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

Three organizations I chose to highlight all involve or are related to my challenge of parent involvement in children's education.

Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE): A research area of the Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP)
-founded in 2000
-a national network of people who are interested in promoting strong partnerships between children's educators, their families, and their communities. They are dedicated to strengthening family-school-community partnerships by researching information on effective ways to encourage and support the involvement of the family in a child's learning and development.
-As a subgroup of the organization they have Parent University which is a nationwide group of universities that help families develop knowledge and skills that allow them to be active in their child's learning.
-There are opportunities to join the network, participate in discussions on web chat and in web conferences, and submit articles for the newsletter publication.
-Possible jobs: Family Involvement staff member consists of consultants, research analysts and research specialists, director, and assistant director. Skills needed to fulfill any of these roles would include knowledge of child development and policy, research skills, leadership and management skills, customer service skills, and an overall enjoyment of working with families and other education professionals.

National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE)
-founded in 1980
-Mission: "to advocate the involvement of parents and families in their children's education, and to foster relationships between home, school, and community to enhance the education of all our nation's young people." (www.ncpie.org)
-This organization has instituted in each state at least one Parent Training and Information Center or Community Parent Resource Center. These centers service families of children with and without disabilities from birth to age 22. They provide parents and schools with training, info, and technical assistance to know and understand how children develop and how to succeed in school.
-Possible Jobs: Look within your prospective states' Parent Training Center. Must posses the knowledge base of child development, policies (national and local) regarding education and families, local community resources

National Center for Fathering (http://fathers.com)
-non-profit educational organization that provides extensively-researched based training and resources to men who are fathers, grandfathers, and father figures so they are equipped to address the needs of their children.
-formed in response to the trend of fatherlessness in America
-provide annual seminars, small group trainings, daily radio programming, weekly newsletters, and a featured program called WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) which encourages and supports the active involvement in children's education
- Possible Jobs: no jobs except for those charged to the community to spread the word and advocate for dads everywhere to be proactive in their children's education
                                                                                                                                

Exploring Roles in The ECE Community: Local and State Levels

As I perused the web for local and state organizations, agencies, and communities of practice, I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of theme were right under my nose, well more like down the street from my house! The three I have listed below are wonderful organizations/ agencies/ communities of practice that I am excited to become a part of because they pertain to my favorite part of the EC field and that is child development and parent training. Thing is they have always been there, I just never looked....


-First Connections: Hardin County
This early childhood program offers enrichment lessons and activities for children and parents together. It is for infants and children to age 4 and is at no cost and without academic stipulations! The three main programs they offer are Cradle School, PAT (Parents as teachers), and TAP (Teens as Parents). They recognize the importance of brain development within the first 3 years of life and that having proper care and stimulation during those years is critical to the child's ability to succeed in life. They have a mission to empower parents to be their child's first and best teacher. The main job opportunity for this program is a Parent Educator. This person must have a working knowledge of child development and keep abreast of the newest and latest research. this person must also be personable and be able to establish a good rapport and relationship with each parent involved.

-United Way of Central Kentucky

This accredited charity funds communities of practice within the state. With a logo of "Live United", they encourage people to invest in their communities by giving, advocating, and volunteering to make a difference. When communities of practice get together for a cause United Way offers financial support to go towards the cause. Some of the current impact they are having include in after school programs for different county districts, family care centers, Feeding America program, Head Start, early childhood parent trainings. Their mission is to connect the community for the common good. The job opportunities here are all volunteer based. There is an extensive list on the website of volunteer opportunities from a teacher's assistant in a Head Start classroom to a van driver to transport disabled American Veterans. http://unitedwayck.org

-Lincoln Trail District Health Department
Provide early childhood services such as First Steps, Communicare, parenting classes, counseling services, and HANDS (Health Access Nurturing Development Service). This particular EC program promotes positive pregnancy outcome, optimal child growth and development, and family support. Their mission is to provide families with the assurance of the public's health and safety through assessment, intervention, education, and preparedness. Job opportunities include Family Support Workers. These individuals visit homes on a regular basis, build trusting relationships with families, assists first-time parents, and assists families with information on child development and parenting skills. They must also collaborate with other service providers and be knowledgeable about the program. http://ltdhd.ky.gov

My EC field Wordle

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