JOBS/ROLES IN THE ECE COMMUNITY: NATIONAL LEVEL

National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP): “One of the nation’s leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America’s low-income families and children”. NCCP utilizes research as an educational tool to inform policy and practice and ensure positive outcomes for the next generation. The organization encourages family-oriented solutions at the state and national levels while remaining dedicated to their mission of obtaining family economic security, strong nurturing families, and healthy child development.

I found NCCP to be most appealing to my interest in child development, family security, and advocacy to reduce poverty in America. The detrimental effects of poverty on the health and development of children are devastating realities. Children living in poverty are more likely to have poor health, delayed cognitive development, and school failure in comparison to their peers of higher socioeconomic status. The effects of poverty that continue to plague our children every day is an issue worth discussing, addressing, and rectifying. (NCCP currently does not have employment positions available)

Zero To Three: “A national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers”. This organization promotes healthy development of infants and toddlers with specific focus on behavior and development, maltreatment, care and education, and public policy. This is of interest to me as I support their motto “Early Experiences Matter”. Birth through age five is the most vital and influential years of a child’s development as children learn about the world around them and their support system within that world. The experiences a child has within these years typically provide the foundation for their physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. It is extremely important for parents, early childhood professional, and policy makers to be educated regarding the significance of early experiences and its effects on a child’s future. (Zero To Three currently does not have employment opportunities available that are of interest to me)

Feeding America: “The nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity dedicated to feeding America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks while engaging in the fight to end hunger”. This organization prides themselves on their established values of (1) Respect (2) Stewardship & Accountability (3) Collaboration (4) Urgency (5) Service (7) Integrity (8) Diversity. This organization appealed to me as I share in the organization’s mission to reduce hunger in America. Hunger is an epidemic plaguing a significant number of families nationwide and an issue worth tackling. America has a reputation of being a country of wealth and abundance but falls significantly short in reducing hunger. Feeding America and similar organizations are essential in educating the nation about hunger in America, and advocating to ensure everyone has food security.

Feeding America. (2013). Retrieved from http://feedingamerica.org/

National Center for Children in Poverty. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nccp.org/about.html

Zero To Three. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/

EXPLORING ROLES IN THE ECE COMMUNITY

Three organizations within my residential state of Delaware that I found most appealing were (1) Food Bank of Delaware (2) Read Aloud Delaware (3) Children’s Advocacy Center of Delaware. These specific organizations are of most interest to me as they advocate for the issues that are if most interest to me; those being childhood hunger/poverty, quality early childhood education, and protection from child abuse/neglect. Each organization has unique programs, policies, and practices established to effectively address these issues.

Food Bank of Delaware has several programs established to combat childhood hunger/poverty including children’s nutritional programs, mobile pantries, and school pantries. There is currently one job opportunity within the organization that is of interest to me; that being Summer Nutrition Outreach Coordinator. To become a Summer Nutrition Outreach Coordinator one must (1) high school diploma or equivalent (2) one year previous experience in Community Organizing (3) reliable transportation (4) valid driver’s license for the past three years (5) clean driving record (6) strong self initiative (7) ability to work cooperatively in a team environment (8) computer literacy skills (9) ability to work flexible hours (Food Bank of Delaware, 2011)

Read Aloud Delaware is dedicated to early childhood development and education through established partnerships with child care centers, clinics, and shelters. Organization volunteers read aloud to children, specifically those of low income families to promote reading, encourage a love of books, and desire to become a reader. Currently there are no job opportunities available within this organization; however there are several opportunities for interested individuals to volunteer as a reader, coordinator of special events and parent workshops. These specific volunteer opportunities require individuals to be literate, culturally sensitive, and able to collaborate in teams (Read Aloud Delaware, 2006).

Children’s Advocacy Center of Delaware is dedicated to protecting children from child abuse/neglect by providing services to expedite the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases while providing support to victims and families. Organizational services provided include (1) forensic interviews of child victims and witness (2) forensic interviews of adults and children with disabilities (3) extended forensic evaluation (4) victim advocacy (5) community outreach (6) expert court testimony. Currently there are no job opportunities available within the organization. The position that I am most interested in obtaining is that of Forensic Interviewer. The qualifications required to obtain this positions is not presented on the organization’s websites as this position is not available for consideration (Children’s Advocacy Center, n.d.)

Reference

Food Bank of Delaware. (2011) Retrieved from http://www.fbd.org/job-opportunities/

Read Aloud Delaware. (2006) Retrieved from

 http://www.readalouddelaware.org/about.cfm

Children’s Advocacy Center of Delaware. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.cacofde.org/ServicesWeProvide.htm

WELCOME EVERYONE!!!

Congratulations to everyone for coming one step closer to completing their educational journey and obtaining their Master’s Degree at Walden University!! Entrance into the Capstone course is one that is bitter sweet as I am excited to further my understanding and application of advocacy within the Early Childhood Field but sadden to depart from my colleagues at the completion of this course. Although this course will pass by in a flash I plan to make the most of this course experience over the next 7 weeks. I am eager to communicate with each of my colleagues and increase my knowledge of the Early Childhood Field through the personal experiences shared by each of you.

Good Luck to everyone and I look forward to communicating with each of you!!