MY OWN CAPACITY

The issues fuel my passion in the early childhood field: 1) Early childhood education not being available to all young children 2) The low income status of early childhood workers 3) Money being the determining factor as to whether or not a child receives and early childhood education

These are the special skills that I have: 1)Having worked in administration for 10 years gave me an understanding of written and oral communication 2) I have worked as a director for a non-profit child care center for 7 years where I gained an understanding of different state, federal, and local regulations that govern the child care industry 3) Now after 7 years as a director I have been working as a substitute for an Headstart class with children ages 3 to 4 – here I am grasping an understanding of working hands-on with children to prepare them for the next level of their education – I can also relate the teachers and how tedious, but very rewarding their job is. 4) Lastly, my education, obtaining my Masters Degree in field of study for which I have learned first hand through my experience.  These skills coupled together with my degree I believe will help me to continue to thrive as an advocate for young children and their families.

The resources that are at my disposal are: My mentor, partnerships that were developed with other non-profit organizations such as the United Way of Greater Richmond and SMART Beginnings that are all apart of our participation in Virginia’s Star Quality Rating Initiative.

One of my many talents is that I love art.  I love creating things that will open up the minds and creativity of children.

Through this training at Walden University in the Master’s Program I have already gained a wealth of knowledge regarding public policy and what an advocate really is.

MY ROLE AS AN ADVOCATE

What motivated you to start advocating for very young children? My motivation came from a desire to see children from all communities have the necessary tools in their early education to become successful in school years and later as productive citizens in their future communities.

Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level? I believe that fostering advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level is important as it allows you to build a community of advocates from the families and children that are affected to local community leaders and then to government officials.  These are simply building blocks to ensure that everyone involved understands their importance.

What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues? 1) Research to ensure that you have an understanding of your community needs regarding families and young children 2) Persistence 3) Established relationship with community organizations such as: civic league, principals in schools and other non-profit organizations within your community – familiarity with other non-profit organizations will allow you to understand their focus so that you are not duplicating efforts but may be able to combine efforts to reach a common goal.

What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues? In some instances I believe that in order to be a state leader on early childhood issues is similar to that of a community leader.  1) You must have an understanding of issues regarding young children and their families in your state 2) Persistence 3) Be familiar with organizations within your state that may have similar programs for children.  For example: we may be able to take the steps that Elliot Regenstein took in the State of Illinois in implementation of the Preschool for All Initiative.

What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others? 1) Build a relationship with the individual 2) Grasp an understanding of who they are 3) Work with them to set goals for themselves 4) Praise them when they accomplish those goals 4) Be honest in correction

What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families? 1) Be persistent 2) Research 4) Do not get discouraged 5) Stay focused on your overall goal.

PERSONAL ADVOCACY REFLECTION

This person would be my mentor.  She has been consistently consistent in her quest to provide the best quality care for the children in our care.  A few years ago she began by investing in her staff.  She developed a partnership with United Way of Greater Richmond. This partnership allowed us to have mentors from different aspects of Early Childhood whether it is a retired educator or a college professor of early childhood education.  These individuals came into our center and began to share information that would push us forward in our quest for quality.  As a result of her quest she and I along with several other staff members enrolled in a local community college to obtain the credits needed to submit applications for our Child Development Associate (CDA). After completing the program together we all obtained our CDA’s and now we continue with the STAR Quality Initiative there is a push for the staff to obtain their Associates degrees.

She realized that in order to provide quality to the children she had to have staff with credentials that would allow for that provision.  As a result of her passion for young children and quality education I not only pushed to obtain my CDA but obtained my Bachelor’s degree and now a pursuit of my Master’s degree in early childhood education.  Without her belief and push I probably would not have pursued a college degree.  However, through her advocacy efforts and investment in the staff she realized that there was another aspect that was lacking, the parents.  So today, another partnership has been developed with the City of Richmond Early Childhood Initiative.  She sent me to a three day course to learn how to facilitate the classes.  This partnership will allow us to provide parenting classes to parents, grandparents and caregivers of children ages 0-5. 

We will engage in a 15 week series where they will earn to foster positive self esteem in themselves and children and how culture and community affect parenting.  In addition, they will learn how to gain a sense of personal power, handle stress and anger, establish nurturing routines and use effective discipline.  I am so grateful to have such a person in my life.  My mentor.

ADVOCACY ACTION OVERVIEW

I have worked in an Early Childhood setting for seven years now.  Seven of those years I have been director in a non-profit child care center in an at-risk neighborhood.  On this year I have have the most wonderful opportunity to work as a substitute teacher in a three year old Headstart classroom for the same organization.  While this is a great challenge I am enjoying the day-to-day interactions with the students and parents as a teacher versus a director.

During our readings on this week I was really able to hone in on what advocacy really is.  There are so many different facets of advocacy, and to my surprise I have been advocating for individual families and children, and for our program for many years.  I look forward to learning more about informed advocacy during this eight weeks and what else I can do to advocate even more for the families and children that we serve.

When I Reflect About My Collegial, Professional Learning Community

Post at least three consequences of your experience being a part of a caring, collaborative learning community for your professional growth and development. Use any format you choose. 1) It is always great to learn from the experiences and/or training that others have gained in the field. 2) We do not always have the pleasure of training with those that have like passions.  So that was great!! 3) You really have the opportunity to study and grow in your field.  Because I have been working in the field of early childhood for several years the information that I have gained is very useful.  Lastly, my goal in each of my classes has been to apply the knowledge or sure an enlightenment with those that I work with.

Post one goal for using this collegial experience to enhance your advocacy, policy, and/or system development work on behalf of young children, families, and the early childhood community.  During study of early childhood systems, I must say that the assignment regarding the Hypothetical Family was the most impactful.  I really had to think when considering how I would make sure that my family had everything that it needed in a comprehensive early childhood system.  I know that the development of a strong comprehensive early childhood system would be of most benefit to everyone, but as an advocate I would like to actively work with those policymakers to ensure that every aspect of that system would be covered.

My Hypothetical Family Situation

I am single young parent still in my sophomore year of high school.  On January 25^th I gave birth to a premature son.  Upon speaking with the doctors because of his premature birth several of his organs did not fully develop to include his lungs.  He gained enough weight to come home after a one month stay in the hospital.  While having my exit interview with the Doctors they informed me that because his lungs did not fully develop he would have to have a portable oxygen tank with him at all times until his lungs are able to mature a little more. Brain functioning was delayed.

Needless to say, I was devastated. I am employed at McDonald’s making minimum wage and living with my mother.  I do not have the finances needed to properly take care of a special needs child, but this is my child and my choice is to raise him myself.  After bringing my child home I noticed that he was not using his limbs properly they were stiff and limber.  After returning to the Doctors office with these concerns it was discovered after many medical tests that he also had cerebral palsy which affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills.

1.       Have I given a complete picture of my family, or are there details missing that I should include in order to complete the assignment successfully? If so, what are your suggestions?

2.       Is this situation realistic?

3.       Are there any specific websites I should be reviewing with regard to learning about quality services and programs for my child and family in this hypothetical family situation?

4.       Does anyone have any thoughts, based on my specific family situation that will affect the early childhood system I am creating?

The Political Will to Improve Early Childhood Systems

President Obama – “The Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge” this is a $500 million state – level grant competition. The Obama Administration has sought and secured increased investments in Head Start and child care so that more families have access to quality, affordable care, while pursuing important reforms such as requiring Head Start grantees to compete for continued funding (Press Office, U. S. Department of Education, 2011).

What appeals most to is the continual support of early education and the pursuit to provide quality care for those family.  I think that this challenge will cause grantees to push towards quality in order to be considered for obtaining the grant.

References

http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/obama-administration-announces-500-million-race-top-early-learning-challenge