National & Federal Organizations

National/Federal Organizations

There are so many national, and Federal organizations that almost anyone of them can be chosen when looking for helping children and their families in any area of need.

The first organization that captured my attention is:

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), is devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children at risk of poor educational, economic, social, and health outcomes. The organization focuses on “strengthening families, building stronger communities and ensuring access to opportunity because children need all three, and they advanced research to overcome barriers to success, help communities demonstrate what works and influence decision makers to invest in strategies based on solid evidence” (AECF).

This organization make grants that help Federal agencies, State, Countries, Cities, and Neighborhoods creates cost effective responses to the issues that negatively affect children; such as, poverty, unnecessary disconnection from family and communities with limited access to opportunity” (AECF). According to AECF, since 1948 the efforts, policies, and practices proved positive results for kids and their families.  

According to AECF, there are “strong evidence that show that reading proficiently by the end of third grade is a key predictor of high school graduation and career success; yet, every year, more than 80% of children from low-income families miss this crucial mile-stone”.

Because some children struggle with reading, and may not be proficient by the third grade, this organization has a campaign for grade level reading. The organization believes in the improvement of school readiness, attendance, and summer learning. In addition, “half of the school achievement gap between rich kids and poor kids start before kindergarten” (AECF).

This organization works to address the readiness gap that causes way too many children to get left behind as students and as adults once they have grown up. This organization shares the best ideas in research, guides, and references with parents, schools, and communities through the campaign website in order that may stay informed.

Job Opportunities, are seen as the field of Philanthropy, and the team is made up of research leaders, experienced practitioners, community organizers and policy experts. According to the AECF, those with careers in grant making, public-sector innovation, leadership development and administrative support, people with different racial backgrounds, ethnicities, gender, age, and points of view contributes more effectively to this organization.

Currently available jobs are, for Program Assistant: Child Welfare Strategy Group, Program Assistant, Senior Associate: Family Economic Success, and Community Associate.

The second organization that interest me:

Child Focus: Connecting People, Programs, & Policy

 Social Work. Law, Policy, & Philanthropy, a National Counseling Firm that bring people, programs, and policies that help non-profit organizations, foundations, and government agencies support America’s children and families. They have a passion for social justice and practical solutions. This organization translate federal policy development for state and local programs and promote community innovations, to federal and state policy makers.

·         This organization ensures that policy is informed by the voices of children youth, and families.

·         Helps government and non-profit organizations with effective policy implementation.

·         Analyze and simplify complex federal and state policy issues.

·         Children in Kinship Care Experience Improved placement stability, higher levels of stability, and decrease behavioral programs.

·         Building financial capabilities for youth transitioning from foster care.

And so many more areas of aiding children and families that the organizations information all coincide one with the other.

The third organization is:

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP): Putting Research to work for Children & Families

The NCCP is the Nation’s leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security health & well-being of America’s low- income families and children. Founded in 1989 as a division of the mailmen school of public health at Columbia University NCCP is a Non-Partisan public interest research organization. According to NCCP, that, at least “22% of children in the US live in families that, are considered officially poor; and that, across the states, official child poverty rates range from 11% in New Hampshire to 32% in Mississippi”.

This organization looks out for adolescent health & youth development, child poverty, children’s mental health, early care & learning.

The organization’s vision is for family economic security, strong nurturing families, and a healthy child development. According to NCCP, “45 percent of our nation’s children are growing up in families who are living at the edge”, even with working parents.

References

www.aecf.org

www.childfocuspartners.com

www.nccp.org.

  

Exploring Roles in the ECE Field: Local & State Levels

Exploring Roles in the ECE Field: Local & State Levels

Because I’m attempting to explore how we can have a center, or programs in place that addresses the needs of the whole child as we seek to aid the healthy development of a child’s well-being, I chose to take a closer look at (CASA), which means Court Appointed Special Advocacy. I learned about CASA when I worked for a short time as a CPS, Child Protective Services Conservatorship Worker. During my training, I saw CASA at our office in meetings with family members of children who were removed from their family home because it was deemed unsafe for the child to continue living there, and I also saw CASA in every court hearing standing up for children. In each case heard in court someone from CASA was there participating in the case because a CASA worker, or volunteer speaks up for that child in order to help the child find safety and happiness in his/her life. These cases were determining decisions for the permanent removal of the child, or children of the case, or safe placements for the child, or children of that particular case.

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc. (CACTX)

CACTX, was founded in 1994 and had 13 local centers, but today it had 69 established centers. They believe in the power of collective voices for a successful change that will have an impact in the lives of children who are scared victims of abuse and violence. They believe that “the eradication of child abuse and neglect in our society begins with building informed empowered communities that stand ready to embrace this issue with courage, making it top priority”. The “heart of their mission is the commitment to support the sustainability of local children’s advocacy centers so that they may continue to help young victims rebuild their lives”.

Organizations I’d like to work for are:

Texas Children’s Hospital: Bereavement Coordinator- Palliative Care Services, as I understand it this position allows you to be in the place of the arrangements of a child’s hospital stay who may be in a Hospice type of stay, and consoling family members after the unfortunate death of a child while in the hospital etc.

Texas Children’s Hospital: Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator- Child Play Life Therapy Department: Child Life Play Therapy, children to gain a sense of mastery offering play and learning experiences, and encourages family and peer interactions through animal assisted therapy. Supports the emotional developmental and social needs of children in care offering play & learning experiences.

References

www.cactx.org/children’sadvocacycentersoftexas

www.texascasa.org/volunteer    

Exploring Rolls in the ECE Community: State and Local Levels

Children’s Advocacy Centers™ of Texas, Inc. (CACTX) is the statewide membership association representing all local children’s advocacy centers in the Lone Star state.

Founded in 1994 with a membership of 13 local centers, today the CACTX membership roster includes 69 developing and established centers in large urban cities as well as in small rural communities.

Our membership reflects the vast diversity of Texas, all with their own unique approaches to fulfilling our shared mission of protecting and providing for children.

CACTX offices are located in the Beth C. Swalm Center in Austin, Texas, adjacent to the CACTX Conference Center where specialized CAC training's are offered throughout each year.

Mission

 At the heart of our mission is a commitment to support the sustainability of local children’s advocacy centers so that they may continue to help young victims rebuild their lives.

CACTX has Six core priorities of their services

Membership Services:

We believe access to strong, local CACs will provide young victims with the unique services they need to begin their journey to hope, justice and healing.

Evaluation and Assessment:

We believe ongoing success in the fight against child abuse requires continual evaluation of current efforts and exploration of new, more effective ways to do this work.

Collaboration:

We believe that information sharing and networking is critical to innovation in the child abuse field.

Advocacy:

We believe in the power of a collective voice to successfully effectuate systemic change that will impact the lives of children scarred by violence and abuse.

Community Awareness:

We believe that the eradication of child abuse from our society begins with building informed; empowered communities that stand ready to embrace this issue with courage, making it a top priority.

Funding:

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to support the sustainability of local children's advocacy centers so that they may continue to help young victims rebuild their lives.

Texas Alliance of Child & Family Services: A Voice for Children

Our Mission

Strengthening Services to Children and Families through Quality Care and Advocacy

Strengthening Services...
The Alliance seeks to ensure that services are adequately funded, correctly regulated, properly monitored and of the highest quality possible.

to Children and Families...
Alliance member agencies focus primarily on children and families who are at risk for serious problems, children who have been victimized by abuse and neglect, families dealing with low income, loss of jobs, domestic violence, drug and alcohol and mental illness.

Some Alliance members place children in adoptive homes including infants, special needs children and children adopted internationally.

through Quality Care...
Alliance members care about quality. The Alliance seeks to provide service and support to help agencies provide the highest quality, state of the art services to children and families.

and Advocacy.
Since its inception, the Alliance has focused policy and law makers on the needs of abused, neglected, and high risk children. The Alliance provides a continual presence in Austin, both in state office and the capitol. The Alliance formulates policy positions based on members' extensive experiences working with children and seeks to advance an agenda that protects the rights of children and insures that funding is adequate to meet each child's needs.

Our History

Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services (Texas Alliance) was founded in 1975 as the Texas Association of Licensed Children's Services by a group of child care and adoption agency directors with the primary purpose of strengthening Texas' child care laws. The Association quickly became known as a strong advocate for responsible legislation concerning children's well-being and established a formidable position within the legislative arena.

In 1998, the Association instituted a reorganization and took on a new name, Texas Association of Leaders in Children and Family Services, to transition into their new organizational structure. Through reorganization, the Alliance broadened its membership and created an even larger presence in Texas.

With the completion of reorganization, the current name, Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, was adopted and remains as the symbol of what the Association represents. With the Texas Alliance at the forefront of change, Texas child care laws have dramatically improved. Through the leadership of the Alliance, child care laws have been strengthened, funding for children's services has increased, and innovations in service delivery have been introduced and refined.
Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services member agencies realize how much can be accomplished through mutual assistance and cooperation. Additionally, the Texas Alliance now provides stronger services for member agencies on behalf of the children and families who receive their care.
Over the years, as our reputation has grown, Texas Alliance has evolved into the premier association for professionals and organizations serving vulnerable children and families in Texas.

TEXAS CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates

EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CHANCE – IT’S YOU.

By becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA volunteer, you can help keep abused and neglected children safe, giving them a chance at finding happiness.

CASA volunteers are individuals from all walks of life who speak up for a child’s best interests in court. You are not a foster parent; you are a voice making a real difference at a critical turning point in the child’s life.

WHAT DO CASA VOLUNTEERS DO?

CASA volunteers get to know the child and gather information from everyone involved in his or her daily life, including family members, foster parents, teachers, daycare providers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and other relevant persons. You spend a significant amount of time with the child, gaining his or her trust.

CASA volunteers use the information gathered to report to the judge, advocating for the child’s needs while in the foster care system. As a volunteer, you commit to represent a child’s best interests until the child reaches a safe, permanent home.

TO BECOME A CASA VOLUNTEER MEANS YOU ARE:

·         Willing to commit at least one year of your time

·         Able to effectively communicate orally and in writing

·         Willing to participate in an in-depth training program

·         Able to pass criminal and CPS history background checks

·         Over age 21

Organizations I’d like to work for

Texas Children’s Hospital: Bereavement Coordinator- Palliative Care Services, as I understand it this position allows you to be in place of the arrangements of a child’s hospital stay who maybe in a Hospice type of stay, and consoling family members after the unfortunate death of a child while in hospital stay, etc.

Texas Children’s Hospital: Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator- Child Life Play Therapy Department: Child Life Play Therapy, children to gain a sense of mastery offering play and learning experiences, and encourages family and peer interaction through animal assisted therapy. Supports the emotional developmental and social needs of children in care offering play & learning experiences.

References

www.cactx.org/children’sadvocacycentersoftexas

www.texascasa.org/volunteer