Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

One organization that appeal to me is Illinois Action for Children. I am familiar with this organization because this is one of the main go to for every low income family in Chicago. They have an abundant of resources for families. They have day care centers all over the city and they help provide funding for child care for needy families. "Our work is to ensure that every child in Illinois — particularly those in need — have access to the resources to succeed in school and in life. Since our founding in 1969, Illinois Action for Children has worked to create systems of early care and education that help strengthen families and communities" (www.actforchildren.org). I chose this organization because I like the work that they do for children. They are all about advocacy for children and that is something that I love and I would love being apart of an organization like that.

A job opportunity that appealed to me is an Early Learning Teaching Coach. The Teacher/Coach supervises Illinois Action for Children teachers at assigned Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative sites, serves as a professional coach to those teachers, interprets Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative program requirements and best professional practices to site administrators, and monitors program compliance.

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required.

Master’s degree preferred.

At least 2 years’ experience as an early childhood teacher or coach.

At least one year of supervisory experience.

State Early Childhood Education certification and/or Infant Toddler Studies or other related credential preferred.

Another organization that I would love to work for is DCFS. DCFS is the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. "The mission of Illinois DCFS is to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected and to increase their families' capacity to safely care for them; provide for the well-being of children in our care; provide appropriate, permanent families as quickly as possible for those children who cannot safely return home; support early intervention and child abuse prevention activities and work in partnerships with communities to fulfill this mission" (www.Illinois.gov). I chose this organization because I always wanted to work for DCFS. I feel that a lot of children are being taking from their homes for unnecessary reason. And some are staying in the homes where they need to be taking out. I would love to help those children and families in need. 

One job opening that that I seen on their website is Child Protection Specialist. Under direction of the team supervisor, receives and investigates reports of physical and sexual abuse and neglect reported by mandated and other sources; assesses immediate safety and risk factors of involved children and takes necessary protection action; makes recommendations about investigative findings; implements short-term services, including concrete services directly or through family advocates; on a rotating basis, assigned to 24 hour “on call” duty in addition to normal assignments, to ensure that services are provided as mandated by statute and policy.

Preferably requires a master’s degree in social work and two years of directly related professional experience; or requires a master’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and two years of directly related professional experience; or requires a bachelor’s degree in social work and four years of directly related professional experience; or requires a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and four years of directly related professional experience; requires possession of a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance; requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties; requires ability to serve on 24 hour “on call” duty.

The last organization that appealed to me is CASA. "The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive"(www.casaforchildren.org). I am already a volunteer for Illinois CASA, but I would love to work for them.

A job opening that I seen on their website is an Advocate Coordinator. The Advocate Coordinator is responsible to provide coaching and support to no more than 30 CASA volunteers under the direct supervision of a Program Director to ensure that the program’s clients receive quality advocacy. Advocate Coordinators will provide motivation, empowerment, guidance, and supervision to enhance program quality and improve volunteer retention, allowing CASA of Garland, Hot Spring, and Grant Counties to expand and serve more young people over the long term.
Advocate Coordinators will need dependable transportation. The majority of work hours will be spent in an office or courtroom setting, so extended periods of sitting and some walking to and from court may be required. Advocate Coordinators should be able to lift up to 25 pounds and be comfortable working in a team environment. At times, Advocate Coordinators may be asked to make home visits or visits at group homes or other facilities which may occasionally present uncomfortable environments or interactions.

www.actforchildren.org
www.casaforchildren.org
www.Illinois.gov