Exploring Roles in the ECE community

There are a number of resources within our community that address the needs of children and families.  The three that I find more interesting are as follows…

·         Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse (ATVP)

ATVP is designed to address the needs of those caught in violent or unhealthy relationships.  Several years ago I worked with a domestic violence consortium in my previous community, specifically taking care of children while their parents were in court on DV related cases.  This experience changed my life and gave me a whole different perspective on the cycle of violence and how hard it can be to see a way out.  The ATVP is a similar organization in my current community so I am drawn to their cause.  Within the program the position that would be of most interest to me would be working directly with the children, while their parent is getting the guidance and help they need.  Often children in these situations are witnessing things that would rock an adult’s world.  They are in need of a safe adult they can count on.  One who can help provide them with a little peace and maybe some guidance during a traumatic time in their lives.  The Search Institute has developed a theory about 40 different developmental assets that children and young adults need in order to find success in life.  While the different assets themselves are compelling, it was the research on what kind of an effect they can have on a life that really got to me.  The chance of a child or young adult participating in destructive behavior like illegal drugs, unhealthy relationships and abusing alcohol drops dramatically as more of these assets are a part of their lives.  I would like to be that extra asset that tips the scale and helps a child to believe in themselves and make a better choice for their future.           

·         Child Find

Child Find is an organization that helps screen young children for possible learning delays.  They provide assessments that cross several different domains and collect information from parents and teachers.  All of this data is then used to help provide the proper intervention or teaching techniques to help the child find success.  I am drawn to this organization because I have first-hand experience with them.  As a parent of a child with a language delay, I have gone through the process of having my child screened, determining his need and forming a team to address it.  While it was a wonderful experience at the beginning, my husband and I were very nervous.  We grew up in a time where special education had a very negative stigmatism.  The children in the resource room were teased mercilessly and called all kinds of horrible names.  When I think of how different things are now and how positive our experience was, I think the job that would most interest me would be one in public relations for the organization.  I would like to be able to take our story to the parents.  To let them know I understand their concerns and assure them that things are different now.  Sharing with parents that early intervention really is the best thing and helping them to find the courage to take the first step would be very rewarding for me. 

·         Washington Association for the Education of Young Children. (WAEYC)

Washington State requires each profession in the field of early care and education to obtain a number of continuing education hours annually.  WAEYC is the state’s version of the NAEYC, and as such, create and provide many of the seminars, trainings and conferences that make these continuing education hours available.  The position that is most intriguing to me would be conference committee.  Each of the conferences that WAEYC puts on every year has a variety of topics that address issues within the field.  There are classes that focus on administration, literacy, parent interactions, and art among other things.  Many of the classes I have attending over the years have been very good but as I have progressed I have found that the classes offered at these conferences haven’t necessarily kept pace with my professional development.  I would like to be a part of the committee to help bring a layering effect to the conferences as well as a variety of topics.  The idea of helping to design a program that will address a variety of needs by having a beginner, intermediate and advanced setting is really intriguing.

 

For each of these positions I would need an understanding of early care and education, team work and collaboration skills, the understanding of policy surrounding each organization, and a desire to help make a difference.