Staff Staff strengths, qualifications and skills include: Staff members have attained BA degrees in education, AA degrees in Human Services, and or certified in early education. All staff have a wealth of experience in working with young children. Retention of 5 lead teacher qualified staff for 10 plus years. Two staff have been employed for 18 years. Two staff are Minnesota Early Childhood and School Age trainers. Three staff are trained in the “Infant Toddler Training Intensive” modules. Nine staff are trained in the “Project Exceptional” curriculum including the Nurtured Hear Approach. Twelve staff participated in the “First Signs”. Two staff are regional and district trainers and continue to provide training to licensed child care providers, foster care parents and family, friend and neighbor caregivers. The director participates in the District Child Care Works Project, coordinates the Austin Early Childhood Initiative, board member the Mower County Child Care Association. She is an Emerging Leader through the Children’s Defense Fund and is a fellow leader through the Blandin Community Leadership program. She was also nominated as Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. One staff is enrolled in an early childhood program under the Minnesota T.E.A.C.H scholarship program. This program was developed to increase the level of education among child care providers working with young children. The T.E.A.C.H. program aims to make the educational process affordable, increase wages, and reduce provider turnover rates. Two staff are certified child care mentors through the Minnesota Licensed Child Care Association.