EDUC: 6990 Blog Wk.2: Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

·         At least three local or state organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you, and explain why you chose them

1. Backpack 4 Kids: is a local organization that helps provide supplemental nutritional food for families for over the weekends. I live in a rural area that many of the schools have very high number of students on free and/or reduced lunch. My son’s elementary school for example has over 50% of its students on this program. Many of these children the only food they receive is the food from the school. So when the weekend comes and there is no school many times for these children it also means no food. The backpack 4 kids program provides backpacks of food for over the weekend with enough food in them to feed a family of 4. This program appeals to me because no child’s learning should suffer because they are hungry.
2. The Washington State PTA: I have been very involved within my son’s school since he started kindergarten, his is currently going to begin 4^th grade. I have been PTA president for the last 2 years and this year will be PTA treasurer. The PTA (Patent Teacher Association) is a wonderful place to be able to advocate for children within your community. Our whole goal with the PTA is helping children to reach their true potential. We do this by providing support to the school and teachers, as well as our PTA programs aimed at supporting the children within the school. We support Reading Night, Math Night, we have 4 Family Fun Nights throughout the year that offer dinner and a fun family activity for all to enjoy free of cost, to name a few. Every penny raised by the PTA is used towards the children and what they may need.
3. Department of Executive Services Children and Family Justice Center: “The Children and Family Justice Center will replace the outdated Youth Services Center with a flexible and therapeutic facility that provides modern youth and family court services as well as a trauma-informed juvenile detention center. The new facility will provide a respectful and supportive environment to link even more youth and families – court-involved or not – with services and non-profit organizations in their own communities” (King County, 2016, p. 1). This appeals to me because right now the waiting room for children and families is just a big open room with no place for privacy during these very stressful and private times. The Center will also provide much needed services to help children and families during the difficult times and transitions.

·         Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest you

1.  Head Start Educator II
   LOCATION:                        Kent/Des Moines, WA
   Regular Full Time Open Position: 37.5 hours per week

• Provides comprehensive child development services to children. Encourages parents in supporting healthy development of their child. Conducts child development screenings & assessments, develops individualized learning plans, implements curriculum to meet ILP goals & developmental milestones, and works with children in childcare to promote their development.

2. Assistant Childcare Director

Vision House 2 reviews - Renton, WA

Children’s Village is a program of Vision House. Vision House is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit Christian housing support services program for homeless single mothers, homeless single men and their children and families. Children’s Village is located in the Renton Highlands.

3. Director of Early Childhood Education Center
Brotman Early Learning Center - Tacoma, WA
$45,000 - $50,000 a year

Brotman Early Learning Center Start Date: August 1, 2016 The Brotman Early Learning Center is a licensed early learning program for a maximum of 39 children, ages infant to pre-school and operates year round, serving the whole Tacoma-area community and opened in September 2015.

Skills and experience that you would need to competently fulfill each of these roles. These careers had roughly the same requirements for skills and experiences needed they were:

• Knowledge of DSHS
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• 3-5 years related experience, including child care supervision or management experience
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood or a related field is preferred. Applicants must have a minimum of an Associate's degree in Early Childhood or a related field
• At least 2 years of developing and implementing early childhood curricula
• Valid Washington State driver's license and clean driving record
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in the classroom
• Sensitivity to the needs of families and staff from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds necessary
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Experience with computers including Microsoft Word and Excel

Brandie

References

King County. (2016). Children and Family Justice Center. Retrieved from http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/executive-services/children-family-justice-center.aspx