Bladen Community College joins NCDHHS to address early care and learning crisis
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working to combat the state’s childcare crisis and learning crisis.
NCDHHS is partnering with 16 North Carolina institutions to establish a shortened training and certification that prepares participants for careers in childcare for free called, ‘Child Care Academics.’
“North Carolina’s early learning system depends on a strong, well-prepared workforce, and the Child Care Academies are designed to meet that need head on,” said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Michael Leighs. “By providing free high-quality training, we’re opening doors for new educators while supporting families and ensuring children across our state have access to safe and nurturing care.”
The goal is to expand access to high-quality early learning programs, supporting workforce development and allowing parents to remain in the workforce.
The list of Child Care Academy Partners includes:
- Appalachian State University
- Bladen Community College
- Central Carolina Community College
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Davidson-Davie Community College
- Durham Technical Community College
- Elizabeth City State University
- Forsyth Technical Community College
- Guilford Technical Community College
- Montgomery Community College
- Nash Community College
- Pitt Community College
- Roanoke-Chowan Community College
- Sandhills Community College
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Wilson Community College
Each location is required to conduct at least three Child Care Academies through July 2026.
The training includes CPR/first aid, health and safety, infant/toddler safe sleep and sudden death infant syndrome, playground safety, and recognizing and responding to suspicious of child maltreatment.
