School-Age and Youth Development (SAYD) Credential

The School-Age and Youth Development (SAYD) Credential is currently being developed by a committee of professionals from across Illinois. The Illinois School-Age and Youth Committee (I-SAY) is dedicated to increasing the quality of services for children and youth through professional development of the workforce.

The SAY Credential is being developed to:

• Promote high-quality services for children and families by preparing and supporting qualified, well-trained school-age and youth development practitioners.
• Provide adults working with school-age children and youth the opportunity to gain professional recognition for demonstrating competencies in their on-the-job skills.
• Standardize personnel requirements within the field.
• Formally define an educational pathway for current school-age and youth development practitioners as well as those interested in the field.

More information for school-age and youth development professionals is located on the following pages of this Web site:

• ECE Administrators Listserv

• Gateways Scholarship Program

• Great START

• Higher Education Institution Directory

• Inside Gateways Newsletter

• Illinois Job Board/Career Development

• Resources

• Statewide Online Training Calendar

Please contact us for more information.