Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

"Quality child care has become a major concern in our society today. Parents, businesses, and child care providers must face the dilemma of how to find, or provide, the best possible care for children.
 

In response to that need, the YWCA Child Care Solutions was founded in 1991 to provide child care referrals and consumer education to parents, offer training opportunities and technical assistance to child care providers, work to develop new child care options and assist employers in meeting their employees’ child care needs.
 

Whatever your interest in quality child care, YWCA Child Care Solutions works to build a quality child care system that support the needs of working families and their child care providers." (YWCA, nd)

I decided to use the YWCA of Rockford as one of my organizations to share because I believe that they are providing a great service to the Rockford area. Professionals are given resources and training opportunities for professional development.  Because of their contributions many children have gained access to quality care and education.  

 Employment Oppurtunity:

QUALITY RATING SYSTEM SPECIALIST
Shall be at least 25 years of age, have high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED), AND have achieved: 

 a) Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field (Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child Psychology/Behavioral Sciences, Family Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Elementary Education, Child Welfare, Family Services)
 b) Minimum two (2) years experience in a child care setting as a family child care provider, center based administrator, center-based teacher or teacher assistant or Illinois Preschool for All teacher 
 c) Shall be an Approved Trainer for the Gateways to Opportunity Registry within six (6) months of employment 
d) Shall complete the following training within 18 months of employment: ITERS-R, ECERS-R, SACERS, PAS and BAS Excellent written and oral communication and tactful interpersonal skills required.  
e)Valid Driver License.

http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=nwL0KjN1LvH&b=4865299

 The second organization that I decided to share is Voices for Illinois Children.  I decided to share this organization because I have worked with them in the past and I value their commitment to young children and families.  This organization focuses on birth to 8, education, family economic security, fiscal policy, and many other areas directly affecting children and families.

  "Voices for Illinois Children champions the full development of every child in Illinois to assure the future well-being of everyone in the state. We work with families, communities, and policymakers across multiple issue areas to help children grow up healthy, happy, safe, loved, and well-educated."

Employment Oppurtunity:
Unfortunately this organization did not have any employment oppurtunities that I am qualified for.  However, I have taken the initiative to sign up for updates so that I can actively participate with the policy action center.

 http://www.voices4kids.org/

 

The last organization that I decided to share is the Illinois State Board of Education.  I decided to share this organization because of their compilation of resources and information.  ISBE, supports and focuses on all children and members of their educational community.   This website provides educators, and families with information on policies, grant opportunities, policies, learning and development standards, and much more.   
 
Employment Opportunity:

Principal Consultant (Title Grant Administration Division)

Education Requirements:

Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree plus two years of relevant professional experience. Master’s Degree in Education preferred; specialization in policy analysis, program evaluation, assessment, budgets, grants management, business and/or staff development preferred.

 

Experience and Skills:

Two years of experience (in addition to education requirements) working as a teacher, as an administrator, or in a consulting capacity; experience in the delivery of professional development; experience with budgets.  Ability to implement grant funded programs; basic computer knowledge; ability to develop and manage budgets; ability to present complex information to lay and professional audiences effectively in formal and informal settings; ability to work effectively with and within diverse teams; ability to identify and locate resources; knowledge of working with NCLB law and grants relating to NCLB; ability to define problems and apply problem solving techniques; ability to coordinate projects; ability to set schedules and timelines; highly effective communication skills, especially in writing and in speaking to a wide range of groups. Knowledge about strategic planning, research methodologies, organizational development and/or adult learning preferred.

 http://www.isbe.state.il.us/default.htm