The NCAST Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) Feeding Scales are designed for parents/caregivers and children age birth-1 year (12 months). The PCI Feeding Scales are an assessment tool which provides valid and reliable measurements of parent-child interactions. When used in child-welfare, these scales can provide recommendations for services to strengthen parent-child interactions, and serve as reliable pre-/post- measures of progress made through service engagement.
Once individuals become certified to use the PCI Feeding Scales, they must prove reliable through annual re-certification. This one-day course provides participants with the opportunity to achieve annual reliability in the use of this tool. Re-certification will allow individuals to maintain certification in the use of the PCI Feeding Scales.
Current Certification as an NCAST Assessor
NCAST certification is designed for experienced social workers and supervisors, who have specialized interest or experience in infancy and early childhood. Once certified, assessors are required to complete a minimum of three assessments per year, and maintain annual recertification, a one-day yearly commitment following initial certification. Registration is dependent upon supervisor approval.
DCYF staff can register for NCAST/Parent-Child Interaction Feeding Scales Recertification through the Washington State Learning Center (WSLC). For help with WSLC, please contact DCYF.LearningCenter@dcyf.wa.gov.
Other workforce members can request registration for this course using the Alliance External Registration form. Use this if you are CWTAP, Tribal Workers, Private Agency, and Judicial Personnel (incl. CASA/GAL). For help with this webform, please contact Alliance Support via alliancesupport@uw.edu.