Trainers and RBPD specialists can access TARSS support from CEED staff by emailing tarss@umn.edu or calling 612-624-5708. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; we will respond to calls and emails within two business days.
About us
CEED is home to the Trainer and Relationship-based Professional Development Specialist Support program (TARSS), funded by the state of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Development Services. The TARSS program supports trainers, coaches, and relationship-based professional development (RBPD) specialists in the early education field.
We provide support through professional development for trainers, coaches, and RBPD specialists, including the following:
- Trainings for early childhood professionals who want to become trainers and course writers
- Events and conferences including our spring Trainer and RBPD Specialist Symposium and our Fall RBPD Retreat
- The Trainer Academy
- Training of Trainers events for DHS courses
- The RBPD Credential
- Observation and coaching for trainers
- Building trainer capacity statewide
- Recruiting trainers statewide
- Support for Develop users
- Data collection to evaluate the TARSS program
Want to know more? Below you’ll find video introductions to TARSS, training, and relationship-based professional development (RBPD)!
What does it take to become a trainer?
Take a look at our infographic detailing the financial and time investment you can expect to make to become an approved trainer in Minnesota.
Keep in touch
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Program staff
Ann Bailey, PhD, Director, CEED
Bailey has more than 20 years of experience in the field of education and special education, specifically in technical assistance and dissemination at regional and national levels, as well as teaching, evaluation, research, and training development. She oversees the research and evaluation work of CEED and is currently working on evaluation planning and research related to early childhood assessment, early childhood literacy, and child care systems.
Melissa Donovan, MEd, TARSS Training Specialist
Donovan has been in the early childhood field for about 20 years in various roles. In her current role, she manages the rich professional development offerings provided by the TARSS program, including online and in-person courses and trainings as well as events like the RBPD Fall Retreat and Trainer and RBPD Specialist Symposium.
Molly Hughes, MA, Implementation Specialist
Hughes joined the TARSS team in 2023 after spending over 25 years in the field in a variety of direct care settings. She is also an approved trainer and course writer.
Mary McEathron, PhD, Research Associate and Lead Evaluator
McEathron has 20 years of experience evaluating state and local programs with an emphasis on useful evaluations that support learning and program improvements. She has worked with numerous training and professional development programs, and brings that experience to her work as the lead evaluator for TARSS.
Deborah Ottman, MA, Professional Development Coordinator
Ottman oversees CEED’s partnership with the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities funded by the Minnesota Department of Education, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), supporting Minnesota’s early childhood professionals and related service providers via a state-wide professional development system. In addition, Ottman manages the development and delivery of CEED’s suite of rigorous, relationship-based online courses and self-study modules, as well as evidence-based resources such as CEED’s Tip Sheets for early childhood professionals and the Child Development for Child Welfare library of resources.
Need to get in touch with a member of our team? Email us at tarss@umn.edu or call 612-624-5708.