Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU launches early childhood care training for Laoag City Child Development Workers

By Benedict Jay Collado

In a proactive step toward inclusive early childhood education, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through its Early Childhood and Special Needs Education Department (ECSNED), kicked off its early childhood care and development training for Laoag City Child Development Workers yesterday at the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTEx) Hall. 

The initiative, dubbed ‘Project Detect and Connect,’ is designed to strengthen the knowledge and practical skills of the development workers in the prevention, early identification, and appropriate referral of children with developmental delays, disorders, or disabilities.
 

The project is designed in two phases to promote inclusive care. Phase 1, which began yesterday, focuses on training frontline workers in Laoag City through a comprehensive three-day program. The training sessions will continue on August 28 and September 4. Phase 2, set to take place next year, will involve training parents and guardians as part of the same initiative.
 

The opening day drew 54 workers from across Laoag City, while several local and academic leaders showed their support for the initiative, including City Councilor Justine Clarence Chua, Chair of the Committee on Social Welfare and Development, Ms. Perlita Cabello, City Social Welfare and Development Chair, and Ms. Jiwani Silva, Social Welfare Officer and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Focal Person.
 

College of Teacher Education (CTE) Dean Ronald Candy Lasaten and ECSNED Department Chair May Flor Rivera, along with CTE’s Extension Coordinator Imelda Najorda, also showed support for the initiative.

The morning session focused on foundational concepts, with Ms. Eva Dela Rosa outlining prevention programs and Mr. Jeremy Adrian Guiang discussing family support. Ms. Angela Malinay then detailed the identification process. The participants then engaged in a workshop on analyzing ECCD Checklist results after the sessions. 

In the afternoon, the training shifted to practical application, as Prof. Leonardo Tejano explained the importance of medical and educational referrals. Ms. Crystal Limos provided strategies for collaborative family conferences, while Ms. Jasmin Mari Domingo outlined referral protocols. The day concluded with a simulation workshop on preparing official referral forms.

Project Leader, Mr. Vernon Jeffrey Ponce, the Program Coordinator of Bachelor of Special Needs Education, shared that this program has a simple belief: it is that when parents or guardians detect early, they can connect early, and when this happens, they can give every child a better opportunity to learn, participate, and thrive. 

"Project Detect and Connect is a continuing program that includes capacity-building, parent education, developmental monitoring, referral coordination, professional collaboration, and follow-up support. It seeks to build a stronger system in which Child Development Workers are better equipped, parents are properly guided, and children are connected with the services they need,” he added. 

The initiative will continue on August 28 for its second day through Zoom, covering planning and evaluation of intervention activities. Participants will explore inclusive education concepts and participate in workshops on Individual Learning Plans (ILDP) and weekly learning plan modification.

Additionally, the last day of Phase 1 on September 4 will be the presentation and finalization of the workshop outputs with panel feedback. 

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