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

National Institute of Mental Health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and education of mental health. Most of the job opportunities are clinical so I would not meet the requirements of the positions, but working alongside the clinicians would be helpful to learn more about specific topics regarding mental health, and having the latest information based on research and brain development.

National Association for the Education of Young Children

http://www.naeyc.org

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children. NAEYC’s mission is “to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources (NAEYC Bylaws, Article 1., Section 1.1). An available employment opportunity that interests me is that of an HR Generalist. As an HR Generalist I would support and coordinate the day-to-day administration of the Human Resources Office and program areas. I would provide administrative and program support by coordinating recruitment, recordkeeping and training, and working closely with management and staff to support their needs and requests for assistance. The requirements for this position is a BS degree with several years of administration experience, as well as experience in working with a non-profit organization.

Zero to Three

http://www.zerotothree.org

Zero to Three is a national organization that provides parents, professionals, and policy makers the knowledge and know how to nurture early development. They offer an extensive amount of information on behavior and development for children ages 0-3, as well as in many other areas. The available employment opportunity that interests me is that of a Senior Writer/Training Specialist. As a Senior Writer/Training Specialist I would design and conduct trainings for federal staff, technical assistance providers, and early head start program staff. I would also maintain a system for coordinated communication and knowledge sharing with the early head start community. I would need to have knowledge and skills in the early head start program as well as have a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

    Three local organizations that appealed to me due to the services that they offer are Riverside County Department of Mental Health, Family Service Association, and Riverside County Office of Education. These organizations interest me both for their employment opportunities, and as potential communities of practice.

    The Riverside County Department of Mental Health offers a variety of services, awareness opportunities, and resources for families and the community.  “The Riverside County Department of Mental Health (RCDMH) exists to provide effective, efficient, and culturally sensitive community-based services to adults, older adults, and children who have or are at risk of developing mental illnesses or substance abuse problems; as well as to individuals on conservatorship. We strive to provide consumers with services that will empower them to achieve and maintain their own recovery goals and personal wellness” (http://rcdmh.org/opencms). I chose Riverside County Department of Mental Health because of my professional and personal experiences with them. They have locations in many Riverside County communities that allows for convenient accessibility to those they serve. They also reach out to the families of those they serve to ensure effective care. One previously available job opportunity is that of a parent partner. The parent partner is someone who has experience with a child that received services through the Riverside Department of Mental Health and can assist other parents/families with the process as well as inform them of what services are available to them.

    “Family Service Association’s Mission is to provide quality human services, child development, housing and senior services to residents of the Inland Empire and Desert Communities” (http://fsaca.org). Family Service Association (FSA) is a unique organization that started in the early 1950’s by offering high quality and affordable counseling services to the Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In 1985 they decided to expand their services to include high quality and affordable child development centers due to the growing needs of families. FSA has since expanded their services to also include nutrition programs, housing assistance, cool/warm centers, and services to seniors through housing and meals on wheels. FSA has many job opportunities that appeal to me but I would like to seek a management position in their child development program.

    The other local organization that appeals to me is the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). RCOE is a large organizations with several departments within it. The department that I am most interested in is Children and Family Services. Through this department several state and federally funded child development facilities are operated. “These programs focus on children from low income families to help them receive early education and preparation for entrance into public school, and child care and development services to assist families on their road to self-sufficiency” (http://www.rcoe.us/children-family-services/). I would like to have Riverside County Office of Education within my community of practice. They are a large organization that serves many children and families, and because of this they would be a valuable resource.

References

http://rcdmh.org/opencms

http://fsaca.org

http://www.rcoe.us/children-family-services/