NCFR is excited to share that the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential is now recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Head Start. 

These national recognitions increase the visibility of the CFLE credential and Family Life Education and have immense implications for increasing awareness of the credential among military and Head Start employers.  

For current CFLEs, these recognitions mean greater acknowledgment of your expertise and dedication to Family Life Education. The approval of the CFLE credential by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and identification from the Office of Head Start underscores the value of your credential and highlights the critical role Certified Family Life Educators play in supporting and strengthening families. 

For Family Science programs, including CFLE-approved programs, these recognitions mean enhanced recruitment opportunities due to increased job prospects and credential accessibility. The approvals enhance the attractiveness of Family Science and CFLE-approved programs to prospective students and further support the success of Family Science graduates.

A plan for further increasing awareness of the CFLE credential is being developed. 

United States Department of Veterans Affairs 

Effective May 8, 2024, The Minnesota State Approving Agency for veterans’ educational benefits has approved the CFLE exam and CFLE-approved program process for eligible VA education beneficiaries. Any veteran throughout the United States who takes the CFLE exam or graduates from a CFLE-approved program can apply to have their fees reimbursed through the GI Bill.

Related, the CFLE credential is now searchable in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Web Enabled Approval Management Systems (i.e., WEAMS) database. (LACAS approval effective May 9, 2024; Facility Code: 46992323). 

For information on how veterans can apply for reimbursement, please visit the VA Education and Training website. Steps include uploading or mailing a completed Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees form along with proof of payment to the VA.

Office of Head Start, An Office of the Administration for Children & Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 

The CFLE credential is listed in the federal Head Start | Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) Credential Programs Database.  

Head Start and Early Head Start staff can explore the credential program database to search for national credentials, certificates, and degrees that meet the educational requirements of Head Start and Early Head Start family services staff (i.e., family service workers, family service coordinators, and family service managers). According to the website, all programs listed in the database have been “validated by regional accreditation boards and prescreened for relevance.”  

Related, hundreds of degrees from Family Science programs (e.g., human development, family studies, Family Life Education) across the country are identified in the Certificate and Associate Degree Programs Database, Bachelor’s Degree Program Database, and Post-Bachelor’s Degree Certificates and Advance Degree Programs Database.  

Of notice, Family Life Education is specifically identified as a type of program and certification within the three databases which further provides increased awareness to the Family Life Education profession. 

This distinction makes it clear — Family Science programs are the place to obtain the needed education for employment with Head Start and Early Head Start. 

Thank You to All Who Have Contributed to These Milestones

Thank you to Ryan A. Stuart, M.S., CFLE, AFC! Ryan is a new CFLE and shared a VA contact with the CFLE staff. Because of Ryan’s efforts, NCFR was able to start the VA approval process. Thank you, Ryan! 

Thank you to all the NCFR members and Family Life Educators who have worked to get the CFLE credential recognized at various regional Head Start locations. Your work paid off!