How do I access the classes?
At the top of the page, click on "Sign-up" and follow the instructions. If you are accessing the site from a mobile device, you may see a black box with white lines that you need to click on to get to the option to "Sign Up" or "Login."
I live outside of Snohomish County. Can I take the classes?
Yes. The classes are available to anyone.
Are your trainers state-approved to provide in-service/STARS credits?
Snohomish County Health Department child care health program staff are state-approved trainers. All classes offered are approved for in-service (STARS) credit for child care and early learning professionals in Washington State.
Can I take a class more than once?
Currently our classes are set to be taken only once. If you wish to retake a class that you already have a certificate for, please send an in-app message or email our staff at shd.childcarehealth@co.snohomish.wa.us and ask to have the course reset. You will then be able to take the course again and will receive a new certificate.
How do I access certificates for previously completed online STARS classes?
Your certificate will be available to you immediately upon successful completion of each class. It should pop up on the screen when you finish. For any class you have completed previously on our online learning portal, you can access it in the following way:
1) Log in to your account on the online learning portal at https://childcare-snohd.talentlms.com/
2) From the home page, click on the word "PROGRESS" on the right side of the screen.
3) From the options across the top of the screen, click on the word "Certifications."
All of your completed STARS class certificates are available here. Just click on the circle symbol to the right side and the certificate will pop up on the screen. You can print certificates from here at any time or save a PDF copy to your computer.
You can also find your certificates by clicking on the word "LEARNER" next to your name at the top of the screen. Underneath that, click on "My Certifications." There you will find the certificates for any of the classes you have finished.
How do I receive in-service/STARS credit for a completed learning course?
Once you have completed a course, your certificate will pop up on the screen and will also be available in your account for access at any time. Once your certificate has been issued, the system alerts our staff to enter your credit into the MERIT system. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for this manual entry to occur.
If I sign up for a course and then decide I do not want to take it, how do I remove it from “My courses”?
To remove a course you do not want to take, click on your name in the pale green bar at the top of the screen on your home page. From that menu, select “My courses.” To unenroll from the course, click on the “–” sign to the right of the class name. It will change to a “+” sign, which means you are no longer enrolled.
I completed and paid for my course (paid courses from 2020-2022). Why is my credit not showing up in MERIT?
Our staff must manually enter completed classes into the DCYF MERIT system. This is done around the first and the sixteenth of each month. Please allow about 2-3 weeks after completion of your class for the credits to show up in MERIT. If you have received your certificate through our system, then your name and the course you completed will be on the list of credits to enter into MERIT the next time it is done.
I got to the end of a free course and my certificate did not get issued. What do I do?
If you get to the end of a free course and your certificate did not show up, there may be a unit that was missed. When you log in to the system the home screen shows your list of classes. Click on the title of the course for which you did not receive your certificate. On the course information page, under the word "CONTENT" you will see a list of all the course units. Most units will have a green checkmark. Click on any unit title that does not have a green checkmark to complete that unit. Once all the units have a green checkmark, your certificate should be automatically issued. If you are still having issues, please send us a message through the in-app messaging or by email to shd.childcarehealth@co.snohomish.wa.us and we can help correct the problem.
How to I get reimbursed for my trainings through DCYF?
Currently all courses are available at no cost so reimbursement should not be necessary. According to the DCYF website, "DCYF offers reimbursement for state-approved training cost for professionals currently employed in a licensed facility. You may apply for a training reimbursement only once per DYCF fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) for up to $250, while funding is available." Trainings need to be verified through your MERIT account. You can find specific information on how to submit a reimbursement application to DCYF through your MERIT account on their website at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-profdev/merit.
I have multiple invoices in my account. Why? I want to make sure I'm only charged once per class.
Prior to 2023, courses were available for a small fee. Only invoices that say "paid" indicate that a card has been charged. Any invoices that say "pending" are not valid. It means that the system has attempted to charge the user's card, but a payment has not been made. Only "paid" invoices indicate payment.
How do I change my password?
You can change your password by clicking on your name in the pale green bar at the top of the screen on your home page. From that dropdown menu, select "My Info." On the screen that comes up you will be able to type in a new password.
I forgot my password. How can I have it reset?
If you need to have your password reset, please send an email to shd.childcarehealth@co.snohomish.wa.us. We will be able to reset your password for you during normal business hours.
Can I change the primary language?
While the main course content language is not able to be changed, the program allows you to set your primary language for all navigation screens. Click on your name in the pale green bar at the top of the screen on the home page. From the dropdown menu, select "My Info." On that screen you can choose your language preference.
I have questions that were not answered here. What do I do?
Please email us at shd.childcarehealth@co.snohomish.wa.us, message us through the in-app messaging system, or call us at 425-252-5415 and we will be more than happy to help you.
