Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Week 2 Blog Assignment

This week, the 2^nd week of class 6990 for the Capstone project we were to look for Communities of Practice that advocate issues that we are passionate about. For my Capstone project, I am seeking to partner with organizations and individuals that desire to see affordability included in the business of childcare whereby working families can be helped . Many families with two incomes are denied tuition assistance due to the cap that is placed on receiving subsidies. My desire is to make it easier for working families to afford quality early care for their children.  I also would be most interested in working within communities of practice that want to see worthy wages paid to early care professionals

1.

Child Care Services Association
http://www.childcareservices.org/
CCSA is a non-profit, United Way agency committed to improving the affordability, accessibility and quality of child care. Through research, services and advocacy, CCSA works to improve the child care system in local communities, throughout the state of Ohio and across the United States. 

I chose this state organization for its work on advocating for the affordability of childcare for working families, and for the research information and opportunities of the community of practice.

2.

 http://www.4cforchildren.org

4C for Children - the pioneering leader, advocate and resource
for high-quality early education and care
in Southwest Ohio, the Miami Valley and Northern Kentucky.

I selected this local organization for its advocating for quality affordable child care, family support in early childhood education, and professional development opportunities for early care professionals. The job listed below ifs for a CDA Instructor. I would be working with adult learners who have interest in teaching early learners. My job would be to inspire passion in teaching young ones and to instruct them on the professional side of pursing passion for teaching young ones.

Jobs: CDA Instructor with 4C for Children

This part time position out of 4C’s Dayton office is responsible for all aspects of the Child Development Associate preparation program including teaching content, supporting a cohort of students and checking homework.  The curriculum is already developed and follows the Ohio state-wide model. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field is required. Previous experience teaching CDA and knowledge of the CDA system and process is preferred. The commitment for a cohort is approximately one year.

The ideal candidate will be available for a varied schedule that may include nights and weekends, be passionate about CDA and working with students, be able to work independently as well as with a team of other instructors and possess knowledge of adult learning theories.

For more information, contact Lorna Chouinard at 937-723-2713 orlchouinard@4cforchildren.org.

3.

Pre-K Now 
http://www.preknow.org/index.cfm
Pre-K Now is a public education and advocacy campaign that advances high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. They are a project of the Pew Center on the States and receive generous support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and other funders. Pre-K Now provides targeted financial and technical assistance to advocates and other leaders working to secure policy changes and public funds that will improve the availability and quality of state-funded pre-k programs; educate policymakers about the need for pre-k; and raise public awareness about the need for pre-k for all children.

I selected this national organization for the fine advocacy and lobbying activity done on making advances to move the department of education to include in its programing for the Pre-k-12 instead of just K-12.

4.

Center for Childcare Workforce

http://www.ccw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=53

This organization is formed for the benefit of advocating for worthy wages paid to early care teachers. I selected this site so that I could be affiliated with individuals that believe that teachers should receive pay that is commiserate with their education and experience rather than minimum wage pay. Centers should strive to show appreciation for their staff by paying living wages. Creative strategies for accomplishing this must be implemented for success.

Job: Director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment As a member of the early childhood workforce, it is imperative to remain informed and active with local, state and federal public policy initiatives. Early childhood education is now more than ever at the forefront of policy initiatives at all levels of government. The skills needed are:

The job description entails that the director in the Center for Childcare Workforce be assigned to provide and  develop several training models to enhance leadership and organizing skills for child care teachers and providers, to offer strategies and tools to improve staff turnover and retention in child care programs, and to provide a framework for child care programs to assess a good work environment for the adults taking care of young children in child care centers or family child care homes.

The trainings developed should include:

·         Leadership Empowerment Action Project (LEAP)

·         Taking on Turnover

·         Creating Better Child Care Jobs

·         Lifting the Lid on Child Care Wages

·         Getting Training in Your Community