This week in class we had to find at least three local or state organizations or communities of practice that appealed to you, and explain why you chose them, job opportunities that they offer, and the skills and experiences that I would need in those jobs.
The Village family service center https://www.thevillagefamily.org is a great center that helps families and children in North Dakota. They have programs that help pregnant women, they offer counseling, they have the Big Brother Big Sister program. They also have a program that is mostly based in the Fargo/Moorhead area. It is the Nokomis II Child Care Center. I think the Big Brother Big Sister program would be a great program to participate in. If you are a responsible adult who cares about the well being of children and want to be a positive role model in a child’s life. It would be a great experience. Another place I would like to work at is the Nokomis II Child Care Center. I have actually considered moving to Fargo so if I ever do this would be a great place t work. “...looking for a remarkable individual to be a lead pre-toddler teacher. An Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred, along with experience in child care” (https://www.thevillagefamily.org). At this center they are looking for families who need a little extra help. “Priority enrollment is given to children with developmental delays, behavioral challenges, or financial obstacles” (https://www.thevillagefamily.org). I would love to put what I have learned into a program like this.
PATH in North Dakota (http://www.pathnd.org) is another great program that supports families and children. They help families with adoption, families dealing with foster care, counseling, and families dealing with mental health issues. Some positions that are available are SAFE Foster parents and CARE parents. In these roles you provide a place to live for the child and round the clock care. A place for children to calm down and re-focus so they can get a new start to their day. Again a background in child care and development would be very beneficial in these positions.
A final program is the MInot Infant Developmnet Program (http://www.ndcpd.org/midp/ ). This program provides Early Intervention services from Birth to Three. “If a child's developmental delays are identified early, appropriate intervention can help to build a strong foundation to insure maximum development of potential as a child grows” (http://www.ndcpd.org/midp/ ). Sevice is provided by “Specialists in the area of :Cognitive Development, Speech and Language, Audiology, Fine Motor Skills, Gross Motor Skills, Nutrition, and Social-Emotional” (http://www.ndcpd.org/midp/ ). “The Minot Infant Development Program assists parents in finding information, locating services, and working with their children on specific learning needs. Nearly all the training is done in the child's natural environment, his own home” (http://www.ndcpd.org/midp/ ). My background in Early Childhood Education would be a great benefit to me for this program. I would be able to help parents and children with what I have learned.
These programs all stand out to me because of the great things that they do for families and children. I would love to be able to work in one of these programs and be able to educate children and families and provided support.
References:
MInot Infant Development Program, http://www.ndcpd.org/midp/ retrieved on January 17, 2015.
PATH Treatment Foster Care and Family-Based Services, http://www.pathnd.org retrieved on January 17, 2015.
The Village Family Service Center https://www.thevillagefamily.org retrieved on January 17, 2015.
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about the organizations and opportunities you explored in your town and state. Once again I find we have similar interests as you had shared about participating with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization as I had also listed. I have always been passionate about the mission of this organization and wanted to give back in this capacity. Considering that both of us are currently teaching in the classroom, would you be willing in the future to move towards working part time in one of these positions while teaching full time or simply moving in this direction full time? I cannot envision myself out of the classroom fully yet, but I am considering a part-time position to some extent. Curious to hear your thoughts. :)
Ashley Richards
I love reading about organizations that work for the whole family as I have seen far too often a child gets help that they need be it counselling or counseling along with medication but the families have no clue what to do to help the child.
ReplyDeleteOnce such case were an organization like PATH would have been helpful was about two years ago there was a child that was diagnosed with Asperger’s now they were able to get help for the child but the family had no clue how to work with the child or even what the diagnosis meant for them, their family or the child at all therefore with a lot research in order for this family to get they much needed help that they need they now drive one hour one way once a week to get information, group counseling sessions on how to work with the child and individual counseling in which they can ask questions to issues that they may be dealing with. To get to this point took a lot of frustration and it would have been so nice to have a resource within my community I could have given them the information for.
Nice post
Mary Harr
Hi Rachael
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful organizations that you have chosen. I enjoy working with organizations that seek to help both the children and the families. I really feel that we need more organizations such as this in each state. They offer so many resources and programs that assist family and many of the needs that they require.
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your insights on the organizations in your state. I always find it fascinating to hear about what other states are doing for infants and toddlers. I was drawn to your third organization the MInot Infant Development Program. I appreciated the information and it was thrilling to know that infants receive services right in their home where they are most comfortable and parents can be involved. Thank you for sharing!
Emily~