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.

http://www.dmh.ms.gov/who-we-are/psychiatric-hospitals/

 

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.

http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/mde-home

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/