In 2012 the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) contracted with Child Trends, an independent, non-profit research organization, to collect information about the initiatives that are playing a role in the Professional Development System. Information was gathered on initiatives related to: Training and trainer development; Relationship-Based Professional Development (RBPD); Credentials, certificates, and diplomas; Core Competencies Framework alignment; Financial supports; The Professional Development Registry. For each initiative, Child Trends surveyed and interviewed a key contact person knowledgeable about the initiative and used the provided information to develop a profile of each initiative. Below are brief descriptions of each initiative based on the profile. (author abstract)