For RBPD specialists
We support the relationship-based professional development (RBPD) specialists who work with Minnesota’s early childhood professionals. We host two annual events: the RBPD Retreat and the Trainer and RBPD Specialist Symposium. We also host the RBPD Credential.
What is RBPD?
Relationship-based professional development (RBPD) includes coaching, consulting, mentoring, and advising services for early learning and school-age professionals. These services happen in many different early childhood environments and are not unique to one early childhood education (ECE) setting. In Minnesota, early childhood educators receive RBPD support throughout the state's mixed delivery system.
The State of Minnesota has a Knowledge and Competency Framework that guides the work of RBPD specialists.
What is Minnesota's mixed delivery system?
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) defines mixed delivery as the strategy of providing families with access to high-quality ECE programming through a variety of settings that meet state-established standards. These settings include Head Start as well as school-based, center-based, and home-based child care programs. Staff from all these community early learning programs collaborate with families and each other to inform and strengthen the mixed delivery system.
What do RBPD specialists do?
RBPD specialists are sometimes called coaches, consultants, or mentors. RBPD specialists provide early childhood educators with personalized support. This form of professional development:
- Helps early childhood professionals gain new knowledge and improve their skills and abilities
- Fosters professional growth and career achievement
- Creates the conditions for sustainable change in practice
- Improves children’s developmental outcomes
RBPD specialists apply their knowledge and skills across Minnesota's mixed delivery system. They support early learning and school-age professionals in school-, center-, and home-based ECE programs, as well as in Head Start programs.
RBPD Credential
Develop-approved clock hours: 45
Location and delivery: live, virtual
Cost: $1,400 | $1,000 for early childhood professionals in Minnesota
Who should sign up: new and experienced coaches, consultants, mentors, and administrators
Prerequisites: none
Unique skills for a unique role
Coaching adults on belief and behavior change requires a different set of skills than administrative tasks. The RBPD Credential is a dynamic professional development program designed for coaches, mentors, and consultants who are committed to deepening their impact. Grounded in evidence-based content, the program strengthens core competencies in RBPD and elevates participants’ professional practice. Through engaging readings, interactive discussions, and meaningful applied activities, participants expand their knowledge, refine their skills, and gain practical strategies to sustain and strengthen their work in the field.
The Credential is:
- Designed for new and experienced coaches, mentors, and consultants
- Appropriate for coaches in a variety of roles internal or external to an organization
- Foundational, evidence-based content that supports any model of coaching preferred by an organization
- Skills- and competencies-based for more effective client interactions
- A chance to grow a community of support
Although the coursework was rigorous, the skills and competencies learned exceeded our expectations. Staff walked away with an abundance of knowledge and practices they will utilize in their coaching, including; building effective relationships, motivational interviewing, boundary challenges, powerful questions, heavy coaching vs. light coaching, and more. Throughout the process, I was amazed at how quickly and seamlessly coaches implemented practices they learned. I highly recommend the RBPD Credential to Head Start programs needing to comply with Head Start Performance Standards (1302.92: training and professional development). Lastly, a shout-out to our cohort's amazing instructors!
Participants complete the program as part of a cohort of 12 to 14 peers. They apply the content in real time in their work with early childhood professionals.
The curriculum consists of 15 week-long modules. Each module includes assignments and activities such as readings, discussion board prompts, and a regularly scheduled live Zoom meeting with other participants. The Credential can be completed in 15 weeks, or it can be completed at a slower pace with periodic breaks. Participants who complete the RBPD Credential receive a certificate for 45 clock hours. For Minnesota residents, the training will be added to their Develop record.
- Questions about registration or need assistance? Email ceedregister@umn.edu. Responses may take up to two business days.
- To pay by check, email ceedregister@umn.edu.
- We are unable to process group registrations at this time. Please register each member of your group individually using a credit card.
- All online meetings are on Zoom.
- All online courses are on the Canvas platform.
- Develop is the online registry for early childhood professional development in Minnesota. After you complete a Develop-approved course, your attendance will be entered in Develop within three business days.
- We provide certificates for clock hours rather than continuing education units (CEUs) because our participants work in a variety of fields. Participants submit our certificates to the credentialing body relevant to their field, which determines the equivalent CEUs.
- To earn clock hours, you must attend the entire course.
- For multi-session courses, you must attend all sessions in full.
- We do not offer courses for academic credit.
- No cancellations or refunds are offered for on-demand courses.
- No transfers are allowed.
F.A.Q.
What qualifications are needed to apply for the RBPD Credential program?
Although there are no specific training or course prerequisites for participating in this program, participants tend to be able to better engage with the material if they have some experience with coaching or being coached.
How long does the program take to complete?
The Credential includes 15 sessions of content. These sessions are scheduled around U.S. holidays and other important considerations, including scheduled breaks to allow for coursework, if needed. Typically the Credential sessions are completed within 4-6 months.
Is this an online program?
The Credential is currently offered online. There may be flexibility to offer an in-person or hybrid model. If you are interested in a customized cohort for your group, please reach out to tarss@umn.edu.
Why does the program cost so much?
This is a highly relationship-based, interactive course. The cost of $1,400 is discounted to $1,000 if you currently work in the early childhood field in Minnesota. This is $22 per clock hour for Minnesota participants and $31 per clock hour for others.
Have a question we didn't answer here? Email us at tarss@umn.edu.
Future cohorts
Interested in joining a future cohort? Fill out our interest form. Or get in touch at tarss@umn.edu to learn how we can provide a private cohort experience for your organization.
Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash
RBPD Specialist Development Guide
Every day, RBPD specialists support others in setting goals and planning their growth and development journey. Our downloadable development guide is a tool for RBPD specialists to reflect on their own knowledge, practices, and skills while planning for future growth and learning. For RBPD specialists who are employed by an organization, goal setting and planning with supervisors can help provide support, resources, accountability, and insights.
- Download the RBPD Specialist Development Guide