FCCLA and the Council for Professional Recognition Partner to Strengthen Career Pathways in Early Childhood Education

New partnership connects Family and Consumer Sciences education, FCCLA experiences, and an industry-recognized credential to prepare the next generation of early childhood professionals.

HERNDON, VA – October 22, 2026 – Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Council for Professional Recognition to support students as they move from classroom learning to career-ready credentials and careers in early childhood education.

The partnership will strengthen connections between Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education, FCCLA experiences, credential attainment, and workforce readiness through the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™.

Students already develop and apply many of the skills essential for success in early childhood education and related careers through FCS coursework and FCCLA participation. The partnership will help educators more intentionally connect those experiences to CDA® competencies and credential preparation, creating additional opportunities for students to build upon their classroom learning and develop career-ready skills.

Through this collaboration, FCCLA and the Council for Professional Recognition will highlight connections between CDA competencies and FCCLA Competitive Events, National Programs, the FCCLA Planning Process, and Curriculum Unit Development. These experiences provide opportunities for students to strengthen their skills in a wide range of areas, including child development, observation, planning, developmentally appropriate practice, communication, reflection, documentation, and professional presentation.

The partnership will also provide CDA resources and professional development opportunities to help FCS educators integrate credential preparation into classroom instruction and FCCLA experiences. By connecting these educational experiences with an industry-recognized credential, the organizations aim to create a clearer pathway from classroom learning to career preparation.

Together, FCCLA and the Council for Professional Recognition are building a clearer pathway for students:

FCS Classroom → FCCLA → CDA Credential → Career

The partnership will connect classroom learning, leadership experiences, and an industry-recognized credential to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to pursue careers supporting children and families.

From classroom to credential, FCCLA and the Council for Professional Recognition are working to prepare the next generation of early childhood professionals and strengthen the future early childhood education workforce.

About FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a nationally recognized, student-led organization rooted in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. FCCLA empowers more than 260,000 student members across approximately 5,400 chapters nationwide to develop leadership skills and prepare for careers that strengthen families, careers, and communities. For more information, visit fcclainc.org.

About the Council for Professional Recognition

The Council for Professional Recognition advances career pathways for early childhood educators through high-quality, competency-based credentialing. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings, including Head Start, pre-K, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, over one million Child Development Associate® (CDA) credentials have been issued around the world. For more information, visit cdacouncil.org.