04/08/2026
🌟 Celebrating a Historic Milestone in Early Childhood Education! 🌟
The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (VIDHS), through the Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services (OCCRS), proudly celebrates the successful completion of the Infant-Toddler Micro Credential Program – Class of 2026 — the first program of its kind in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Over the course of 15 weeks, 13 dedicated early childhood professionals participated in an intensive learning experience designed to strengthen their knowledge and competencies in infant and toddler development. This pioneering initiative marks an important step in strengthening the Territory's early childhood workforce and enhancing the quality of care provided to infants and toddlers across the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As the first step toward earning the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, participants completed coursework and professional development through two nationally recognized learning platforms—the iPD Portfolio, developed by the Office of Head Start, and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Learning Center. The program was made possible through the invaluable support and technical assistance of our federal partners: the Office of Child Care, the Child Care State Capacity Building Center (SCBC), and the Child Care Quality and Business Support Center (CQBSC).
Throughout the program, participants gained valuable knowledge and practical skills in:
👶 Infant and toddler development
❤️ Responsive caregiving practices
🧸 Trauma-informed care
👨👩👧 Family engagement
📚 Strategies that support the healthy growth, development, and learning of infants and toddlers
We proudly recognize the members of the inaugural Infant-Toddler Micro Credential Program – Class of 2026:
🎓 Sherilyn Hodge – Director, Wesley Methodist Preschool (STT)
🎓 Angel Seymour – Teacher's Aide, Clifton Hill Day Care (STX)
🎓 Sade Lubrin – Teacher, Watch Me Grow (STX)
🎓 Romina Frett-Stapleton – Teacher, UVI Child Care Lab (STT)
🎓 Odaysha Abraham – Regulatory Specialist, OCCRS (STX)
🎓 Tanayka Morales – Teacher, Clifton Hill Day Care (STX)
🎓 Amayah Sherrif – Teacher, Watch Me Grow (STX)
🎓 Jamaya Rodriguez – Teacher, Watch Me Grow Academy (STX)
🎓 Ashbey Williams – Teacher, Moravian Mary's Daycare (STT)
🎓 Jennifer Abraham – Director, Watch Me Grow (STX)
🎓 Michelle Sebastian-Simon – Licensing Specialist, OCCRS (STX)
🎓 Yessenia Velasquez – Custodian, Lutheran Social Services Early Head Start East (STX)
🎓 Kay Callwood – Director, KIDZ First Daycare (STT)
Congratulations to each participant for your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to professional excellence. Your successful completion of this inaugural program reflects your passion for lifelong learning and your investment in providing the highest quality care and education for the Virgin Islands' youngest children.
VIDHS and OCCRS look forward to supporting future cohorts and expanding opportunities that continue to strengthen the early childhood education workforce throughout the Territory.
Together, we are building a brighter future—one child, one educator, and one milestone at a time. 💜🧸
