Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three organizations with community of practice that I choose are Horizon for Homeless Children, Bright Horizons and Harlem Children’s Zone.

I chose Horizon for Homeless Children because they explained why it is important to care for homeless children. Homeless children often experience stress and trauma from loss of relationships, multiple moves, and exposure to domestic violence. Homeless children are more likely to have two times learning disabilities, three times emotional and behavioral problems, and eight times to be asked to repeat a grade. Early education can reduce the effects of stress and trauma and ensure future school success. Horizon provides early education, opportunities for play, family support services; they are improving the lives of young homeless children and their families. Our communities need to give the homeless a chance to learn, play, and thrive (www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org).

The Harlem Children’s Zone( HCZ) inspired me because they provide a unique, holistic approach to rebuilding a community so that its children can stay on track through college and go on to the job market. The network comprises of early care, after school, social-services, health and community-building programs (dancing (kunfu), painting, cultural awareness of diversity, reading, farming, sports (running and cycling) and chess). HCZ  strengthens families as well as empowers them to impact their children’s development. For children to do well their families have to do well, for families to do well, their communities must do well. HCZ  provides its services and programs free of charge to children and their families (www.hcz.org).

I chose Bright Horizons’ focus on solutions that help employers and employees to live and work their best (www.brighthorizons.com). When an organization produces high level of well being for the members then they will deliver their performance and be sustained better. People whose lives are well managed at home are more successful at work.

The job opportunity that is available at Horizon for Homeless Children is Director of Policy and Advocacy and the qualification for the job are Bachelor’s degree (required), relevant Master’s preferred, minimum of 5 years of experience in public policy, legislative affairs or government relations, Knowledge of the state budget-making and legislative process in MA. Established relationships with MA legislators, government officials and staff (preferred), Demonstrated effectiveness at building consensus, collaborating, and convening multiple partners in efforts that produce specific  deliverables, the passion to advocate and speak-up for those who have no voice, willingness to register as an executive and legislative lobbyist in the State of Massachusetts, and comply with all reporting requirements and others  (www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org).

The job opportunity at Harlem Children’s Zone is Community Organizer, Community Pride and the requirements for the job are A commitment to the mission and programs of HCZ, Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of experience in community organizing and/or advocacy; event planning and coordination, extensive experience performing community outreach and mobilization, experience advising and training community leaders, passionate about improving the lives of Harlem residents and their families, must be a team player and have the ability to take the initiative, great organization skills and have a keen sense of detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook, and Must have a flexible schedule, including working evenings and occasional weekends (www.hcz.org).

                The job opportunity available from Bright Horizons is Provider Network Account manager and the requirements to do the job are bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience, is preferred, provider relations or network management experience is required, a background in healthcare, research & referral, or another network management industry is strongly preferred, the ability to manage a small team and lead by example, willingness to travel (10-25%) is required as well, excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent phone manner, experience with problem resolution and vendor negotiations preferred, proficient in basic Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), general knowledge of the Internet (used to source recruitment leads), effective interpersonal and management skills, ability to work individually and in a team environment, ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, and strong organizational, and time management skills as well as attention to detail (www.brighthorizons.com).

  

References

Horizon for Homeless Children www.horizonforhomelesschildren.org

Harlem Children’s Zone www.hcz.org

Bright Horizons www.brighthorizons.com