MY OWN CAPACITY

Which issues impacting young children and their families and/or the field of early childhood fuel your passion?

            Poverty, health, nutrition, and quality education are four issues impacting children and their families which fuel my passion. These issues are becoming increasingly prominent within the United States and proving to have significant effects on children’s development and the overall well being of families. Research shows that children living in poverty typically have poor health and nutrition and limited access to quality education. With limited resources and/or early intervention, children living in poverty and directly experiencing its detrimental effects are destined for futures in which the cycle of poverty continues.

What special skills do you have that will contribute to your advocacy efforts? How will you incorporate these skills into your work?

            I believe my communication skills will directly contribute to my advocacy efforts. Effective communication skills are essential for advocacy work. It’s essential for one to have the ability to effectively communicate their issues for which they are most passionate including the effects of the issues on children and families, and their proposed solutions to rectify the issues. Without effective communication one’s advocacy efforts may be at risk for failure. I will incorporate my communicating skills during meetings, presentations, and conferences with specific individuals with whom I wish to gain support. My communication skills would be used to effectively present my advocacy issue to key individuals such as parents, community members, advocacy organizations, early childhood professionals, pediatricians, and local and state legislators. In presenting my advocacy issue to these selected individuals, my communication skills will also be utilized to effectively communicate the effects of the advocacy issue on children and families, my proposed solutions to rectify the issue, in addition to providing an open forum allowing individuals to provide their individuals perspectives on effective solutions.

In what ways do you hope to grow in order to be an effective advocate?

            I anticipate personal growth in my awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the primary issues currently effecting children and families in the United States. To become an effective advocate is important for me to remain abreast of current issues effecting children and families as these issues are continuously growing and changing. As an advocate I want to ensure that I set fourth my most effective advocacy efforts in an attempt to foster healthy growth and development for children and families.