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

The National Center for Children in Poverty is dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America’s low-income families and children (http://www.nccp.org/).  The vision of this organization is to promote family economic security, strong, nurturing families, and healthy child development (http://www.nccp.org/).  NCCP is a nonpartisan, public interest research organization that seeks ways to improve work supports, provide nurturing early learning environments for young children, and secure adequate health and mental health care for our nation’s families (http://www.nccp.org/).  The vision of this organization stands for everything that I believe in.  The were no career opportunities at this particular time. 

Children's Defense Fund also is an organization that stands on the well-being of the growth and development of young children.  Children’s Defense Fund has become known for careful research on children’s survival, protection and development in all racial and income groups and for independent analyses of how federal and state policies affect children, their families and their communities.  CDF has influenced the child policy agenda and helped define the results for which we, as a nation, should strive.  CDF has also partnered with various organizations and has also worked with policy makers to build support to enact laws that have helped millions of children fulfill their potential.  These children have also had the opportunity to escape poverty due to the fact that they received the health care, child care, nurturing, proper nutrition, and education they deserve (Children’s Defense Fund, 2013).  The website http://www.childrensdefense.org/. is very informative.  There are 5 positions available for employment.  There were no positions that sparks my attention within this organization.

Voices for America's Children is an organization that focuses on equity and diversity, health, school readinenss, school success, safety, and economic stability.  All children achieve their full potential in a society that closes opportunity gaps and recognizes and values diversity. There is a job opening for an executive director.  This job requires individuals to establish a prominent and active presence in the Richmond, Virginia area, have evidence of desirable leadership skills including organization, communication, 
finances, reporting, and personnel management.  The candidate will also need to demonstrate innovation and strategic planning to further the impact of Voices, forge and sustain relationships that increase the capacity for accomplishing the research, policy and funding objectives of Voices.  Moving to Virginia would definitely be a challenge being that I reside in the state of Texas. 

References

The National Center for Children in Poverty.  (NCCP). (2010).  Child Poverty. 

            Retrieved from http://www.nccp.org/topics/childpoverty.html

Children’s Defense Fund. (CDF). (2013). Retrieved from    http://www.childrensdefense.org/

Voices for America's Children (2013).  Retrieved from http://www.voices.org

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Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Child Care Associates, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and Texas Association for the Education of young children are the three local/state organizations that appeal to me in various ways for various reasons. Each of these organizations strive for excellence and the goal of providing all children, families, and professionals the tools to be successful.

Child Care Associates: http://www.childcareassociates.org/
This organization was formed more than 40 years ago in the state of Texas.  The initial goal was to provide a basic necessity for many Texas families... quality child care. Child Care Associates is the largest private non-profit child development organization in the area, operating 37 child development centers throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County.  Child Care Associates also oversees several other programs and special initiatives in this immediate region, all focused on early childhood development.  The mission of this organization is to assist family successes through excellence in comprehensive child care and development services.  The vision of this organization is to implement our model for delivering quality child care and development services throughout this industry, serving as the leader in child development service delivery with the capability of providing a turnkey business model for other child development organizations (Child Care Associates, 2013).  The one employment opportunity that interests me is the Regional Director position.  I would need to be able to oversee and mentor center directors within assigned region to ensure job performance and competency levels meet desired expectations.  I would have to be knowledgeable of personnel policies and ensure that they are administered fairly and consistently and ensure that daily center operations, staffing requirements and staff-child ratios meet Minimum Standards and Head Start Performance Standards. 



ECI (Early Childhood Intervention):  https://www.mhmrtc.org/CO/

ECI is a statewide program for families with children, birth to three, with disabilities and 
developmental delays. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through 
developmental services.  These services are provided by a variety of local agencies and 
organizations across Texas.  These services are also free for children under the age of three.  ECI goes to families and focuses on working with the child and family in their natural environment, such as at home, grandma's, or a child care center. Essentially, it's where children live, learn and play. Research shows that growth and development are most rapid in the early years of life. The earlier problems are identified, the greater the chance of reducing the impact of them. Early intervention responds to the critical needs of children and families by:

• promoting development and learning,
• providing support to families,
• coordinating services, and
• decreasing the need for costly special programs.

The employment opportunity that interests me the most is an Early Intervention Specialist.  This position requires  a bachelors degree (minimnum) and a special credentialing system. EISs earn their credential by completing specific training activities on their Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP). Once all of the training activities on the IPDP are completed, an EIS is awarded a certificate declaring his/her status as an EIS Professional. EISs must obtain 10 contact hours of Continuing Professional Education each year in order to maintain their credential. EISs must also complete 3 hours of ethics training every two years in addition to the 10 hours of CPE.

Texas Association for the Education of Young Children: http://www.texasaeyc.org/

TAEYC is committed to promoting professional development and evidence-based best practices in early childhood education and TAEYC recognizes the early years set children up for all future educational success, and is committed to furthering their mission, vision and values. TAEYC is a state affiliate of the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Texas AEYC mission is to provide opportunities for professional growth and to broaden public awareness on early care and education issues affecting the lives of children and families.

Vision Statement :
Texas AEYC is a bridge of collaboration and communication and between early care and education and the communities we serve. 
Values

• Diversity ∼ the potential, uniqueness and importance of all members
• Professional Growth ∼ it is lifelong learning
• Collaboration ∼ among all entities working on behalf of children and families
• Quality ∼ developmentally appropriate practice and NAEYC accreditation as quality indicators of early childhood programs
• Advocacy ∼ a vehicle to maintain and promote quality, compensation and affordability
• Responsibility ∼ accepting ours and supporting others in furthering the mission of our organization

There are no positons that appeal to me at this particular moment, but I desire to become a member and possibly sit on the board one day!

References

http://www.childcareassociates.org/

 https://www.mhmrtc.org/CO/

 http://www.texasaeyc.org/