National & Federal Roles in the ECE Field

This weeks assignment was to obtain three websites that would be helpful to Early Childhood Education professionals.

1. The Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development - they focus on supporting young children's development. This includes health, nutrition, education, social science, economics, child protection and social welfare. The ECCD field strives to ensure young children’s overall well-being during the early years, providing also the foundation for the development of adults who are healthy, socially and environmentally responsible, intellectually competent, and economically productive. They have no current job opportunities listed.

http://www.ecdgroup.com/

2. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children and Families - this agency focuses on providing resources to families, on various things children related from education, health and development. More information an be obtained by region, area etc. There were no job opportunities available.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/

3. The Division for Early Childhood - this agency is apart of a division of the Council for Exceptional Children. There focus is to promote policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children.The only job opportunity listed was for a post-doctoral researcher in Kansas City.

http://www.dec-sped.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

This week we are to look for local and state ECE organizations that appeal to us and why.

1. Quality Care for Children (QCC)- this organization serves as a resource for child care providers, families and those in between. If you care for children, have an interest in providing quality care and education for children in Georgia this is the place. QCC doesn't have any job openings currently but in the past they've had openings for an ECE specialist. This would entail someone going into the field and assisting those who care for children between the ages of birth - 5yrs. This person may help provide educational tools or consult on set up of an in home child care program. I believe a person would need to have the experience and a great deal of education in the field of ECE prior to being able to successfully perform this job and many related with this organization. www.qualitycareforchildren.org

2. Bright from the Start (BFTS)- this organization is a state wide agency that has information about most things ECE related. This is also the organization that provides licenses for child care providers in Georgia, while also providing consultation, funding, support and all things related for the Georgia Pre-k classrooms. They also provide resources for families seeking care or schooling for their children. BFTS currently has an opening for a Program Evaluator/Pre-K Education Specialist. This person would assess prek program classrooms and offer support to teachers. A BA or Masters in ECE is recommended for this position as well as Georgia prek experience. This is the only open position with this agency. http://decal.ga.gov/

3. Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) (DFACS) - this statewide organization is the command center for all things human service related in Georgia. This includes health insurance for children, food stamps for needy families. The Division of Family and Children Services is a part of the DHS agency that does much more. Their website reads that they:

investigates child abuse; finds foster homes for abused and neglected children; helps low income, out-of-work parents get back on their feet; assists with childcare costs for low income parents who are working or in job training; and provides numerous support services and innovative programs to help troubled families.

The DFACS agency looks to hire many people who already benefit from their services and those who do not. Although they have many positions available right now many of those include clerical jobs all the way to director of various divisions. The educational requirements vary based on position. http://dfcs.dhs.georgia.gov/