Time Well Spent



This final assignment is both exciting and sad as I have met wonderful people who I have had the pleasure of learning from. It is the end of a wonderful journey I have been on and the beginning of another journey.



I have learned that it is important to help those that are less fortunate than me and that at this time 2012, there are so many children and families both in the Unites States and abroad who are not getting the very basis of needs met which are food, clothing, shelter and medical care. I have learned that through my journey here at Walden, that I must do what I have said so many times in the papers that I have written, and that is to continue my focus and goals be an advocate and make a difference in the lives for children and their families.



My farewell message to all of my colleagues is that you stay focused on the goals that each of you have set for yourselves, remember the words that you have written and expressed in the discussions, papers that you have written, be a continued advocate to make a change and to make the lives of children and families who are most vulnerable and in need better. I would like to keep in touch with those that are interested, my personal contact information is stevensd@gccsa.org (work) and debra_stevens@att.net – personal. Cell is 832-256-2772.I look forward to seeing the future accomplishments of you all! Please contact me if there is anything I can do, and if you are ever in Houston, Texas, look me up as I would love to meet you in person.



Lastly, to my wonderful instructor, who was patient, encouraging, motivational, enlightening and with me, and I am sure with everyone that you continue to be a guiding light to the students that will come after us and my very best wishes to you as you too, make a difference in the lives of your students! Thanks for all you do!



Debra Stevens- MS Education Graduate (finally yeah!!!)

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: International

One of the organizations that appealed to me is Plan Organization. Plan is a child-centered community development organization: I chose this organization because they work with children families ,local governments for the overall success and improvement of their conditions for a positive change. A position that is listed is for a Program Manager in Zambia. The individual will be responsible for driving the full development and implementation of the program, focusing on common or regional components of the program, coordinating common approaches and working closely with other staff across the four countries. The position requires Master’s Degree.

Individual must demonstrated knowledge of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and/or girls’ rights issues and international development theory and practice, with specific wide ranging knowledge on gender issues in Southern Africa, focusing on the impact of child marriages and related gender issues. Demonstrate knowledge and experience of donors with an interest in gender issues and/or the Southern Africa region including knowledge of donor requirements in relation to concept development, proposal writing and implementation planning.

The second organization is Child Empowerment International which works to reduce the cycle of poverty in areas of civil unrest through empowering and educating marginalized children. This organization did not have a job posting however they did have opportunities in which an individual could intern, donate, and sponsor children.

Third organization is UNICEF-is the leading advocate for children’s rights, active in more than 190 countries and territories through country programs and National Co

mmittees. I chose them because they not only focus and assist children and families in the United States but all over the world and offer a multitude of services from health, education, nutrition, child protection. They also support children with disabilities. Parent support is also important and UNICEF as they offer life skills to help the development of parents as well. There is a position in Egypt in Management. The position requires a Master’s Degree with experience working in non- profit organization’s for a minimum of three years and willing to travel to other countries to monitor the other locations.

 

plan-international.org

http://www.childempowerment.org/

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.htm

 

 

 

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

 

This week blog assignment was to identify three organizations I was interested in , the job availabilities  at those organizations the job requirements for them. Three of the national/federal organizations that appeal to me is national Head Star organization, National Black Child Development Institute and Neighborhood Centers Inc. which is federally funded program.

 I choose the National Head Start organization because I work at a head start organization and in my 12 almost 13 years working with Head Start I have learned a lot from what this organization does for low income families and the wealth of resources that are offered.

The National Black Child Development Institute is a national organization’s mission is to improve and advance the lives of Black children and their families, through advocacy and education and the majority of children and families that I work with are children of color and I feel that I must search for resources that I can give to families that will help them.

Neighborhood Centers is an organization that receives federal funding to Partnering with families, teachers, care providers and community-based groups, Collaborative for Children focuses on early care and education for children ages birth to six. They  help parents find child care, provide parents with materials, resources and instruction pertaining to child learning, care and development, support and assist to develop early care and education professionals, increase public awareness surrounding the impact of quality early education, and to strengthen early care and education systems .I am involved in a program with this organization that involves several licensed child care centers private sector and head start centers in the Sunnyside area of Houston. We meet monthly to discuss what is new with policy in the early childcare industry, organize events in the community such as recruitment , enrollment events, and health fairs.

National Head Start has positions for Director. The position requires a Master’s Degree and experience working in a federally funded program and responsible for the overall compliance for the agency which consists of 23 centers . National Black Child Development Institute has an opening for a Fund Development/Major Gifts Associate the PRIMA

RY FUNCTION/PURPOSE: The Major Gifts Associate will support the fundraising priorities of the President and CEO and other staff at National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). The Associate will also maintain a personal portfolio of major gift donors. Time will be spent supporting the organization in reaching their annual fundraising goals, identifying, engaging, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding current and prospective donors to meet annual revenue target. The Associate will serve as the main point of contact for these assigned donors to help deepen their relationship and increase their support for NBCDI and Collaborative has no positions available at this time.

 

 http://www.nhsa.org/services

http://nbcdi.org/about/

http://www.collabforchildren.org

 

 

Exploring roles in the ECE Community:Local and State Levels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

This week assignment was to pick at least three state or local organizations that appealed to me and they are the National Head Start Association which is a national organization, Neighborhood Centers , a local community organization and lastly Collaborative for Children also a local organization.

I choose these three because of the areas of helping children and families that they all are involved in. all organizations bring resources and education and serve for social and economic development for children and families.

Head Start NHSA offers a wide variety of services to its members and to the Head Start and Early Childhood Education communities. Their services include advocating for the rights for children and families, Affiliate Relations, Disaster Relief Fund, Find a Head Start Program, Head Start Alumni, Marketing Opportunities, Professional Development , Opening The Doors Volunteer Program.

Neighborhood Centers a local organization that strive to understand the needs of the clients and to make a positive difference in their lives. They offer a variety of services such as:  Economic development, Citizenship/Immigration service, Comprehensive family health and education, Leadership & Civic Engagement, Youth programs, and Senior programs

Collaborative for children is a local organization that services infants to 5 years of age. They offer programs that are focused on the development physical and mentally of children starting at birth. They assist families with finding services for their children if they are developmentally delayed, need child care at low cost. They are a non- profit organization that does not charge fees to parents for services. All agencies provide tools needed for individuals and families to build self- esteem and to become self sufficient .

Job opportunities available for Head Start are ,Support  Manager, Disabilities manager and Head Start Director. NCI had no positions available as well as Collaborative for children. You must be knowledgeable of community action agencies and non -profit organizations. All require at least two-five years in all positions and be available to work some weekends as needed to do events for the agencies. Computer literate and knowledgeable of Excel, Microsoft Office/Word and this is for all positions including the cook position.Must be knowledgeble of state, local and national laws and regulations to maintainn compliance in all areas.

 http://www.nhsa.org/

http://www.neighborhood-centers.org

http://www.collabforchildren.org/

 

                                                 Profile of a Volunteer






I selected Cynthia Bell she is a volunteer for Community in Schools. Community in School is a program that has programs in public schools such as Girl and Boys Scouts, Backpack Buddy, Christmas Wish Program, Career Day just to name a few. She is a foster Grandparent who volunteer’s Monday –Friday’s at the school. Mrs. Bell has impacted so many lives in her years of service to countless to count.



She is there no matter the weather and is always smiling and saying good morning to everyone she encounters.
Her contribution is invaluable as she is know as Grandma to many of the student’s who have no grandmother in their lives and even to the one who does.
Mrs. Bell encourages, helps with tutoring the at risk students and is a positive influence to not only the students but the adults as well.



I want to give back to children who are most in need and by seeing the work and the positive outcomes that I see of the volunteering that Mrs. Bell does makes me aware of how important not only advocating is for the students and their families that I come in contact with but volunteering in other areas as well.

 

“Using Social Media to Get Connected”

My past experiences using the internet and  social media  was overwhelming as once I clicked on the button, there was so much to choose from. After years of searching sites too many to count, I have gotten more comfortable and pretty good at finding what I need with only a few words typed in the search bar.

 This has opened a whole new world for me. I have come into the age of using social media to broaden my experience and networking with others who share my passion for advocating for children and families. This area has enabled me to share so much valuable information to parents, staff, colleagues, and collaborative partners who I come into contact on a regular basis.

The social media tools that were in the article for this week’s reading , Facebook, twitter, blogging, you tube, are all good resources to find and share information as well as stay connected to groups of interest. I feel these are all good media tools to get the word out and get more individuals involved in advocating for children and families.

I would share these sites with parents, staff and colleagues at staff meetings, trainings , workshops to broaden their resources and would encourage them to become members of organizations, volunteer, become active in writing letters to legislature on behalf of others using these sources.

These tools are invaluable to me as a student, parent, grandmother, supervisor and advocate for children and families and by using these resources , I have become more knowledgeable of many organizations and individuals who have the same goals and want to make a difference in this field.

 

 

                                                          "Advocacy Messages"

 

 

 

 

One campaign message I believe to be important and inspiring is in the article of Autism Speaks.The agency launched a major radio advertising campaign Sponsored by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Mike Doyle (D-PA),  on the bill  that would authorize an additional three years of federal funding frozen at current levels to continue research, services and treatment for autism and related behavioral disorders. The authorization would not add to the national debt, while allowing critical work to continue in addressing autism, which has been declared a public health emergency by the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC),( Autism Speaks 2011).

 

                                                                                                            

 Another is the advertisement for missing children from the website www.missingkids.com. This website is inspiring and important because there are many children who are kidnapped yearly either from someone they know and who are strangers to them. I have just finished watching the story of Carlena White, a young woman who was kidnapped when she was only 19 days old. She was reunited with her biological family only because of this organizations website and services that assist in finding missing children.

I believe both of these organizations are beneficial to families and are great and important resources that should be supported by everyone.

www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/new-autism

www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/NewsEventServlet