On March 22, 2020, DCF Secretary Chad Poppell signed an
Emergency Order that included training information:
“Suspend section 402.305(2)(e), Florida Statutes, for the purpose of promoting flexibility and allowing for alternative educations and testing methods for child care personnel where COVID-19 has prevented access to same.”
The purpose of this EO is to allow a six-month extension for the completion of competency exams, as these are primarily conducted at our local colleges, which have been closed. Therefore, students that need to take the competency exams, will have until Sept. 21, 2020, to complete their testing.
Training Coordinating Agencies have been granted the option to offer virtual classes that will provide students the opportunity to interact in the manner as it is outlined for the instructor-led class. The viable alternative will be allotted to our community as well as the high school programs.
The virtual classes will be conducted in a manner that is guided by the instructor and which will allow for participation by the students. For further details please contact the Education Department at 407-532-4158.
The Office of Child Care Regulation has “opened the time-frame window” to allow for the completion of online courses beyond the 45-day requirement. For those students who enrolled in an online class as of Jan. 28, 2020, and later, will be allowed additional time to complete the course. The course will also be left open so that the student can go back and review prior to taking the competency exam.