Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level
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At least three national/federal organizations
or communities of practice that appealed to you and why you chose them
1.
National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC)” is a professional membership organization
that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth
through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We
advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care
for, educate, and work on behalf of young children” (National Association of the
Education of Young Children [NAEYC], n.d., p. 1). I really like the
plethora of information you can find at the NAEYC website. They continue to
advocate for quality care for all children.
2.
Women, Infants, and Children
(WIC) is “The Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal
grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition
education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding
postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to
be at nutritional risk” (United
Stated Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2016, p. 1). WIC is a federal
program that provides nutritional support for pregnant women and children up to
age 5. This is a wonderful program for low income mothers to have well rounded
nutritional support while pregnant and offers children from birth to age five the
nutritional support for those vital early years.
3.
Office of
Head Start OHS” manages grant funding and oversees local agencies providing
Head Start services. Head Start promotes school readiness of children under 5
from low-income families through education, health, social and other services” (Office of Head Start [OSH], n.d.,
p. 1). This programs helps young children from low income families become
ready for school.
Job opportunities
(currently available or not) that interest you. Skills and experience you would
need to competently fulfill each of these roles
- Program
Manager
Child and Family Service - Kaua‘i, HI
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JOB SUMMARY: Under the Supervision of the Head Start Director, the
Program Manager is responsible for the implementation of the Education and
Early Childhood Development components of the Kauai Head Start Program,
oversees the day-to-day functions of all classroom sites, manages the data
collection of child development program outcomes and performance measures,
and assist with setting-up new sites. Supervises the teaching staff.
EDUCATION: A Bachelor's degree is preferred with Early Childhood
Education knowledge and/or experience.
EXPERIENCE: One year plus. Must have experience in preschool classroom
teaching. Must have experience working with program target population
(families who are experiencing poverty and who are isolated from community
resources preferred). Experience in supervising program operations and direct
service staff. Experience in supervising program operations and direct
service staff. Experience with and knowledge of community resources for
children and families. Ability to work with others and reach agreement. CPR
and First Aid certification required upon hire. Good written and verbal
communication skills. Good organizational and administrative skills.
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3. Family Advocate
CATEGORY Social Services
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Primary
responsibilities: To enroll eligible children and families in the Head
Start/Early Head Start program and maintain center enrollment. To build
professional helping relationships with families in order to develop family
support plans that help families towards increased self-reliance and healthy
interdependence. To ensure that Families’ strengths and needs are assessed and
that appropriate referral and follow-up services are provided.
MAJOR RESPONSIBITIES:
Work with Childcare
Resource & Referral to obtain referrals of prospective eligible children
and families.
Recruit
children/families, interview applicants, complete applications and enter
applications into ChildPlus.
Maintain an accurate
prioritized listing of eligible children waiting to enter the program.
Enroll and re-enroll
eligible children who have the highest priority according to the selection
criteria.
Maintain qualifying
roster and child participation forms for USDA food program.
Maintain on-going
maximum center enrollment.
Monitor children’s
attendance for excessive absences or irregular attendance.
Maintain current
health records on all children enrolled.
Assist with
screenings as needed.
Work with the Head
Start support staff to ensure children receive the health, mental health, and/or
special needs services they may be eligible for.
Gather and maintain
accurate non-federal share records and other documentation of parent
involvement activities.
Meet with families to
gather information regarding family strengths and needs and develop a family
support plan that includes goals, tasks, timelines and follow-up.
Provide referral to
families to appropriate service providers that will help meet the families’
interests and needs.
Provide timely follow
up to referrals and family support plans.
Maintain accurate
documentation of family files and family services provided.
Plan and attend
monthly parent meetings, workshops, trainings, and other parent engagement and
literacy activities.
Develop and
distribute center newsletters, calendars, and flyers.
Attend community
inter-agency meetings to inform and update the community of services offered by
Head Start and encourage collaboration.
Ensure policy council
representation is met for each scheduled meeting.
Participate in school
readiness transition committee.
Advocate on behalf of
ECS Head Start and the children and families enrolled in the program.
Submit accurate
reports as requested.
Continue to pursue
education and/or professional development goals.
Perform
other job related functions as required.
References
