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

 For this week's Blog. On roles and jobs within the Early childcare community, I have chosen the following agencies, which are located in my current home town.

 

  The first agency I located is; Smart Start of Buncombe County. I chose Smart Start, because of their positive involvement with educators, children, and families. Smart start believes that;

 

Learning begins at birth;

•       All children deserve the best opportunities for learning and development;

•       Families and communities play a critical role in children's learning; and

•       Collaboration is essential to accomplish our vision http://www.smartstart-buncombe.org/index.php/about

 

The job opportunity that was currently available through this agency, was for a Finance & Contracts Manager. However, this job was currently closed, as they are beginning the interview process, from applicants that have applied.

 

The next agency I researched was; Caring for Children: A Program of Eckerd. Caring for children offers community-based services, that will support families in finding childcare programs, as well as provides children and families with therapeutic services, mental health services, and residential services http://caring4children.org/resources/employment/.

 

I chose this agency because, there are not many agencies, which will work closely with families in helping them to find quality care for their children, as well as support children and families through abusive crisis situations, financial hardships, and providing therapy and resources, to help children and families learn how to cope, after they overcome such traumatic experiences.

 

The current job opportunity through this agency is for a ; CFC teaching parent. CFC teaching parents:

 

•         Teaching Parents are responsible for delivering treatment services to and managing emotionally disturbed, undisciplined, delinquent, and per-delinquent youth in a 24-hour residential facility using the Teaching-Family Model.

•          Responsibilities include all those items and responsibilities of a parent, including the provision of material needs, physical needs, spiritual needs, emotional needs and disciplinary needs.

•         Meal preparation. Administer and document all medications.

•          Provide transportation for residents with an agency vehicle.

•          Assist in completing all documentation necessary to fulfill all state and other requirements.

•         Participate in Child and Family Teams.

•         Facilitate an ongoing relationship with residents and their families https://eckerd.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/413.

 

Job Requirements :

Education – High School Graduate, BA/BS degree preferred.

Experience: At least two years experience in a Human Services or related field of study.

Skills – Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.  Skilled ability in computer systems including PC software, spreadsheets, Word, Internet, and other business applications.  Keen desire to work with troubled children and make a difference in the child's life.  Detail oriented, able to manage multiple assignments independently.  Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and practices related to residential child care.  Ability to maintain good rapport with community partners and supports, other employees, and demonstrate constructive problem-solving skills.

Physical Demands: Working conditions are the same as those in a homelike environment; office environment in the home; and, meetings in community-based settings.  Sitting, standing, walking, and occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds.  Operating a personal computer are a routine part of the job.  Incumbent must be able to travel to outlaying offices and offsite meetings.  The work schedule is 24/7 with shift coverage by Alternate Teaching-Parents, and fluctuates according to the demands of the position.

Other – Must meet state criminal background check requirements.

Travel - Must be able to meet requirements for Eckerd’s Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes.  Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid NC driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

The last agency I chose was; Community Health Improvement Process (CHIP), located within my local Department of Social Service building. I became interested in the CHIP program, because they  offer programs on:

•         Healthy Living (Physical activity, healthy eating, and clinical weight management)

•       Tobacco (cessation and prevention)

•       Preconception Health

•       Early Childhood Development

•       Clinical-Community Connections http://www.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Health/Chip.aspx.

 

The position offered through this agency is for a; Investigative Assessment & Treatment Social Worker (Investigations/In-Home/Foster Care Social Worker). Some of the responsibilities include; Providing direct services to children, their parents and other caretakers ensure child safety in compliance with state and federal statutes regarding child protective services by assessing the risk and safety of children in response to actual or suspected child neglect, abuse, or dependency; developing and monitoring service plans with families and provide or refer services as needed; and making recommendations to the court, including services needed, progress and barriers to permanent plan.(#1958) .

Education required for this position would be; an  MSW or BSW; NC Pre-Service training; and prior Child Welfare experience. 

 

References:

Smart Start of Buncombe County. Retrieved from  http://www.smartstart-buncombe.org/index.php/about

Caring for Children: A Program of Eckerd. Retrieved from http://caring4children.org/resources/employment/.

Community Health Improvement Process. Retrieved from  http://www.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Health/Chip.aspx.

 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels. EDUC 6990-6

I am an early educator, who has worked with young children for over 16 years. Through my journey in Walden University’s Master’s program, I have gained so much insight in working children from diverse backgrounds, to building strong partnerships with families, and community organizations. For this particular blog assignment, I was asked to seek out 3 community organizations, and jobs of interest, that foster the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field as a whole.

The first organization that caught my interest is called; A Caring Alternative, LLC. Caring Alternative, LLC, uses solid evidence based, trauma focused models, and interventions, with children that have experienced displacement from homes due to abuse/neglect, behavior challenges, and other severe mental health issues. This organization also runs foster care programs within 7 counties in North Carolina, as well as Day Treatment classroom programs, within the county I currently live.

 I am interested in a position with this organization, because I am ready to explore a career, with working with children in a mental health environment. I am willing to gain the training, and experience needed, to successfully facilitate the proper treatment and therapeutic experiences, which will ensure these young children will find placement in a stable adoptive family, as well as return back to their biological families in a safe and healthy manner. In order to qualify for employment with A Caring Alternative, LLC, I would need:

·         Provisional and Licensed Clinicians.

·         Must be deeply committed to high quality of care for the client.

·         Some available positions require travel on a daily basis in the local community in order to provide skill building and supportive counseling and to assist the consumer to develop critical daily living and coping skills.

In addition to these qualifications, I am required to have a valid driver’s license, and clean driver’s record.  And I must poses a clean criminal background record.

The next organization, I looked into was through the United Way, Dallas Texas, as an Education Impact Specialists. Although I am hundreds of miles from Texas, this job caught my interest because the program consists of basically four different positions in 1. The four parts of the position focuses on home visits services with youth in high risk/high targeted communities, providing online resources, and referral services, implementing training for assessments Instruments, and assisting in the development of plans for early childhood comprehensive systems throughout Dallas Texas.

Qualifications of this particular position require:

·         Strong communication/documentation skills.

·         Solid understanding of child development, education and social service programs and systems for children and families

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·         Experience in roles where relationship management is key to success

·         Experience in project and contract management

·         Motivated, driven and an independent worker

·         Solid understanding of basic research practices

·         Detail-oriented

In addition to these qualifications, I will need an; Undergraduate degree, preferably in child development, early childhood education or a related field. And a Minimum 1-3 years in social services or non-profit project management, development and implementation .I chose to look into this job because, of the flexibility, in working within the community. I am a face-paced thinker, and mover. I enjoy working as a mentor, and helping fellow colleagues, in developing curriculums, and conducting assessments, that are used appropriately, in measuring the growth and development, of young children.

My last career selection was through and agency by the name of; Right to Play, located in New York City. This program encompasses all of the values, and beliefs that I hold, and has been imbedded in my soul throughout the years of receiving higher education, “Children learn best through play, and real-life experiences”.  The Right to Play organization believes, children should have high-quality early learning opportunities, supporting school readiness and lifelong achievement by harnessing the power of play as a tool for learning, exploration, and development. The education level for this position is; an Associate’s degree in Program managing, or Early childhood education.

Duties for this position include:

·         CONDUCT NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS TO DESIGN AND DELIVER INTENTIONAL PROGRAMS THAT MEET CBO NEEDS (15%):

·         SUPPORT DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF HANDS-ON, DYNAMIC WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, PARENTS/CAREGIVERS, FAMILY WORKERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (25%):

·         PROVIDE ON-GOING COACHING, GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION TO PARTICIPANTS (35%)

·         MONITORING AND EVALUATION (15%

·         MONITORING AND EVALUATION (15%):