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

This week we were asked to look into three national or federal level jobs in the early childhood field. I chose to look into at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Strengthening Families, and The Zero to Three Program.

U.S Department of Health & Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Reason why I find this program as place where I can grow, learn and support children and families with the most need, This department is responsible for managing more than 300 programs that cover a wide spectrum of program areas. A position that seems to interest me is Head Start Program Specialist.

 Strengthening Families

I choose to look more into this program, because I was recently invited to 7^th Annual Conference were I had the opportunity to learn more about the services they offer to all children and families particularly those with the most need. I learned that The Strengthening Families Program,  is a nationally and internationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program for high-risk and regular families. I also learned that the Strengthening Family program is an evidence-based family skills training program found to significantly reduce problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in children and to improve social competencies and school performance. I also interested in the importance they give on strengthening the bonds between parents and their children, mainly focusing on decreasing child maltreatment as well as increasing effective parenting skills. Factors that are crucial to learn and practice, in order to be caring and responsible caregivers. Child maltreatment also decreases as parents strengthen bonds with their children and learn more effective parenting skills. A job opportunity that I see interesting is:

The Infant Toddler Workforce Development

Position Description

The Infant Toddler Workforce Development Manager is responsible for ensuring the supervision and full engagement of the program staff in the provision of high-quality, integrated and effective training and technical assistance for the Prenatal through Three Workforce Development Project. The Infant Toddler Workforce Development Manager will provide direct oversight of all deliverables including content expertise curriculum development, webinars, webcasts and trainings, with specific emphasis on materials addressing general infant/toddler development. The Infant Toddler Workforce Development Manager will bring specific content expertise to help expand the capacity of the Western Regional Office and the Prenatal through Three Project cross multiple sectors – physical health, social services/child welfare, mental health, early care and education, and early intervention.

Education

A degree in Early Childhood Development (Master’s Degree or higher) or a related field with an emphasis in infant development.

ZERO TO THREE

This organization would be one that I would love to be part of, like their mission as to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers. The earlier the intervention the better is outcomes in the years to come, that is the main focus of the Zero to Three program. This program also supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. One of the current jobs available that got my attention is the “Infant Toddler Manager”, this position requires as Master’s degree in the field of early childhood and at least 2 years of experience working with children 0 to 3 years of age.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

 CEDA NORTHWEST

The mission of CEDA Northwest is to work in partnership with communities to empower families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. They assist residents of the northwest suburbs of Chicago, to build stronger communities through economic opportunities and empowering families and individuals. They offer programs such as Child Care Assistance, Children and Fathers Program, Education Counseling and Assistance, Health and Nutrition, Intake and Outreach, and much more. I choose this organization, because it is the organization I work with, this is the place which I refer most of my families that are in need of support in various areas such as finding a work, house assistance, problems paying their bills due to economic hardship, counseling and so on.

Illinois Action for Children                                    

Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most. Illinois Action for Children envisions a future in which, children and families are a priority, were all children and families, especially those most vulnerable, have the opportunities and resources they need. This organization is one that with closely with, as we help parents meet the requirements in order to qualify for childcare assistance. Without this organization many of our families would be able to place their children in childcare, due to high rate that these centers charge.

 

 VOICES FOR ILLINOIS CHILDREN

Voice for Illinois Children works across all issue areas to improve the lives of children of all ages throughout our state so they grow up healthy, happy, safe, loved and well educated. Voices for Illinois Children champion the full development of every child in Illinois to assure the future well-being of everyone in the state. They work with families, communities and policymakers on all issues to help children grow up healthy, happy, safe, loved, and well educated. Voices for Illinois Children, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, statewide advocacy organization that supports policies which foster children’s learning and development. They also work across multiple issue areas such as including education and out-of-school time opportunities, health and human services, and family economic security – to improve the lives of children of all ages.

 

Jobs Opportunities:

“The Once”

Early Head Start Partner Education Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY: The Early Head Start Partner Education Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Grantee's Early Head Start (EHS) Partners in the Education and Early Childhood Development Services area through leadership, training, monitoring and technical assistance to programs' systems and services as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards. The EHS Partner Education Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the Grantee's EHS Partners' programs develop, integrate and implement systems and procedures for the delivery of quality educational programming to all infants and toddlers they service and to ensure compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and that mandates for federal, state and local licensing are met. This position requires travel to sites located in the Chicagoland area.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The EHS Partner Education Coordinator is supervised by the Assistant Director of Grantee Support Services.

EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS:

• Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred), Early Childhood Development or related service field.
• Five years experience in a Head Start or similar Early Childhood program, including:
• Experience in program development and assessment of quality services.
• Experience working with education staff, infants and toddlers and their families.
• Experience designing and implementing training for staff.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• A biannual physical examination and TB test are required as condition of initial employment and continued employment

Developmental Therapist

Is another job that I would like to look into, and I would be able to work on with the Masters in Early Childhood. My husband did this job for many years as an assistant therapist and it seem very rewarding as you work with the child in the various areas of development in the environment of the child’s home and at the same time you work with the parents modeling ways to interact with their child.