This week we explore national organizations and federal agencies that appeal to
you and why you chose them. Also job opportunities that are of interest and
skills and experience needed to competently fulfill the roles.
The Administration for Children and Family Services
Department of Health and Human Services is an organization that empowers
families and individuals to increase their economic independence and
productivity, encourages strong, healthy, supportive communities that have a
positive impact on quality of life and the development of children. This
organization was of interest due to they are an organization who is about
helping the whole family looking out for their best interest as a whole.
Their Vision children, youth, families, individuals
and communities who are resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure
Mission is to foster health and well-being by
providing federal leadership, partnership and resources for the compassionate
and effective delivery of human services
There is a position available Program Specialist in
the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS)
–this position was of interest to me due to it is in the Office of the Head
Start and I really want to eventually be in the Head Start program. I think
this is where I would be able to learn and grow in early childhood development.
Skills needed in this field you would need to be able to provide advice and
technical assistance to ACF discretionary Head Start grantee agencies, be able
to lead and participate in grant reviews, advice and assistance to grantee in
program planning, monitor grant u will provide advice and
technical assistance to ACF discretionary Head Start grantee agencies that
includes programmatic and fiscal oversight responsibilities for discretionary
grant programs administered by grantee agencies.
The National Education Association is an organization
that recognizes that early childhood education is one of the best investments
that our country can make. This organization is a solid organization that has
been in existence since 1857. The NEA
believes that every student in America no matter family income or place of
residence, deserves a quality education (NEA, n.d.). The vision of NEA is a great
public school for every student (NEDA, n.d.). Their mission is to advocate for
education professionals and to connect members and the nation to complete the
promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse
and interdependent world (NEA, n.d.).
They currently offer a Manager position which would
support the NEA’S strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its
three million members toward the promotion of strong state affiliates by
providing management, direction, and coordination for all aspects of Campaigns
and Elections (C&D) programs in the Center for Strong Affiliates. I would
need strong managerial skills, professional skills, and knowledge in state and
national campaigns and government relations to assist in the planning and
management of resources and programs to states. They also require experience in
program planning, team building and affiliate knowledge and understanding.
The National School
Board Association (NSBA) is an organization that represents state school boards
association and their more than 90, ooo local school board members. They
believe education is a civil right, and public education is America’s most important
institution. Their mission working with and through state association, they
advocate for equity and excellence in public education through school board
leadership (NSBA, n.d.). School board’s vision for public education is their
unified framework based on their mission. This organization has developed an “army
of advocates” poised to influence key federal legislative issues (NSBA, n.d.).
They understand that as public school advocates they need to be unified in
messaging and proactive in their delivery.
This organization
appealed to me in that they are advocates for education believing that
education is a civil right and that it is necessary to the dignity and freedom
of the American people. They feel all students should have equal access to an
education that maximizes their individual potential (NSBA, n.d.). The only
careers available at this time are a System Administrator and Graphic Design,
these were not careers that were of interest
to me. School boards, elected or appointed by their communities, represent the
community’s beliefs and values. This
organization was of interest to me due to they are organization who is about
community. The most important responsibility of school
boards is to work with their communities to improve student achievement in
their local public schools. School boards derive their power and authority from
the state. In compliance with state and federal laws, school boards establish
policies and regulations by which their local schools are governed (NSBA,
n.d.).
