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

Children's Defense Fund 

The Children's Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization that appealed to me because they advocate for policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority. (Children's Defense Fund, 2011). The challenge that I chose to focus on over the course of this capstone project is "play". I am confident that the advocates who are apart of this organization can assist families, policymakers, program directors and educators with incorporating an adequate amount of inclusive and diverse play within early childhood environments. The Children's Defense Fund works to assist children at state, local, federal, and community levels.


 National Child Care Association 

The NCCA in conjunction with advocates and early childhood professionals work to generate information based upon our years of experience of best practice to deliver the highest quality along with what is most practical for its members. This organization consists of center-based providers, providers of professional development to the ECE community, business owners who provide goods and services, or student and individuals that have an interest in early care and education. They all compete for their clients, many times against each other. I chose this organization because they work collaboratively and effectively to support children and their families. 


Center on the Developing Child

The Center on the Developing Child is an organization that uses diverse activities to align with research and development, science-based innovation and policies that center around demanding change.  The Center on the Developing Child focuses on using researched based activities to improve early childhood settings because society pays a huge price when children do not reach their potential, because half a century of policies and programs have not produced breakthrough outcomes, and because dramatic advances in science are ready to be used to achieve a promising future for every child. This organization is very involved and dedicated when it comes to working towards creating innovation-friendly environments in which practitioners, researchers, policymakers, parents, and investors can come together to test new ideas, engage in active learning, and solve complex problems.


Job Title:

Client Services Coordinator for the Georgia Center for Childhood Advocacy 

Function: Represent the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy by projecting a professional, warm and helpful image to clients and their families, callers and visitors; and provide administrative, clerical and other necessary support for the Center and its programs. Position Responsibilities: • Receive visitors and clients in person and notify proper staff of the arrival. • Answer, screen and route incoming calls to the Center. • Screen visitors and callers while maintaining confidentiality and safety. • Become familiar with the Center’s services and with our community partners • Respond to general phone inquiries, provide accurate, helpful responses • Receive and deliver mail daily to the CEO or Office Manager, and sign for and accept deliveries, notifying proper person of the arrival. • Maintain the waiting room area (adult and child), keeping it organized, tidy and clean. • Watch over child or children in the waiting room when the child’s guardian is being interviewed by a staff member. • Assist in coordinating hospitality for all meetings at the Center, including board meetings, group therapy, case review meetings, trainings, and other meetings as needed. • Maintain and order supplies as needed, including basic office supplies, kitchen & housekeeping supplies, CD’s, and DVDs. • Open and/or close the Center each day, tending to alarm system, fresh coffee. • Maintain new client packages • Provide support to Office Manager as needed. • Other duties as assigned by Sr. Staff to meet the Center’s mission. Position requirements: ¨ Human Services Bachelor Degree background preferred. ¨ Flexible Work Hours ¨ Warm, outgoing personality, relating well to adults and children ¨ Ability to respond appropriately to changing work environment, with many interruptions and distractions ¨ Helpful attitude and professional phone manner ¨ Knowledge of standard office procedures ¨ Proficient skill in word processing ¨ Ability to organize, initiate, and attend to detail ¨ Willingness to work as part of the team for the betterment of the Center


References:

Center on the Developing Child (2011). Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/#building-an-r-and-d-platform

Children's Defense Fund. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.childrensdefense.org/about/#About

National Child Care. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nccanet.org/default.aspx