The Rend Lake College Board of Trustees met on Tuesday night and they approved a new certificate and several new courses and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action. The new Technical Assistance Credential, an occupational certificate falling under the umbrella of the Early Childhood Education curriculum, consists of three existing courses – Center-Based Child Care Management, Principles of Management and Principles of Effective Speaking – and relates to the Gateways framework.  The credential is cross-sector and includes all aspects of coaching, mentoring and relationship-based professional development.  The TA credential is a symbol of professional achievement which validates the knowledge and skills, experience and contributions required for a variety of roles relating to relationship-based professional development in Early Childhood Education.  The roles include mentor / consultant in early education and / or school-age practitioners, evidence-based practices coach, professional needs assessor, and supporter of the development needs of children. The certificate coursework encompasses the appropriate topics required by Gateways to ensure alignment to the credentialing standards.  Also approved Tuesday were a new Forensic Psychology class and three Emergency Medical Technician classes: Anatomy and Physiology for EMS Professionals, Patient Care for EMS Professionals, and Pathophysiology for EMS Professionals. The Center-Based Child Care Management course and an Intermediate Composition course were approved for online development as well.They approved a resolution to support the city of Pinckneyville’s request to extend its tax increment financing redevelopment project area from 23 years to 35 years, and a letter indicating that support will be sent to Senator David Leuchtefeld.  Various representatives from entities within Perry County have contacted the college to support those efforts.  The mission of the project area will be to continue to create and retain jobs and spark investment interest in the area.  In other business, the board accepted the Fiscal Year 2015 audit as presented, approved the 2016-2017 Academic Calendar and accepted the resignation of Chelsea Zettler, Administrative Assistant in the Communication and Information Department, effective October 12, 2015.Mark your calendars as the RLC Fall Concert will be at 7 PM on Thursday, November 19^th in the RLC Theatre and it will have free admission.  Also, the RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, is at 6:30 PM on Thursday, December 3^rd at the Holiday Inn in Mount Vernon.