Wednesday, May 28, 2014


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

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to prevent childhood obesity is a national organization dedicated to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by changing public policies and creating healthier environments in schools and communities.  This center helps to share and coordinate the efforts of policy makers, advocates and community organizations by identifying and promoting the most promising obesity preventing strategies and supporting the nationwide movement to improve food and physical activity environments.
It offers exciting opportunities in program development; communications; research evaluation earning, and positions in administration, finance and technology that are integral to our organization.  I am very passionate when it comes down to children and emotions.  I want to be able to make a difference in a child’s life and let them know that everyone deserves a chance.
Even though I did not see any job openings, it was stated that they provide competitive salaries, a collegial work environment, and an excellent benefits and wellness package that reflect our mission and goals.

Obesity Action Coalition
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a nearly 50,000 member-strong and a National non-profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to the individual affected by the disease of obesity and helping individuals along their journey toward better health through education, advocacy and support. Their core focuses are to raise awareness and improve access to the prevention and treatment of obesity, provide evidence-based education on obesity and its treatments, fight to eliminate weight bias and discrimination, elevate the conversation of weight and its impact on health and offer a community of support for the individual affected. I choose this organization because it support my challenge in fighting children that are obese and giving them a chance to live longer and eat healthier.
Weight Bias Committee
The weight bias committee will focus on identifying weight bias in the general public and engaging the OAC constituency in combating bias through various OAC-based tactics. They will also work closely with the public relations and education committees on developing, producing and distributing resources on weight bias to educate the general public. The committee will work with various partners on furthering the committee’s understanding of weight bias and stigma and how it affects the population at large.  I would love to work on this committee, because work close with other committees and also the public.  Obesity is a problem and it continues to grow and grow and without a voice, it will continue to grow. Our children need to be educated about the importance of eating healthy and exercising; let’s get away from the computer games and the snacks for a while. 
Let’s Move
Let’s Move! Is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Sure, this is an ambitious goal. But with your help, we can do it.
Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.


 

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: 
                 Local and State Levels

Department of Mental Health in Mississippi
Mission: Supporting a better tomorrow by making a difference in the lives of Mississippians with mental illness, substance abuse problems and intellectual/developmental disabilities one person at a time.
Vision:  We envision a better tomorrow where the lives of Mississippians are enriched through a public mental health system that promotes excellence in the provision of services and supports.
I chose Mental Health because I worked there for many years and have seen children on their good and bad behavior days.  I want to be able to experience dealing with children that has a mental health diagnose in the school system.  This organization offers many job opportunities and having to move to find the right job title is not on my list at the moment.  There are many job openings that causes for a BS in Social Work.

 

Mississippi Department of Education
Mission:  to provide leadership through the development of policy and accountability systems so that our students are prepared to compete in a global community.
Vision:  to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens.
Provides resources and technical support to Mississippi’s public school system. The department also functions as a resource for federal education requirements and funding. I want to be able to ensure a bright future for every child I come in contact with and make my dream a reality.  Many schools in my surroundings are in need for teachers, teachers that are concern about their students and want to see them succeed.  In order to fulfill this position you have to obtain a standard certification and licensure.


Mississippi Head Start Association
Mission:  to provide the state’s children and families with a range of individualized services in the areas of education, early childhood development, medical, dental, mental health, nutrition and parent involvement.
I would love to give the children an opportunity to explore the world around them.  Some children don’t get the chance to go to Head Start, this is really a starting point before transitioning into Kindergarten.  We need to continue to encourage our children about turn-taking and sharing and this builds their skills when advancing into society.  I would love also to be a teacher at a local Head Start center, but there are not jobs available at the moment.  I would need to have a Bachelor degree in Education in order to work at this Head Start center.


http://www.msheadstart.org/