Authorized Entities

Professional Development Agencies

The Authorized Entity (AE) application process was created to provide organizations with an efficient, effective outlet for submitting and scheduling their trainings. Entities that deliver professional development training relevant to those serving children and families may apply to become a “Gateways Registry Authorized Entity”. This designation provides an option for the trainings offered by the entity to be submitted as Registry-approved trainings. The process validates that the entity’s trainer and training selection process meets the criteria established by the Registry.

If your organization offers professional development, has policies and procedures in place for selecting trainers and trainings, and your trainings have learning objectives and methods to assess those objectives, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an Authorized Entity Application.

Authorized Entity Resources

Registry Members

As a Registry member, it is important to recognize that trainings offered by Authorized Entities are Registry-approved and will therefore show up on your Professional Development Record in Section 3. It is possible that not every training offered by an Authorized Entity will be Registry-approved. The trainings that are approved will have an attendance sheet for Registry members to sign. For ease, you may add your Registry Member ID # if you have it available.

Authorized Entities List

Authorized Entity Presentation

Authorized Entity FAQ

Authorized Entity Policy and Procedure

Authorized Entity Tricks and Tips

 

Conference Requests for Proposals

Multilingual Education Conference
April 26, 2025
WIU - Quad Cities Campus
Moline, IL

Submit Workshop Proposal - Due March 21, 2025

 

 

Training Resources

Resource Title Description Form
Gateways to Opportunity Content Areas Handout This handout provides in-depth descriptions of each of the Gateways to Opportunity Content Areas. Content Area assignments are required for each training submitted.
Example Training Break Out
Gateways to Opportunity Registry Levels of Learning Explanation
Gateways to Opportunity Registry Levels of Learning Grid explaining the 3 Levels of Learning and information on the presenter’s focus, training content, assessment of knowledge and skills, evaluation and reflection, and recommended participant experience at each Level of Learning.
Levels of Learning Rubric Checklist used to determine the Level of your training accurately. Based on the majority of checked boxes in a given column helps you assign the correct Level of Learning for your training.
Gateways to Opportunity Training Approval Scoring Sheet This sheet shows the training application criteria and how each section is scored. Use this sheet to check the training application for thoroughness.
Content Outline Template Handout A content outline must be submitted with each Gateways Registry Training Approval Application. This handout is a template to ensure required information is included.
Objective Development Tool Chart containing new action verbs for Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy to help you write appropriate learning objectives, select appropriate instructional strategies and give you suggestions for suitable discussion questions for each Level of Learning.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Areas Handout This handout provides in-depth description of each of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Content Areas. CDA Content Area assignments are required for each training submitted.
Learning Objectives Examples for Levels of Learning Examples of how a single objective and its assessment varies according to Level of Learning. The table demonstrates how levels of knowledge and application increase with each level.
Gateways Special Event Workshop Approval Application A Special Event Workshop is considered to be a training typically one day in length where all attendees attend the same presentation(s). It may consist of one or more trainers. If your event consists of several breakout sessions and scheduled over multiple days, you should request and complete the Gateways Registry-Verified Conference Scheduling Form
Gateways Registry-Approved Training Participant Evaluation Form (English)
Gateways Registry-Approved Training Participant Evaluation Form (Spanish)
Attendance Form (English)
Attendance Form (Spanish)

Registry Verified Conferences

A  Gateways to Opportunity Registry Verified Conference is one that has undergone a review of the conference workshop selection process to ensure quality standards are met and attendance has been verified by the Registry. Conference attendees will receive credit on Section 4 of their Professional Development Record for each session they attend at the conference.  Some of the conference sessions may also be Registry-Approved, which means that the presenters have gone through an additional content review process.  This process is initiated by the session presenter.

To learn about the Registry Verified Conference process, please watch this video tutorial.

Please contact the Training Administration Coordinator after viewing the presentation to request a Registry Verified Conference Scheduling Form.

If you are interested in presenting a session at an Illinois conference, click here to find current Conference Requests for Proposals.

 

Trainer Approval

Trainers in the field of early care and education, school-age, and youth development can apply to validate trainings provided as part of the larger professional development system.  There are two types of trainers approved through the Gateways Registry:

  • Gateways Registry Trainers—Individuals who primarily train practitioners in the field of early care and education, school-age, and youth development and have at least 12 contact hours of documented experience providing instruction to adults within the last three years.
  • Gateways Specialty Trainers—Individuals who provide training on special topics related to the field. Examples of these topics are CPR/First Aid, business practices, technology, etc.

Trainers interested in becoming Gateways Registry-Approved must apply. The process includes applying as a trainer as well as submitting one training for approval (see below).  To apply, please complete the Gateways Trainer Application, Information Update Form, Gateways Training Application.  Resources and a Registry Trainer Process FAQ sheet are available to assist in completing the application process.

Before final approval, a trainer must complete the following online trainings:

Please note that you will not be approved until you have completed these required trainings.

An active Gateways Registry-Approved Trainer may submit additional trainings for approval after the initial approval.  Approval is valid for three years.  A reminder email is sent approximately two months before the renewal date and the renewal requirements must be met before renewal will be approved.

Registry-Approved Trainers will receive:

  • Marketing for yourself and your trainings on the Gateways Training Calendar.
  • A trainer support system including trainer development opportunities.

Training Approval

Training Approval is an important component of the Gateways to Opportunity Registry. The approval process ensures that trainings have been reviewed and meet quality criteria.

  • Training approval is valid for three years.
  • Upon approval, trainings may be scheduled repeatedly.
  • Scheduling an approved training allows it to appear on the Gateways Training Calendar (if desired). Trainers submit appropriate paperwork so participants receive credit on the PDR.
  • To request approval for distance learning training, please complete the Gateways Registry Distance Learning Training Approval Form.