Sharing Web Resources Part 2:

At the beginning of the course I chose the site National Head Start Association. This week we were asked to expand our knowledge of the organization.

Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

When searching the website none of the links I found go offsite. I did learn that Head Start got an increase in federal funding. The $610 million increase will give children the opportunity for a head start. “This increase will mean that programs can better support teachers and staff, more children will have access to full-day, full-year early child education, and more infants and toddlers will start off life with the Head Start advantage” (National Head Start Association).

The negotiated omnibus FY 2018 appropriations bill released late Wednesday night includes $9.853 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, a $610 million increase over FY 2017 funding. The bill includes:

·         $216 million for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Head Start staff (approximately a 2.2% increase, which is in line with inflation)

·         $260 million for partial day, partial-year programs to extend the duration of their services to better meet the needs of working families

·         $755 million for Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnerships (a $115 million increase over FY 2017).

Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

I chose The Dollar Per Child campaign. The Dollar Per Child campaign is NHSA annual fundraiser that helps us ensure millions of children and families are represented in Washington, D.C. The DPC is the main funding for Head Start advocates. Head Start provides children with an opportunity. Through Dollar per Child (DPC), NHSA ensures that the voices of these at-risk children and their families are heard. You can make donations through their website or by sending checks.

If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?

I have not gotten a newsletter as of yet.

Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

“Head Start supports families facing difficult circumstances and seeks to mitigate obstacles to learning in the early years” (National Head Start Association). The Head Start program main focus is to help families and children from low-income families. The program provides education for children to grow. It also provides health services to children. Parent Involvement is a big in the Head Start program. They serve on the policy council and volunteer in the classroom and also participate in classes and workshops.

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

I learned that if you are an alumni or if your child attended the Head Start program you can join a campaign to encourage former Head Start children and parents to identify themselves. They can share their experience with other former members. They will also have opportunities for professional growth.

Reference:

National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/

Week 5 Blog Assignment

The Global Children’s Initiative is a non-profit organization which is part of the Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child. The center reaches out to all children even worldwide. They especially reach out to those that are at risk of health and development issues that are due to poverty. “Many children fail to reach their full developmental potential by age 5” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). The center reaches out to different policy makers in other countries to do research on early childhood and how it is important to every child’s development.

The insights or ideas I gained:

1.  There are many people like educators, researchers  and politicians that are working together to improve the early childhood field around the world. When it comes to child development quality childcare is important.

2.  The center reaches out to organizations to help children that may experience a disaster. The center encourages these organizations to work with these children for a large amount of time. This will give children and families enough time to get pass it.

3.  The center works with other countries like Brazil, Canada and Mexico. “In Brazil the partnership has been successful in creating a science driven early childhood movement” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). “In Canada the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative counter the separation between science, policy and practice work” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). AFWI is seeking to close the gap in “what we know” in science and “what we do”  and policy and practice (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). In Mexico the “Latin American Innovation clusters connect with the center to enhance child outcomes through adult capacity building” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). The center works with these countries to improve young children’s condition.

Reference:

The Center on the Developing Child, (2018). Retrieved from   (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/) on April 7, 2018.

Sharing Web Resources

For the past couple weeks I have been learning about the Children Defense Fund. I have learned some very interesting things. The Children Defense Fund as a program called the Student Health Outreach. This program helps graduates and undergraduates to train in community services such as insurance and health care for families and children. This can help with my professional development because I can get a chance to move up and be a speaker and advocate for these families not only in the classroom but other places as well.

I know poverty is huge around the world but after looking at resources like the Children Defense Fund it is help out there. As professionals we need to help our families to find these resources and let them know there are programs and organizations that can help. Parents may not have access to this resources so that is when we step in to help. We must be that voice for our children.

The Children’s Defense Fund works with many children to help them out of poverty and protect them from abuse and neglect. “The Children's Defense Fund has challenged the United States to raise its standards by improving policies and programs for children” (Children Defense Fund, 2010). “Over the years, they have become known for careful research on children’s survival, protection and development in all racial and income groups and for independent analyses of how federal and state policies affect children, their families and their communities. We let the public know how effectively their elected officials stand up for children” (Children Defense Fund, 2010).

Reference:

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/endingchildpoverty/  

Getting to Know International Organizations

For my blog this week I will continue to talk about The Children’s Defense Fund. “The Children Defense Fund is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for more than  40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children” (Children Defense Fund). They help children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect, make sure they have health care and quality education.

I learned that the founder Marian Wright Edelman worked with Martin Luther King as counsel for Poor People’s Campaign. In her career she fought for the people that were struggling with poverty and discrimination to help them over come it.

One insight I gained was in “2015 more than 14.5 million children in America were poor, two thirds in working families” (Children Defense Fund). In 2017 the census reported child poverty is at its record high in the United States children under the age of 6 are the poorest.

Reference:

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/endingchildpoverty/  

Sharing Web Resources

The National Head Start Association is a nonprofit organization that believes every child has a chance in life. “NHSA mission is to coalesce, inspire and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and educated” (National Head Start Association). Head Start helps the families as a whole. When the families are helped it helps our community. The association has protected the most vulnerable children. It encourages parents to be more involved and engaged in their child’s life, education and the community as well. NHSA guides , accept and encourage families in their daily struggles. Families are helped to find services and jobs while their children is in a safe learning environment.

In 2002 to strengthen and keep families together NHSA came up with the National Native American Heritage Month. “The goal is to keep families together by connecting parents to their cultural heritage and traditions, connecting with past generations in order to bring purpose and direction to future generations” (National Head Start Association). In November 2017 the NHSA held a night were families sang songs, dance had certain animals and children were allowed to do art about their culture. This keeps families in contact with their heritage and culture.

Reference:

National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/

 

Getting Ready Expanding Horizons and Expanding Resources

I could not access the World Forum Podcast so I decided to go with Save the Children website. This organization helps children in other countries that suffer from poverty and hunger. “Save the children believes every child deserves a future” (www.) I really like this organization because it not only helps children in the US but children all around the world. As an educator I know the children are our future. With organizations like Save the Children will give children the future they deserve. We see how children live in poverty, not getting the proper education, victim to violence, abused and abandon, Save the Children organization raises funds to support our children and change their lives so they can have a future.

I chose The National Head Start Association because I work for a Head Start program and have for a long time. “Head Start is the national commitment to give every child an opportunity to succeed in school and in life” (National Head Start Association). I have seen many children and families benefit from the Head Start program. The Head Start program meets the need of each child they serve. The Head Start Program helps families to overcome the negative effects of poverty.

Even though I have worked for a Head Start program for many years I still want to know more about NHSA. I know within the next 7 weeks I will get to know more about NHSA. I want to do some research on their history, how they impact children and families and how to get involved.

Reference

National Head Start Association   http://www.nhsa.org/

Save the Children: A US based non-profit organization working on behalf of children worldwide http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

When I Think of Child Development

The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn

By:

Maria Montessori

I would like to tell my classmates thanks for a wonderful 8 weeks. I have learned so much from you guys and Professor Nagel as well. All you guys have made me realize I was not alone. It was great reading your blogs and learning about a lot of different things. Good luck to you guys on completing the rest of your journey here at Walden. I hope to see you guys in future classes.