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CYCCB Office
1212 Orr Street
College Station, Texas 77840
979-764-7306

About

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CYCCB is led by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of members elected by CYC Certified Practitioners or appointed by the Board to represent key partnering organizations.  Board terms are for 4 years or run concurrently with partnering organization leadership roles. Leadership and management are provided by officers elected by the Board who compose the Executive Committee.  This includes: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and past presidents.

Current CYCCB Board of Directors


Cindy Wilson2Cindy Carraway-Wilson, MA, CYC-P

Director of Training
Youth Catalytics
Charlotte, Vermont

CYCCB President
Senior Portfolio Assessor
U.S. Chair, Competency Review Committee 

Cindy Carraway-Wilson has over 20 years of experience in the child, youth, and family services field. She has extensive experience in program evaluation and outcome measurement, and trains on a variety of topics such as positive youth development, youth participation, and asset building, and LGBTQ+ topics.

Before coming to Youth Catalytics, she worked as a counselor and mental health therapist in Pennsylvania and at Kids in Crisis in Greenwich, CT. She is a member of the training cadre for the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development and a certified trainer from the Academy for Educational Development.  She trains for Youth in Focus and the Academy for Competent Youth Work.

She has a master’s degree in psychology from Duquesne University. She lives in Maine with her husband and two Alaskan huskies. 



Gene CavaliereL. Gene Cavaliere, MA, CYC-P

Lead Trainer
New England Training Associates
Chepachet, Rhode Island

Member, CYCCB Certification Process Committee
Member, ACYCP Board of Directors

For the past 30+ years, Gene has been a leader in the field of child and youth care. Gene has worked directly with many troubled youth and families. He has mentored many new youth workers to help them become better prepared child and youth care professionals. 

Gene has trained staff extensively in all his employment settings and frequently speaks at national and international conferences. He has led programs in group homes and residential facilities, as well as consulted with various programs, agencies and charter schools to improve services and training. 
 
Gene has been involved with state regulatory tasks forces, board of directors and associations that advocate for improved child and youth care services. This includes supporting the National Organization for Child Care Worker Associations (currently ACYCP) in its early years and currently serving on the ACYCP Board.   Other board memberships include: New England Association of Child Care (NEACC),  Rhode Island Council of Resource Providers (RICORP),  Rhode Island Parent Support Network (RIPSN), and New England Training Associates.


Dale-CurryDale Curry, PhD, CYC-P

Professor Emeritus
Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
Tallmadge, Ohio

CYCCB Special Advisor
Member, CYCCB Research Committee
Past Vice President, CYCCB
Past Chair, CYCCB Research Committee
Director, International Human Services Workforce Research Institute at Kent State
Member, National Linked Professional Development Leadership Team
Principle Investigator, NACP Pilot Testing Program

Dale is Professor Emeritus, Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences at Kent State University. He has over 40 years of experience in direct service, supervision, administration, education and training in child and family. He is a nationally recognized leader in the area of human service training and development; previously serving as an Executive Board member of the National Staff development and Training Association as well Chair of the association’s Ethics, Trainer Certification, and Evaluation Committees. He was also the Vice President of the North American Child and Youth Care Certification Board, serving as Chair of the Research Committee and Principal Investigator of the North American Child Certification Project.

He has authored more than 100 publications, 25 evaluation reports, and 165 conference presentations.  He is currently the Interim Editor of the Journal of Child and Youth Care Work and was the Founding Editor of Training and Development in Human Services; the journal of the National Staff Development and Training Association.



Frank Eckles 216Frank Eckles, BA, CYC-P

Executive Director
Academy for Competent Youth Work
College Station, Texas

CYCCB Office Administrator
CYCCB Past President

Frank splits his time between his role as Board Member of the international Child and Youth Care Certification Board and facilitating growth for the hundreds of CYCs who engage in learning programs offered by the Academy for Competent Youth Work. Frank is the Academy’s Executive Director, author of the Child and Youth Care: Foundations Course, and co-author of the Youth Thrive: Protective and Promotive Factors for Healthy Development and Well-Being training. Frank is also the Executive Director of the CYC Certification Institute.

Frank serves on the boards of CYCCB and Global Support for Kids.  He is a frequent speaker at conferences, facilitates challenge course adventure activities, and thoroughly enjoys being in the world as a professional Child and Youth Care Practitioner. 



Deb Getz2Deborah Getz, Re.D., CYC-P

Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Applied Health Science
Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

CYCCB Secretary
Chair, CYCCB Higher Education Committee
Past Chair, CYCCB Research Committee

Dr. Getz is committed to supporting the professionalization of youth work in the U.S.  She led the development of the IU APHS major and minor in youth development, actively engages in efforts to support national certification through the Child and Youth Care Certification Board, and works to support awareness of issues critical to protecting child safety.

Deb has engaged in curriculum development, design, delivery, and evaluation on a wide variety of topics in youth development, child protection, personal financial education, and community engagement. She is particularly passionate about educating youth workers and the public about child exploitation and human trafficking prevention and identification.



Tammy HopperTammy L. Hopper, MSW, CYC-P

Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer
National SafePlace Network
Louisville, Kentucky

CYCCB Board Member

Tammy Hopper currently serves as the Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer for the National Safe Place Network. She has almost 30 years of experience working with and on behalf of youth via direct care, supervisory and clinical roles.

As a youth care professional dedicated to positive systems change, Tammy has served as a lead advocate and coalition member during advocacy efforts at local, regional and national levels.



Photo Michael Jones Michael A. Jones, MA

Managing Director
National Partnership for Juvenile Services
Lexington, Kentucky

Michael has worked with the National Partnership since its inception in 2004. In addition, he provides organizational management and planning services for other non-profit organizations. He has managed grants and contracts with cumulative totals in excess of $10 million for agencies and non-profit organizations supporting human service professionals in child welfare, juvenile justice, corrections, mental health, and at-risk education. He has coordinated more than 100 state and national events, including conferences, trainings, satellite broadcasts, and webinars.

He is a recipient of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Education, Arts and Humanities Service Award and the National Partnership for Juvenile Services’ James Gould Award for Leadership and Vision.

He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Eastern Kentucky University.



Jullia Margetiak2Julia Margetiak, MS, CYC-P

Manager, Access, Intake and Health Information
EveryMind Mental Health Services
Mississauga, Ontario
Member, Certification Process Committee

Julia Margetiak has worked in the field of Child and Youth Care for 28 years, has been a member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC) for the past 22 years, she served on the OACYC Board of Directors for 6 years. She attained her Professional Certification as a Child and Youth Care Practitioner in 2014 and joined the Board of Directors for CYCCB that same year.

She has her Master of Science degree in Child and Youth Care Administration from Nova Southeastern University, Florida, Bachelor Degree in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University and Child and Youth Worker diploma from Humber College. Throughout her career she has worked with children, youth and their families in the education system, child welfare, developmental services and children’s mental health.

Julia is currently a Manager of Access, Intake and Health Information at EveryMind, an accredited child and youth mental health organization. Her interest in being on the CYCCB Board include seeing CYCs become regulated as a profession in Ontario, Canada, and use of professional certification through CYCCB as part of the move towards regulation.



Madeleine RybickiSister Madeleine Rybicki, CSFN, MA, CYC-P

Independent Consultant and Trainer
Cleveland, Ohio 

CYCCB Director Emeritus
CYCCB Past 1st Vice President
Senior Portfolio Assessor

Sister Madeleine is a national and international trainer and consultant.  She has a BS degree in Education from Duquesne University and a MA in Child Development and Child Care from the University of Pittsburgh where she received the Special Department Alumni Award in 2008.  Sister is a member of the religious congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Sister Madeleine is currently conducting contract training for the Institute of Human Services (pre-service and on-going training for foster parents; core training for Social Workers) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. She visits Viet Nam yearly to teach English classes for Catholic students.

Sister Madeleine has been a dedicated advocate working for children and families for over 40 years.  Her experience as a teacher, child and youth care practitioner, Director of Residential Services at Holy Family Institute in Pittsburgh, Founder and Director of the Parmadale Institute in Parma Ohio, and Director of Training at Holy Family Institute has given her a culturally rich and diverse background in working with mentally challenged youth.  Training is her passion.

She is a member of the following boards: Association of Child and Youth Care Practitioners; Child and Youth Care Certification Board; National Staff Development and Training Association; and Ohio Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals. She has presented at numerous conferences and conducted training in many states in the US and internationally in Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Philippines, South Africa, Newfoundland and Canada.  Her new skills as a certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer came after winning a two-year scholarship to attend the training. 

In her spare time Sister loves sports, biking, golf, backpacking, and photography. Most importantly, she is a dedicated fan of the Cleveland Indians, the Browns and Cavaliers.

Sr. Madeleine is the first person to be awarded the CYCCB Director Emeritus designation.



Kelly ShawKelly Shaw, PhD, MA, CYC-P 

CYC Faculty
Nova Scotia Community College
Truro, Nova Scotia

Board Member, CYCCB
Board Member, Council of Canadian CYC Associations
Member, CYC Educational Accreditation Board of Canada

Kelly Shaw is currently core faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College in the Child and Youth Care Diploma Program. She has an MA in Child and Youth Study, holds Child and Youth Care certification from the CYC Certification Board and is completing a PhD in Educational Studies at Brock University.

She has been consulting Director of Care for an organization that supports group treatment in the High Arctic, has taught in Pre-service CYC education in Inuit Nunangat, and is President of A Work in Progress, a consulting company offering support to CYC practitioners and child and youth caring organizations. Prior to moving to pre-service CYC education she spent a number of years working in a group treatment program that focused on family support and intervention and believes that family is always present.



Andrew Schneider-MunozAndrew Schneider-Munoz, EdD, CYC-P

Independent Consultant and Trainer
San Diego, California

CYCCB Special Advisor
Past President, Association for Child and Youth Care Practitioners
Member, National Linked Professional Development Leadership Team 



Andrew Schneider-MunozElizabeth Smith Miller, MS, CYC-P

Director of Operations
National Safe Place Network
Louisville, KY

ACYCP Liaison
Member, Marketing Committee

Elizabeth Smith Miller is a business and communications professional who has been personally and professionally connected to the youth and family services field for more than 27 years. She is a licensed foster parent and an adoptive parent who is actively engaged in the child welfare community.

Smith Miller has lived experience which helps drive her passion for serving youth and those dedicated to keeping youth safe. She has served on and lead youth advisory boards. She also has led the creation of a volunteer support center for an organization with more than 35 distinct programs. Smith Miller has experience in creating policies and procedures for state and national organizations. She has served as a subject matter expert for national trainings and facilitated webinars. She has also worked directly with runaway and homeless youth grantees and other youth service organizations as a professional consultant. She is an effective leader with a strong work ethic. She helps guide teams working under pressure and in difficult situations.

Smith Miller’s creative vision drives national operational, communication, branding, and marketing efforts for National Safe Place Network (NSPN) and its programs.



Donna Wilson2Donna Wilson, CYC-P

Consultant and Trainer  
Waukesha, Wisconsin 

CYCCB Treasurer 
Chair, Website Development Committee

All of Donna’s work has been in direct care, first in recreation, then in residential and currently in shelter care. She enjoys teaching swimming and water aerobics at her local clubs and has been doing so for 34 years.

Donna has been working with youth for 40 years (counting her babysitting years) and working with people coping with trauma for 30 years. Donna attended some college, leaving to support her military husband and start a family. She is divorced with a wonderful son, Chris, who will reach 30 years soon. She always hoped to finish college, and may someday.

Donna is passionate about youth care and CYCCB certification.  She was introduced to certification through the NACP pilot project in 2007 and was the first and only person certified at her job for 9 years after.

She feels that youth care workers need to be more proactive and start advocating for themselves and others. “We are professionals, and as professionals, we need to stand together, get certified, and get paid what we are worth.” Because of this, Donna looked into supporting the certification by becoming a board member.

She spends her vacation time supporting her local youth associations, Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals (50 years strong), and Association for Child & Youth Care Practice, (40 years old and founders of the CYCCB certification).



James Zarate2James Zarate, CYC-P
Director of Education
Big Brothers Big Sisters Metro Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

CYCCB Vice President
Chair, Certification Process Committee

James Zarate has worked in youth care since 2011. Beginning in direct care as a Youth Counselor at a residential care center in Wisconsin, James has progressed into leadership roles including management of two residential care living units.

He is currently the Director of Education with the mentoring agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. He oversees two school-based mentoring programs that help primary, secondary, and post-secondary students facing adversity build lasting relationships with mentors.  

He is currently working towards his MS in Organizational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University of Wisconsin. The focus of his graduate project is on Trauma Informed Care in public policy.

He was captain of the wrestling team in college and has spent time coaching high school wrestling. He enjoys staying active and spending time with his family. Other interests include chess, meditation, sciences, and cooking.



Debbie Zwicky2Debbie Zwicky, CYC-P
Consultant and Trainer 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

CYCCB Past Board Secretary
Senior Portfolio Assessor

Debbie has been in the CYC field for over twenty years working in the Milwaukee area with youth and families with history of trauma, mental illness, family dysfunction, addiction, abuse, neglect, and hopelessness. With this experience has come knowledge and understanding about building healthy relationships with youth and families and the benefits of trust and safety in helping youth and families heal.

Debbie’s experience as a CEO, Program Director, Supervisor, Trainer, and direct care worker have helped her understand program development, coaching, and training youth care workers at the agency and in the community. Debbie is a frequent speaker at national conferences. She has done talk shows and frequently attends community meetings speaking on child and youth care issues.

 


 

ANNUAL REPORTS

The path of CYCCB’s evolution is documented in annual reports made to the ACYCP Board at their annual membership meeting.  Links to these documents are provided below.

2008

2010

2011

2012

2017 ACYCP’s 40th Anniversary

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Advisory Committee is chaired by the current CYCCB president.  It is composed of advisors nominated by CYCCB Board members who are invited to participate by a vote of the Board.  Members are encouraged to participate in all CYCCB Board and Executive Committee meetings and are invited to attend face-to-face meetings of CYCCB leadership held to conduct strategic planning or other development work.  

Periodically, the president asks the committee to make recommendations to the Board regarding important topics under consideration.  People join this committee through a nomination by any Board member that is then approved by the full CYCCB Board.


PARTNERS

The Child and Youth Care Certification Board partners with a select group of organizations to promote certification and higher standards of practice across the United States and Canada.

Association Partners

Partners listed below have entered into a formal agreement with CYCCB to offer exam proctoring and support for certification in their respective regional areas.  All participate in the CYCCB revenue sharing program whereby part of the certification fees collected internationally by CYCCB revert back to the state/provincial partners.  

Practitioners previously certified in Ohio (OACYCP), Indiana (YouthPro), and Wisconsin (WACYCP) qualify for special reciprocity when converting their certifications into the CYCCB system.  Contact the CYC Office for more information.

Child and Youth Care Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
www.cycanl.ca

Child and Youth Care Worker Certification Institute
www.cyccertification.org

Indiana Youth Services Association
www.indysb.org

National Safe Place Network
www.nspnetwork.org

Nova Scotia Child and Youth Care Workers Association
www.nscycwa.com

Ohio Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals
www.helpingohiokids.org

Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care
www.oacyc.org

Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals
www.wacycp.org

Reciprocity Partnerships

Child & Youth Care Association of Alberta
www.cycaa.com

CYCCB acknowledges the certification model of the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta (CYCAA) as an impressive body of work and, in an effort to collaborate and support portability of child and youth care credentials from and to the province of Alberta, offers an accommodation for those with current and good standing certification with CYCAA.

With proof of full certification by the CYCAA, practitioners may apply for CYCCB certification by completing the CYC-P application (including documentation of training hours and support of code of ethics) and portfolio.  These practitioners are exempt from taking the exam, submitting peer references, or a supervisor assessment. CYCCB encourages CYCAA to continue further research and validation on their model.

This accommodation and reciprocity may be discontinued if changes are made by CYCAA that are inconsistent with the competencies, ethics, and values of CYCCB.

Practitioners previously certified by the following associations are covered by reciprocity agreements between CYCCB and the state organization. The state-level certifications have been replaced by the CYCCB certification program. Contact the CYC Office if you are seeking to convert your existing state-issued certification to the International CYCCB certification.


GOVERNANCE

CYCCB is a 501c6 tax-exempt organization registered in the state of Ohio.  It began offering certification services March, 2008. CYCCB was organized by the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice (ACYCP) to implement the CYC-P Professional Certification Program developed by the North American Certification Project (NACP).  

CYCCB is licensed to implement the CYC-P Level certification program owned by the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice and the CYC Entry and CYC-A Associate Level certification programs owned by the CYC Certification Institute.  

It is governed by Bylaws enacted by the Board and CYC certified practitioners.  Board Policies and Certification Policies clarify and operationalize important organizational values and standards of practice.


BYLAWS

CYCCB Bylaws  were originally written as part of the work completed by the North American Certification Project (NACP).  The Bylaws have been amended as the organization has grown. 


BOARD POLICIES

Conflict of Interest Policy

Any employee, director, officer or other person having a fiduciary relationship with the Child and Youth Care Certification Board, Inc. (hereafter called the CYC Certification Board) who is or may be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract or other transaction involving or in any manner relating to the CYC Certification Board or its operations, shall fully disclose to the Board of Directors any such interest.  The Board of Directors, upon such disclosure, may take such action as it deems appropriate.

CYC Certification Board of Directors or committee members who are employed by an agency that is engaged in business under consideration will abstain from voting on such business.

All consultants employed to fulfill contract agreements shall work only under written contracts between the CYC Certification Board and the individual.  These contracts shall be negotiated, supervised and compensated under the direction of the CYC Certification Board’s President or Executive Director with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Employees may not supervise a member of his/her immediate family, a significant other, or someone with whom they share a domicile.  In addition, all employees and consultants are required to report to the Executive Director and/or President of the Board any significant relationship between a supervisor and anyone within their chain of supervision.  The President of the Board of Directors shall review the matter to determine if action is necessary.

All contractors must comply with the CYC Certification Board‘s Conflict of Interest Policy.


CERTIFICATION POLICIES

Appealing Certification Decisions

All practitioners submitting applications for CYC Certification have the right to appeal certification decisions made during the processing of an application.  The CYC Office receives and processes applications. Policies in place at the time of processing are applied to each application. CYCCB seeks to operate a certification system that is equitable and fairly administered to all practitioners. 

Most application processing decisions are made by the Office staff based on policies set by the CYCCB Board.  Although the Office staff have some latitude in interpreting how to apply an existing policy, most policies require little interpretation.  When questions arise relating to how a policy applies to a specific application, the questions are typically communicated to the CYCCB Board for interpretation and clarification.

Appeals are a three-tier process. First work with the Office staff member assigned to your application. If you are unable to resolve the issue to your satisfaction, request that the Office Administrator review the application. Finally, after the CYCCB Office Administrator has had the opportunity to review the issue and has clearly stated an opinion on what is being rejected and the basis of the rejection, appeals for redress are made directly to the CYCCB Board President. The appeal must state the issue for which redress is requested and the specific solution desired. The President and the Board will investigate the issue and respond to the request within 30 days.

Criminal History Reporting

CYC Certified Practitioners maintain high standards of practice and do not have criminal history that denies them opportunity to work with children, youth, or families in the state or province where (s)he lives and/or works.   CYC Certified Practitioners are required to notify the CYC Office of any criminal history or changes in criminal history that would cause the practitioner to be denied employment working with children, youth or families in the state or province where (s)he lives and/or works.   

Practitioners sign a statement to this effect during the application process. Upon renewal, practitioners update this information and reaffirm compliance with the policy. Practitioners are required to notify CYCCB of changes in their criminal history status within 30 days of the change.

Practitioners are ethically bound to report other practitioners if they have knowledge that the practitioner is CYC certified and is denied employment working with children, youth or families in the state or province where (s)he works.  Failure to abide by this requirement is grounds for termination of certification.

Reports are made by letter or email to the CYC Office.  Reports must be in written form and must be dated.

In cases where questionable criminal history is reported to CYCCB, on an application, during a renewal, by a third party who has this knowledge, or by other means, the immediate response of the office is to notify the practitioner that their certification has been SUSPENDED pending investigation and Board action.  An investigation is then initiated as per the directions of the President and Board, a discussion held at the next scheduled board meeting, and a determination made as to further action. If the information reported is not found to have merit, the certification will be reinstated. If the criminal history is confirmed and it causes the practitioner to no longer be able to work with children, youth, and families in the jurisdiction where the practitioner works, the certification will be TERMINATED.   The Board retains the right to take additional action or to specify conditions upon which the certification will be REINSTATED.  

Reporting Ethics and Practice Violations

CYC Certified Practitioners who engage in a pattern of unethical, dangerous or unprofessional behavior should be reported to the CYC Office. Any practitioner who has knowledge relating to a pattern of unethical, dangerous, or unprofessional behavior has the ethical and moral responsibility to take action to remedy the situation and limit the possibility of harm to children, youth or family members receiving services.  This is a fundamental professional responsibility of all CYC Certified Practitioners.

In cases where a pattern of unethical, dangerous or unprofessional behavior is reported to the CYC Office, the CYC Office will notify the CYCCB President and Board.   An investigation is then initiated as per the directions of the President and Board, a discussion held at the next scheduled board meeting, and a determination made as to further action, depending on the facts determined.  If the information reported is not found to have merit, no action will be taken. If the pattern of unethical, dangerous or unprofessional behavior is confirmed and is judged to be of adequate concern, the President and Board will take action up to and including TERMINATION of certification.  The Board retains the right to take additional action or to specify conditions upon which the certification will be REINSTATED. If the President of the board is being reported, the Vice President and Board will be notified by the Office.

Colleague References and Supervisor Assessment Processing

Colleague References, Supervisor References, and Supervisor Assessments are submitted to the Office separately from the application form.  The applicant gives the forms to the appropriate person, and signs off allowing them to return the forms without the applicant viewing them.  The forms clearly indicate that CYCCB will not share the information submitted with the applicant. This is to encourage people submitting the forms to complete them truthfully.  On the Colleague Reference, Supervisor Reference, and Supervisor Assessment forms, boxes are provided for the person completing the form to indicate whether or not they are recommending the applicant for certification.   

If a Reference or Supervisor Assessment is submitted that does not recommend the applicant for certification, the CYC Office notifies the applicant that they need to submit an addition reference(s) or assessment.  The name of the person who has not recommended certification is not shared with the applicant.

A total of four Colleague References may be submitted with any application.  Two references recommending certification are required.

A total of two Supervisor Assessments or Supervisor References may be submitted with any application.  One assessment or reference recommending certification is required.

This additional documentation will be considered by the application review team.  Applications receiving negative recommendations will be reviewed by the CYCCB Board before being approved.

In cases where there is disagreement between two portfolio assessors, the following process will be used:

  • Office will contact the two assessors to encourage them to communicate regarding the difference in opinion and work out a mutually agreed upon solution. The CYCCB Office will work with them to assist in working out an agreement.
  • If the two assessors cannot reach an agreement, the Office will send the entire portfolio and assessor comments from both assessors to the CYCCB Certification Process Committee for discussion and recommendations.
  • When a request for review is received, the Certification Process Committee will take action within one month of receipt.

Requesting Testing Accommodation

CYCCB offers testing in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) in Canada.  Practitioners who qualify for accommodations under ADA are granted special testing conditions.  Accommodations are only granted by the CYCCB Board.

To apply for a testing session accommodation,  a practitioner sends a written request for accommodation by mail, fax, or email to the CYC Office. The request includes: a) the name and contact information (email and postal address) of the practitioner making the request b) date when testing is expected; c) description of why the accommodation is necessary; and d) description of the specific accommodation requested. The practitioner also submits acceptable documentation that confirms the need for accommodation.

When the CYC Office has received all of the information and documentation described above, they submit the information to the CYCCB Board for action. The CYCCB Board reviews the request and makes recommendations for how to respond.  The CYC Office then takes action to implement the response specified by the CYCCB Board.

It is recommended that up to 3 weeks be allowed for this process to be completed.  

Certification File Status

When a practitioner submits a certification application, a file is created. All documentation relating to that person is kept in that file. Certification files are maintained in the CYC Office and remain open until closed. Files are placed on INACTIVE STATUS if an application is not completed within a 6 month time period or if a practitioner fails to renew a certificate for longer than a 2 year period.  Notices are sent to the practitioner when a file is placed on INACTIVE STATUS. Files can be re-activated by contacting the office and requesting that the file be re-activated or by simply taking action to renew the certificate or complete the application process (which automatically re-activates the file).  

If a practitioner submits an application, a file is created. The opening of the file documents that the application process has been initiated.  If a practitioner fails to complete the application process, the file is placed on INACTIVE STATUS after 6 months of inactivity. The file can be re-activated at a later date.

If a practitioners tests but does not submit an application, no file is created. Once the 6 month to 1 year time period following testing lapses, an application cannot be submitted. The practitioner must retest before submitting an application.

INACTIVE STATUS means that the CYC Office considers the file closed. Notices for application follow up or renewal will no longer be sent. Closed paper files can be destroyed after 2 years.

Sharing of Information

Information submitted as part of the testing or application process is maintained confidentially. Staff and board members of the CYCCB have access to this information on a ‘need to know’ basis. If a member of the public contacts the CYCCB Office, the office can share the person’s current certification status and date of expiration. Other information is not shared without additional permission from the certified practitioner.

Communicating Certification Information Electronically and by Phone

CYCCB has no approved protocol for verifying the identity of someone on the phone. Confidential certification information is, therefore, not communicated by phone. Typically, this information is communicated by USPS mailed letter sent to the address of record. Confidential certification information can be communicated to applicants by email when a personal email address is provided, linked to the applicant. If the email address provided is connected to the employer’s email server, CYCCB staff can only use these addresses to communicate confidential information when a release of certification information has been submitted releasing information to the employer or with specific permission from the applicant.

Sharing of Information with Employers

CYCCB works with many employers who support certification of their staff. CYCCB does not release test or application status or information without a release of information being on file at the CYC Office. If a release is not of file, the office can share that the person is or is not certified and the date that they initially were certified. CYCCB provides a consent form for giving this permission.

Release of Information as Part of a Research Effort

CYCCB conducts research and works with collaborators and others to conduct research. All information shared for this purpose is shared in a de-identified manner that does not include the practitioner’s personal contact information.

Renewal Policies

All certification levels renew on a two year cycle. Renewal is due on or before the certificate issue date on a two year cycle. A late fee may be charged if the certificate is renewed after this date.

If a person begins the renewal process, either online or by submitting a paper form, they have to complete the process within 6 months of the submission date. If, after repeated email notices have been sent by the office, the person renewing does not complete the process, they will be notified that their certification is not considered CURRENT. Following this notice, additional notices will not be sent until the next renewal cycle starts (3 months before the certificate issue date on a two year cycle). If the person does not complete the renewal in subsequent years, after 5 years the certification is CANCELED. Copies of notices will be included in the person’s certification file. The file WILL NOT BE PUT ON INACTIVE STATUS. When an applicant renews in the next cycle, no late fee is charged if the fee was paid in the previous round. If no payment was made, a late fee will be charged.