Farewell

Robin C. Miller                                                                                              EDUC – 6990

Week 8 - Final Blog

This Master’s Program has taught me many things. I am proud to say the three most important lessons that I am walking away with are…

          ·         Effective early childhood program practices quality care for the overall development of each individual child and their family.

          ·         Communication and collaboration is a necessity in the field of early childhood in order to create equity and partnership amongst teachers, parents, families, and other educational and non-educational professionals.

          ·         Advocacy is a tool that can be used to make a significant impact for such little people who otherwise would not be heard.

One long term goal that I have for myself is…

·                   To obtain my second Master’s Degree in Human Services specializing in Family Studies and Intervention. My overall goal is to open my own child care and advocacy center within the next 5 years.

A Farewell Message:

Dear Colleagues and Professors of Walden University, 

          I cannot express into words how much this experience has changed my life. I am forever grateful to all of you for the many comments, suggestions, words of encouragement, and hope that you all have given me. I am so saddened to be leaving that I am coming right back in the fall for another Master’s Degree Program in Human Services with a special in Family Studies and Intervention. If it was not for you I would not have found what I am so passionate about and what I my overall goal was as an educator. Thank you for all of the learning experiences, all of the support, and the many wonderful friendships and partnerships that I have built over my time here at Walden. If any of my professors or colleagues would like to contact me to keep in touch my email is rcmiller0606@gmail.com. 

Forever Learning,

Robin C. Miller

EDUC - 6990 Capstone Week 6

Robin Miller                                                                                              EDUC -6990

Blog Assignment-Week 6

Three international organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me are…

1.      Association for Childhood International – (http://www.acei.org/)

I chose this organization because their mission is to, “promote and support the optimal 

education, development, and well-being of children worldwide” (Association for Childhood Education International, 2011).

2.      Child Care Awareness of America – (http://childcareaware.org/)

I chose this organization because, "it is the national network of more than 700 child care resource and referral centers located in every state and most communities across the U.S. These centers help families, child care providers, and communities find, provide, and plan for affordable, quality child care”(Child Care Aware, 2014).

3.      National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) – (http://www.nbcdi.org/)

I chose this organization because, “For more than 40 years, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) has been at the forefront of engaging leaders, policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact Black children and their families. We are a trusted partner in delivering culturally relevant resources that respond to the unique strengths and needs of Black children around issues including early childhood education, health, child welfare, literacy, and family engagement” (National Black Child Development Institute, 2013).

These are a 2 more jobs that I am interested in and will be applying to…

1.     Blended Case Manager (Nonprofit Social Services) – (http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/jobs/jobdetails.aspx?Job_DID=JHL4R975G2YBBF2JPSZ&siteid=cb001&showNewJDP=yes&ipath=EXINDsep_google_feed%2cEXGOO)

a.      Job Responsibilities - As a Case Manager, you will be responsible for assisting individuals to make full use of Behavioral Health Services and natural community supports. The services you will provide will include developing a partnership with the individual to assess needs, obtaining services, and resolving crises. Through this partnership the individual and case manager will work together to plan, coordinate, monitor, and advocate for the services and supports needed to achieve the individual’s goals.

b.     Job Requirements - For the Case Manager role, we are seeking a dedicated and caring candidate who will advocate on behalf of individuals. When working with specialized populations such as young adults or individuals who speak another primary language, you must be able to stay abreast of age appropriate and/or culturally relevant services.

2.     Child and Family Advocate – Health Federation of Philadelphia (http://www.simplyhired.com/job/child-and-family-advocate-job/health-federation-of-philadelphia/53dcfwp6k2?cid=islxgiduyocdimqoprvgrimfumbpibbr)

a.     Job Responsibilities - Provide services to infants and toddlers and their families in their homes and at the community site. Caseloads will be 12 maximum. Primarily working as a member of the multidisciplinary team; assisting in the enrollment process; conducting assessments (d Provide services to infants and toddlers and their families in their homes and at the community site. Caseloads will be 12 maximum. Primarily working as a member of the multidisciplinary team; assisting in the enrollment process; conducting assessments (developmental, vision/hearing, nutrition); implementing curriculum during weekly home visits; facilitating parent-child socialization/play groups, and role modeling for parents.

b.     Job Requirements - Education requirement – Minimum of CDA; Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred. Experience – Working with infants and toddlers in home-based programs. Working with families at high levels of risk. Home visiting. Knowledge of service area.

References

Association for Childhood Education International. (2011).Bright futures for every child,   every nation. Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/

Child Care Aware. (2014). Americas most trusted child care resource. Retrieved from    http://childcareaware.org/

National Black Child Development Institute. (2013). Nbcdi initiatives. Retrieved from    http://www.nbcdi.org/