National Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community

As I was exploring jobs I may be interested in on a National level my memory took me back to our Issues and Trends in the Early Childhood Field class which several of us completed about this time last year.  In addition to two job interests on a National level, I investigated membership requirements for the International Step by Step Association.

I remembered the International Step by Step Association because when I first investigated the web site I was impressed with their work towards supporting children to meet their fullest potential on an international level.  In addition to supporting parents as the primary educators of their children, their philosophy also embraces the power of children learning when they are “active participants throughout the learning process” (www.issa.nl).  Being an active participant does not include ‘rote’ teaching therefore my attraction to this philosophy.  To become a member I would need to submit my membership form with the $125 annual fee to receive benefits such as participating on a child advocacy taskforce, professional development books manuals and trainings and information to attend international conferences that support children to thrive.  To become a member of this international organization I would be adding a wealth of resources and experience to my knowledge bank to better support all children and families to reach their fullest potential.

The National organization I investigated is the Children’s Defense Fund.  The mission of the Children’s Defense Fund 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 health of caring families and communities” (www.childrensdefense.org).   I love the “passage to adulthood” language in this mission statement.  The Children’s Defense Fund is currently recruiting for the position of Director of Research in Washington DC.  The first qualification for this positons is “A demonstrated interest in and commitment to social justice and improving the quality of life for children and families” (www.childrensdefense.org).  Of course having research skills and statistical analysis expertise will be vital to ensure successful outcomes for children and families.  Since best practice is defined by research this will be an honorable job to strive for.

The other job I found interesting is for Voices for America’s Children, which is advocating for an Executive Director for the Children’s Leadership Council.  One of the qualifications for this job includes being a “sophisticated advocate for children” (www.voices.org).  The power behind the skill of sophistication will support this organization’s policy goals, which focus on equity and diversity, health, school readiness, school success, safety, and economic stability for all children and their families.  Of course to be fully successful in this position, the best candidate will have strong communication and collaboration skills, expertise in analyzing and writing policy, and experience working with the United States Congress.

References

Children’s Defense Fund (n.d.).  www.childrensdefense.org

International Step by Step Association: Quality Care and Education for All (n.d.).  www.issa.nl

Voices for America’s Children (n.d.).  www.voices.org

My search for organizations that foster the well being of children, families and the early childhood field include two local organizations in Whatcom County of Washington State and one state-wide organization.  The mission statement of two organizations reaches out to children at risk while the third organization’s mission supports all children in Washington State.

Blue Skies for Children is a local organization in Bellingham, WA that sponsors enrichment programs and other essentials such as clothing and school supplies for homeless, low-income and foster children.  Their make-a-wish program is funded through sponsorship.  When sponsoring a child the interested party can pick a program such as, dance, Taekwondo, gymnastics, and art lessons.  I am interested in becoming a board member for the organization.  Some skills that may be necessary to be a board member will be strong communication skills, budget development and management, policy development and analysis and flexibility to understand a variety of perspectives for how to achieve the goal.

The mission of Rebound of Whatcom County is “committed to equipping, strengthening and empowering children and families facing difficult life circumstances” (www.reboundwc.org).   Some of the services offered include, summer camps for children in need, torturing programs, parenting enrichment programs and support groups for parents facing difficult circumstances.  If the position of executive director were to become available I would apply.   Some skills necessary to fulfill this position may be, grant writing skills, strong connection to community resources, strong insight on establishing and maintaining collaborations, budgeting, organizational management and effective communication.

The third organization of interest is the Foundation for Early Learning.  Their mission statement reads, “Finding and fostering opportunities that support kindergarten-readiness for young children, birth to age five, in Washington State” (www.earlylearning.org).  This organization provides community grants and resources to organizations supporting early learning partnerships.  In reading about three partnerships across the state I learned the funding from the Foundation for Early Learning have supported children and families to connect with local resources to support English Language Learners, literacy, and early intervention services to address mental health issues for children ages birth to five.  The position of interest for this organization is the Program Manager.   The Program Manager manages grant activities, supports the Early Learning Public Library Partnership and the Native American Early Learning Initiative.  Skills necessary to support this position may be, knowledge of local Native cultures, child development, establishing and maintaining community partnerships, grant writing and analysis, strong communication skills and a strong connection to community resources.