EXPLORING ROLES IN THE ECE COMMUNITY: LOCAL AND STATE LEVELS

For this week’s blog assignment we were asked to research at least three local or state organizations or communities of practice that appealed to us.  We were then asked to explain why these choices were made.  We also were asked to find some job opportunities (which may be available at the moment or possibly in the future) that are of interest to us.  Once this was accomplished we were asked to research what skills and experience each of us would need to competently fulfill each of these roles.

Not surprisingly, I found a lot of options that appealed to me at a local and a state level.  Locally, as a licensed home child care provider for the last twenty-three years I have been fortunate to be a part of communities of practice such as the South County Community Partnership; YMCA located in Southbridge, Massachusetts (child care vouchers, trainings, and UPK grant); Yours for Children, Inc. (food program and nutrition trainings); Seven Hills Foundation (respite work); Department of Children and Families (DCF) (foster care and trainings); and Big Brothers Big Sisters (as a mentor/big sister to a terrific young lady with special needs).  Each of the above-mentioned were given as examples since I am currently involved with all of them.

Sadly, even though I will have two Master of Science degrees (Psychology and Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy) when this class is completed, I still do not have some of the qualifications needed for some of the positions I found in my area of interest.  I have listed three of the job opportunities which interested me. 

1.  Executive Director, Children’s Leadership Council (Voices for America’s Children) (voices.org, n.d.). 

Qualifications Needed for this position are:  Excellent verbal and written communication, coordination, and consensus building skills; is a sophisticated advocate and can effectively work with, support and energize, CEOs, Executive Directors and staff of national and state organizations, sister coalitions, foundations and other diverse audiences; has at least six years working in the policy arena; has the ability to create a personal connection, prioritize important issues and be a creative strategic partner in the development of both the policy focus and the overall future of the CLC; has experience in participating in or supporting multi-organizational coalitions at the state or federal level (experience in coalition building is a plus); can manage and organize multi-step decision making processes that includes substantial committee work; is knowledgeable about the policy landscape for children and youth from birth to young adulthood; understands federal policy and the federal policy process in Congress (Hill experience is a plus); experience managing contracts (preferred but not required); is skilled in the use of the internet, and other related technologies to support communication and group work (experience with Convio is a plus; and a master’s degree is preferred but not required (voices.org, n.d.).

2.  Early Childhood Educator – South Bay Mental Health

Qualifications needed for this position are:  A degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Child Development or Child Studies is essential. You must also have experience working with young children and families as you will offer direct care that includes developmental evaluations and assessments, curriculum development and group work, service coordination as well as parent support and education.

You will also find the mentoring you’re seeking, professional supervision you’ll welcome and training that pushes you to excel.

3.  Family Advocate/Social Worker/Case Manager (Community Children’s Center) - Horizons for Homeless Children

Qualifications needed for this position are:  Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or Family Studies required; Spanish speaking strongly preferred; case manager experience is critical; experience working with homeless and/or at risk families; commitment to a collaborative team approach; excellent communication and writing skills; knowledge of early childhood development a plus (horizonsforhomelesschildren.org, n.d.).

References

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MA/Metrowest, Inc. (n.d.). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MA/Metrowest, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.bbbscm.org/

Family Advocate/Social Worker/Case Manager (2 openings) Community Children's Center, Dorchester. (n.d.). Horizons for Homeless Children: Improving the Lives of Homeless Children and Families. Retrieved from http://horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/About_Us-Family-Advocate--Family-Partnerships-04-25-12.asp

 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://voices.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/CLC-Executive-Director-

Job-Description.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://jobview.worcester.monster.com/EARLY-CHILDHOOD-

EDUCATORS-Job-Brockton-MA-US-115424838.aspx

Seven Hills Foundation. (n.d.). Seven Hills Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.sevenhills.org/