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Ohio PROMISE Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC)

With Ohio PROMISE, Ohio is on its way to ensuring that every Ohio family is healthy and supported when needed. Children with disabilities must be included with their friends, neighbors, and peers from birth so they can thrive wherever they live, play, and learn. The Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC) was created to raise the level of awareness, knowledge, competency, and confidence of professionals attending to the needs of children with disabilities, their families,  and creating an inclusive environment for all children.

This credential was created by the Ohio State Leadership Team on Early Childhood Inclusion, a dedicated group of state agency and organization professionals working with teachers and parents, to identify where Ohio is in its implementation of high-quality indicators of inclusion.

Three (3) levels of the credential will be offered to represent increasing levels of knowledge and implementation of inclusive practices across early care and education environments: PECIC Level 1 (Aware), PECIC Level 2 (Knowledgeable), and PECIC Level 3 (Advanced).

Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC) Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the goal of the Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC)?

With Ohio PROMISE, Ohio is on its way to ensuring that every Ohio family is healthy and supported when needed. Our children with disabilities  must be included with their friends, neighbors, and peers from birth so they can thrive wherever they live, play, and learn. The Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC) was created to raise the level of awareness, knowledge, competency, and confidence of professionals attending to the needs of children with disabilities, their families,  and creating an inclusive environment for all children.

Why is the PECIC credential important?

The importance of specialized training for a professionals’ ability to deliver quality instruction, equity in education, and academic and social success are all well established. By creating an easily accessible, free, and relevant professional development resource, Ohio can help those in the early care and education field learn about how to care for all our children and Ohio can increase access for families who want to know their child will be safe and cared for when away from their family.

How will the PECIC credential benefit me?

This credential is important to your role as an early childhood professional because it advances your knowledge and skill development related to serving all young children and families.

How will the PECIC credential benefit my early care and education program?

Early care and education programs benefit because they have confident and competent staff members with specialized training that will be able to provide care and education safely and effectively to any child. Programs which can demonstrate their ability to provide high-quality care and education will be sought after in the community, may be eligible for financial and other incentives from national, state and local opportunities, and change the world for the better by expecting inclusion of children with disabilities as the norm.

Who can apply for this credential?

Level 1 (Aware)

  1. A minimum of a High School Diploma is required to earn a Level 1 credential, unless you can document your enrollment in or graduation from a Career Technical Education course of study as a high school student
  2. There is no requirement to be working in a child care setting or early education program to earn a Level 1 credential

Level 2 (Knowledgeable)

  1. Have a minimum of a verified High School diploma in the Education tab of your OPR profile; or 
  2. Have an employment role of High School Junior or HS Senior or Graduate; and 
  3. Have already received your PECIC Level I Ohio Promise Inclusion Credential. 

PECIC Level 3 (Advanced)

Coming Spring 2024!

How often is the PECIC credential renewed?

The Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC) will be initially issued for 2 years. After that period of time,  a renewal of the credential can be earned and will be active for  3 years.

When may I apply for each level of this credential?

Professionals may only pursue one level of the PECIC Inclusion Credential at a time, beginning with the Aware level. Even if you are not required to work through Level 1 as a prerequisite, you must follow the directions to seek and be awarded the lower levels, beginning with 1, before moving to seek a higher level credential.  You do not, however, need to wait for your credential to expire to seek a high level of the credential.