryde, and the NHI team was invaluable. They were always there when I had questions or needed guidance.”

The pilot cohort of the CDA program launched in April 2024 with 33 participants. Ten have completed all coursework, with Devine being the first to receive her CDA certificate from the council. The program was developed by MSU Extension NHI Project Manager Mary Hannah Mills, who saw an opportunity to provide tailored, direct support for participants.

“I thoroughly enjoyed developing the CDA program for family childcare providers in NHI and other educators across the state,” Mills said. “This program not only advances careers but also improves overall knowledge and skills in early childhood development.”

Mills said that her favorite part of developing the program was aligning assignments with course content to test participants’ knowledge.

“Hearing their feedback on assignments helped me refine and improve the program,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see their excitement as they complete the program and earn their CDA certificate.”

For Devine, the CDA credential is a critical step in advancing her childcare business. It allows her to pursue a director’s license and formal licensing for her in-home childcare services.

“Without the CDA, I wouldn’t have been able to take this next step in my business,” Devine said.

The program’s emphasis on support and community has been transformative.

“Being an in-home provider can feel isolating, but through NHI, I had a network of peers to reach out to,” Devine said. “The experience has been so enlightening for my business.”

Mills emphasized the dedication of the program’s participants and the potential of the program to help providers and the children in their care.

“The CDA program is time-consuming, especially for those working long hours,” Mills said. “It’s inspiring to see the effort they put into improving the quality of care for children.

“With the success of the pilot cohort, the NHI program is proving to be a valuable resource for advancing the professional development of childcare providers and elevating the standards of early education in Mississippi,” she said.