U-LAUNCH: CEO Academy

Training & Professional Development for Childcare Educator Operators

U-LAUNCH: CEO Academy is the training and Related Technical Instruction (RTI) division of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes. The Academy delivers competency-based, standards-aligned training that prepares individuals to operate legally compliant, high-quality home-based Childhood Development Homes—and supports ongoing professional growth after launch.

CEO Academy is the training engine behind the CEO Registered Apprenticeship and a core pillar of quality within the Approved HOMES system.

What the CEO Academy Does

CEO Academy provides:

RTI (Related Technical Instruction) for the CEO Registered Apprenticeship
Competency-based, stackable training aligned to Virginia standards
Two-stage pathways (RTI CEO I and RTI CEO II)
Ongoing professional development for active Childcare Educator Operators (CEOs)
Training that supports approval, compliance, and continuous improvement within U-LAUNCH: CDH’s systems

In short, the Academy ensures that what CEOs learn in training shows up in daily practice and business operations.

How the System Fits Together

CEO Apprenticeship = the workforce pathway (earn while you learn; OJT + RTI; path to approval)
CEO Academy = the training engine (RTI, credentials, professional development)
Approved HOMES = the quality & oversight system (approval, monitoring, HOME Tool, Report Cards)
Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) = inspectors and mentors.

Together, these form a single, integrated pathway from:

training → approval → operation → continuous improvement.

Learn about → The CEO Apprenticeship
Learn about → Approved HOMES Training Structure

RTI CEO I — Core Foundations (Required)

RTI CEO I covers the core knowledge and skills required to operate a compliant, high-quality home-based program, including:

Health, safety, and nutritional practices
Child growth and development
Observation and assessment
Learning environments and effective interactions
Family and community engagement
Program management
Best business practices and record keeping
Compliance, professionalism, and operations

Stackable credentials earned in RTI CEO I include:

Virginia ELDS Micro-Credential
Virginia Preservice Training
Annual Virginia Health & Safety Update Training
Daily Health Observation
CPR & First Aid (Child, Pediatric, Adult)
Child Abuse & Neglect / Mandated Reporter Training
Bloodborne Pathogens Training

This stage builds the educational, operational, and compliance foundation for approval and successful operation.

RTI CEO II — Advanced & Career Pathways

After completing RTI CEO I, apprentices advance through RTI CEO II and choose one of two options:

1) College Coursework Pathway
Apprentices may complete approved 3-credit college courses recognized through Project Pathfinders and aligned with the Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program (VCCPSP) to substitute for RTI CEO II coursework.

Pre-approved options include:
CHD 120, CHD 145, CHD 165, CHD 205, EDU 235 or HLT 135, CHD 118, CHD 216, CHD 146, PSY 235
(Only four (4) courses are required.)

OR

2) Apprenticeship Continuation Pathway
Apprentices continue advanced training and specialization within the U-LAUNCH: CDH apprenticeship system while building experience and credentials on the job.

Additional stackable credentials in RTI CEO II may include (pathway-dependent):

Medication Administration Training (MAT)
Virginia Notary Public
ServSafe Manager
CLASS Observer Certification (optional)

Both pathways deepen expertise, strengthen practice, and support long-term career growth.

Standards & Alignment

CEO Academy training aligns with:

8VAC20-780-190 (Program Director Qualifications)
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) subsidy training requirements
Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)
CWSE5691: Recognizing, Responding, and Reporting for Educators

This ensures training is workforce-relevant, regulator-aware, and practice-ready.

Beyond Apprenticeship: Ongoing Professional Development

CEO Academy also provides ongoing professional development for active CEOs within the Approved HOMES system, supporting:

Continuous quality improvement
Compliance updates and refreshers
Business operations and sustainability
Leadership and supervisory development
Alignment with evolving state and system standards

Training doesn’t stop at launch—it continues throughout a CEO’s career.

Who Is the Employer of Record?

Approved Childhood Development Homes operate as the Employer of Record for CEO Apprentices. This means:

Apprentices are employed by an Approved Home
The Approved Home is responsible for wages, payroll, and day-to-day supervision
U-LAUNCH: CEO Academy provides the training (RTI)
The CEO Apprenticeship provides the structure and standards, and
Approved HOMES provides system-level oversight and quality assurance

In short: Approved Homes employ. U-LAUNCH trains, structures, and oversees quality.

Who the CEO Academy Serves

CEO Apprentices completing RTI within the Registered Apprenticeship
Prospective CEOs preparing for entry into the system
Active CEOs seeking ongoing professional development and advancement
System partners supporting workforce and quality initiatives

Start With the Apprenticeship

CEO Academy delivers the training—but entry into the pathway begins with the CEO Registered Apprenticeship.

Explore the CEO Apprenticeship

Why CEO Academy Matters

CEO Academy ensures that:

Training is standardized, rigorous, and practical
Credentials are stackable and career-building
Quality is built in before approval and strengthened over time
CEOs are prepared to operate compliant, high-quality, sustainable home-based programs
U-LAUNCH’s system standards are consistently taught and reinforced