Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

The three national/federal organizations or communities of practice I chose were:

(1) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

“The NAYEC has almost 80,000 members with a national network of 300 affiliates. Dedicated to working in behalf of children through 8 years of age, NAEYC sets the standards for programs and teachers involved in early childhood education. With its large membership and clout they are able to influence the government's policy direction on matters pertaining to early childhood education such as funding for early childhood programs, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the re-authorization of the Child Care & Development Block Grant.  NAEYC sets the standards and norms for early childhood education programs and issues the proper accreditation to programs meeting these standards” (About NAEYC, n.d).

 (2)  First Children's Finance

“Apart from providing educational resources, FCF provides financial assistance or loans to businesses engaged in child care and early education. FCF also finances new family child care homes and schools (to include Head Start).  First Children’s Finance provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families” (First Children’s Finance, 2016).

(3)  Children's Defense Fund

“This is another child advocacy organization that champions policies and programs aimed at uplifting the plight of poor children and ensure they have access to health care and quality education. CDF has been in existence for the past 35 years pursuing their mission of ensuring that every child gets a "Healthy Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, a Head Start, and a Moral Start" in Life.  The Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities” (Children’s Defense Fund, 2016).

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

Program Director, Indianola, MS, US

Save the Children UK

I am dreaming of owning my own childcare center, so, I find it only fitting to search for job opportunities to accommodate my goal.  This job is currently available and meets the criteria to help me fulfill my dreams.  To be considered for this job, I must meet the requirement of Bachelor’s degree; but, a Master’s degree is preferred in Management, Early Childhood Development, Human Services or related fields.  A minimum 7 years of progressively responsible supervisory/management positions including experience working with boards and advisory committees. Previous Head Start management experience preferred. Good communication and skills (open, honest, objective, good listener, with team management approach to clear goals and objectives).

Proficiency Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal background check including fingerprinting and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

About NAEYC.  (n.d). Retrieved from:

            http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc

Children’s defense fund.  (2016). Retrieved from: 

            http://www.childrensdefense.org
First children’s finance.  (2016). Retrieved from:

            http://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three state organizations that I chose are:

1.  Mississippi Head Start Association

“The Head Start-State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) was established in 1996, through a grant under the federal Head Start Act. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start, has awarded grants to all 50 States, as well as, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The eight HSSCO priority areas are health care, welfare, child care, education, community service activities, family literacy services, *activities relating to children with disabilities, and services for homeless children.   The Collab Office enhances collaborative partnerships that:

·       Assist in building early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services and support for all low-income children;

·       Promote widespread collaboration and partnership between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services, and initiatives, including child care and State preschool; and

·       Facilitate the involvement of Head Start in the development of State policies, plans, processes and decisions affecting the Head Start target population and other low- income families.” http://www.msheadstart.org/collab-office/

2.  Early Learning in Mississippi - Mississippi First

“Mississippi First is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, specializing in education policy, research, and advocacy.  The Early Collaborative Act of 2013, provides funding to local communities, to establish, expand, and support successful early childhood education and development services. In 2013, the legislature appropriated $3M, for the Early Learning Collaborative Act, making it the first-ever state-funded preK program in Mississippi.”

http://www.mississippifirst.org/education-policy/pre-kindergarten/early-learning-mississippi/

3.  Mississippi - Casey Family Programs

“Casey Family Programs works to influence long-lasting improvements, to the safety and success of children, families, and the communities where they live.  Casey Family Programs envisions a nation, where supportive communities nurture the safety, success, and hope of every child.  We are committed to 2020: Building Communities of Hope, an agenda for change that draws on the strength of communities and the vision of local leaders to keep children safe and make families strong.  We recognize that creating better futures for children and families will not be possible unless we take into consideration the community conditions that surround them. If a community is healthy, safe, supportive, and teeming with opportunities, then it will have the elements that children need to thrive. We must do more to build hope, so that every child, in every home, in every ZIP code in America, has the same access and opportunity to thrive. That will require that we look beyond what the child welfare system can do alone and consider how we can work together across systems and across sectors to improve the broader conditions that affect the health, safety and opportunities of children and their families.” 

 http://www.casey.org/communities/ms/?location=ms

I chose these three organizations; because, they are very empathetic to early childhood education and the well-being of young children and families.  They foster and encourage positive collaborations, between organizations and communities.  They provide grants to programs, to help aid in the development of policies, provide needed resources, and assist in building hopeful lives for young children and families.  This is the kind of CoP that I need, to help support my capstone challenge.

I am striving to become director, of my very own child care facility.  I have reached one milestone, earning my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development.  I am currently pursuing my Master’s, which is a major step, in helping me achieve my dream.  In addition, I would need to know how to provide effective and efficient budgeting practices, exert strong leadership skills, be an effective communicator, understand policies and guidelines, and positively collaborate with others, just to name a few.  Through my studies at Walden University, I do feel that I am prepared to take on the role of director.  Currently, I am only interested in director positions, as this will contribute to my future success.

Mississippi Head Start Association Retrieved from http://www.msheadstart.org/collab-office/

Early Learning in Mississippi - Mississippi First  Retrieved from http://www.mississippifirst.org

          /education-policy/pre-kindergarten/early-learning-mississippi/

Mississippi Casey Family Programs
 

         Retrieved from http://www.casey.org/communities/ms/?location=ms