DCYF is tracking federal actions that may affect programs serving Minnesota children and families. Get verified facts, current status, and how services continue.
Providing Coaching, Training and Advising
Minnesota's professional development system for early childhood professionals relies on:
- Trainers
- Course writers
- Relationship-based professional development (RBPD) specialists—including coaches, consultants, and mentors
- Training sponsor organizations (TSOs)
DCYF contracts with local organizations to support individuals who want to train, coach, or provide professional development across the state.
Develop system
Develop is a web-based application to support professional development in early learning and school-age care. It provides tools to find, track, and manage training for individuals, trainers, course writers, RBPD specialists, and training sponsor organizations.
All Trainer, Course Writer, and RBPD Specialist applicants must apply for Individual Membership in Develop and earn a Career Lattice Step as part of the overall approval process. Visit the Achieve website for Individual Membership resources and to download the Individual Membership Companion Guide in your language of choice. You can also learn more about the 12 Career Lattice Steps, from entry-level to advanced.
Individuals search for training opportunities in Develop. They can also search for trainers, course writers, and RBPD specialists.
If you need help using Develop, the How do I? webpage contains how-to guides, videos, and FAQs. You can also contact the Develop help desk for direct customer service support.
Visit Fast Facts for data about the training offered and completed across the Minnesota Knowledge and Competency Framework areas.
Trainers
With a Trainer membership in Develop, you can:
- Be added to authorized Trainer lists for courses owned by other course writers and organizations
- Schedule and facilitate approved training events from courses you own or for which you are authorized
Minnesota Trainer Orientation 1 and 2 are free, on-demand courses that can help you identify the components of Minnesota’s professional development system as it relates to trainers and training. See the Trainer and RBPD Specialist Support (TARSS) program at the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) for more information.
For questions or one-on-one assistance, visit the TARSS webpage for Trainers. TARSS offers a variety of supports for both new and experienced Trainers, including individualized help, courses, symposiums, and community meetings.
With a Trainer membership in Develop, you are eligible for free observation and coaching to help improve your skills. Learn more from TARSS.
Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for Trainers serves as a guiding document for trainers who support the state’s early childhood and school-age care workforce. It outlines clear expectations to ensure high-quality training delivery.
Training of Trainers (TOTs) can help you learn to deliver courses owned by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. To participate in a TOT, you must meet minimum requirements and apply. Opportunities for TOTs are announced and posted on the TARSS website.
Course Writers
With a Course Writer membership in Develop, you can submit courses for approval, own approved courses, and give access to approved Trainers for the courses you own.
Minnesota Course Writer Orientation is a free, on-demand course that helps you explore the components of Minnesota’s professional development system as it relates to Course Writers and their role in instructional design. Learn more from the Trainer and RBPD Specialist Support (TARSS) program at the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED).
For questions or one-on-one assistance, visit the TARSS webpage for Course Writers. TARSS offers courses to prepare you to apply for Develop’s Course Writer Membership, along with one-on-one assistance, symposiums, and monthly workshops.
RBPD Specialists
With a Relationship-Based Professional Development (RBPD) Specialist endorsement in Develop, you can provide one-on-one support to early educators through coaching, consultation, or mentoring.
Develop currently offers 13 pathways for RBPD Specialist approval. Each pathway is called an RBPD endorsement. Most of these endorsements require verified employment with a specific agency. Learn more about RBPD Specialist approval requirements.
The Trainer and RBPD Specialist Support (TARSS) program at the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) offers an RBPD Specialist Development Guide as a tool for RBPD Specialists to reflect on their knowledge, practices, and skills.
The Achieve website offers support information, including FAQs and a tip sheet for supervisors of RBPD Specialists. For questions or one-on-one assistance, RBPD Specialists can visit the Trainer and RBPD Specialist Support (TARSS) webpage.
Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for RBPD Specialists serves as a guiding document for coaches and consultants who support the state’s early educators.
TARSS offers a 15 week-long RBPD Credential course for new and experienced coaches, consultants, and mentors focused on developing skills and competencies. The course is evidence-based and supports all models of coaching. Visit the TARRS webpage for RBPD Specialists for more information about the scheduled offerings, costs, and how to enroll.
Training Sponsor Organizations
With a Training Sponsor Organization (TSO) approval in Develop, TSOs have organizational access to provide professional development to early educators. This allows the organization to own approved courses and manage authorized Trainer lists for those courses in Develop.
Learn more about becoming a TSO on the Achieve website. The one-page guide explains the process of becoming a TSO, as well as the benefits it provides.