National Early Childhood Resources

High Scope (www.highscope.org)

High Scope is based in Michigan but serves the early childhood field nation-wide and around the world with resources, training and research. Their mission is to life lives through education; creating a world where all educational settings use active participatory learning so everyone has a chance to succeed in life and contribute to society.  I work extensively with their Program Quality Assessment tools for preschool, infant-toddler and family child care in Michigan’s quality initiative. There were several open positions on their website for positions in early childhood settings nationally and around the globe in such places as Shanghai, Beijing and Milan, Italy. The position that caught my eye however, was one for an early childhood specialist for a school district here in Michigan. It would require me to relocate downstate however. Another I found intriguing and may not require relocation was for a research associate. Personally, I think I would prefer being in charge of a study, responsible for the design and structure of it and overseeing its implementation. Though not listed, I would be interested in being a trainer for High Scope on the PQA tool as I am well experienced with it and training adults in the field.

The Center for the Child Care Workforce (CCW)- (www.ccw.org)

CCW’s mission is to improve the quality of early care and education for all children by promoting policy, research and organizing that ensure the early care and education workforce is well-educated, receives better compensation and a voice in their workplace. CCW believes that the front-lines workforce is needed at the decision-making table, providing input on structure, staffing and wages. Their aim is to value, respect and honor the voice of those who care for and educate these vitally important professionals. Visit the links portion of the website for dozens of valuable early childhood websites that share this vision for quality child care for all families. There were no job postings on this site but I would welcome a position with this organization as a contact in Michigan. Though the focus has been on quality, equitable and respectful decision-making to benefit child care teachers and providers has not been as extensive as it could, and should be. My skills in collaborative leadership and professional development would serve me well.  

Erikson Institute (www.erikson.edu)

Erikson is an independent institution of higher education that prepares child development and family service professionals for leadership through academic programs, applied research, and community service and engagement.  Erikson aims to improve our ability as practitioners, researchers and decision-makers to improve the life for children and families. They bring the latest scientific research and theories on child development and learning into the classroom and out in the community so that we can serve children and families more informed, inspired and responsive. There values include relationship-based education, a commitment to social justice, diversity, complexity and high standards and excellence. I was especially intrigued by their National Fussy Baby Network (http://www.erikson.edu/fussybaby/) as I thought it would be a fantastic resource for single parents, my capstone focus. Regarding job postings, the only one at this time was for an Early Childhood Program Services Coordinator for Cook County. As relocation is not ideal, I would instead like to pursue being the first affiliate in Michigan and even this portion of the country to offer these services to professionals and families.  It would cover all of the areas I am passionate about: Quality early childhood care and education, family support, and the development of the early childhood workforce through higher education.

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Michigan

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Michigan

Great Start of Michigan

http://greatstartforkids.org/

children. The vision of Great Start is to ensure that children birth to age 5, are safe, healthy and eager to succeed in school and life.  The mission is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist Michigan families in providing a great start for children birth to five.  Great Start is an interconnected and intertwined network of public and private supports and services assisting groups to accomplish goals appropriate to the needs of the community.  The five system components, or points on the star, are Family Support, Pediatric and Family Health, Social & Emotional Health, Parenting Leadership and Child Care & Early Learning. Within the statewide initiative, counties have unique Great Start Collaborative bodies through which local efforts are accomplished. If I were to have a position within this system it would be as a state-wide lead and trainer in the area of early care and education.  I greatly enjoy empowering early educators through training and resources.  Great Start is Michigan’s state-wide initiative fostering the school and life success of young

Great Start to Quality 

http://www.greatstarttoquality.org/

Great Start to Quality is dedicated to helping parents find the highest quality learning environment for their children and helps child care providers and educators improve the quality of the care they offer to young children. Within this system, I am connected with the quality work through validation and assessment of all licensed care and education settings. Networking with my fellow Quality Assessment Specialists around the state as well as with the Quality Consultants who coach and mentor site administrators and directors and owners, has been a resource of great personal and professional value. If I could have a position outside of my current one, it would be to eventually move up to be on the leadership council for this initiative. I would like to be within the group making the decisions for the Quality Rating and Improvement System. This wouldn’t require an additional training though, the valuable experiences I am gaining through the assessment work will help.

MiAEYC

http://miaeyc.org/

The Michigan Association of the Education of Young Children strives to improve the education and welfare of young children, birth to age eight. They serve and support young children, families and early childhood professionals. MiAEYC provides professional development to its membership via training, resources and services. There are over 2,800 members in over 20 affiliate and local chapters. MiAEYC has a particular interest in appropriate assessment, qualifications and training, center regulations, early literacy and universal Pre-K. Within MiAEYC is the Upper Peninsula chapter, UPAEYC. This group mainly works to provide larger annual training events in the U.P. I think it would be worthwhile to have community level subgroups to make it possible for providers to interact more regularly with peers and Master’s level mentors. This concept is something I have already begun inquiring about at the state level and I could see myself being a U.P. lead on this initiative. I would just need to know more specific information on the structure of local chapters.