Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

This week we were asked to share some local and national programs that would benefit young children. I have shared a little bit about each program I chose, and I have done a little research for career opportunities in each area.

CYS (Child and Youth Services)
http://www.hoodmwr.com/cys_childcare.htm

CYS is just one of the many programs offered to military families. I chose this program because my son participates in a lot of activities with CYS each year. Children can choose sports to enroll in, extra-curricular activities like piano to participate in, or attend summer camps. Children get to meet other children just like themselves who may also have a deployed parent. CYS offers $300 in free activities and $100 in free sports per year to children who have a parent deployed or who died in combat. For the younger children under five, there is part time preschool available, childcare at the gym, and parent’s nights out twice a month at a really reasonable cost.

There are currently no job opportunities currently available where I live, but I could see myself working here in the future. Daycare teachers can make anywhere from $10-$17 depending on how many hours you have. We all would qualify for the $17/hr because of our education. I have looked into becoming a CDC Director here recently, and you only need a Master’s Degree and a certificate that says you are licensed to be a Daycare Director. If you live near a military base, you should look into working with their CYS Program because they do take care of you monetarily and with benefits.

Head Start
http://www.txhsa.org/

Head Start is an education program that gives children who may be behind because of poverty or physical disabilities a chance to get a head start before they begin Kindergarten. I chose this program because I spent a lot of time substituting in these classrooms, and I really enjoyed it. Today there is even an early head start. I have been in one of these classrooms, and I was able to meet a three year old who was participating in the early head start program. After two years, she was ready to begin Kindergarten with her classmates. This program varies by state, but it is a national program. Bill Clinton spent some time during his presidency pushing our nation's Head Start program. In Texas, nearly 68,000 students have been served.

I found one opening at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas for a Head Start Teacher. I am sure that more openings will appear as the end of the school year is approaching. We all qualify for this position because you only need an associate’s degree or higher in early childhood. It says that teachers will be paid $1300 per pay period which is twice a month. If anyone is interested here is the link https://insperity.ats.hrsmart.com/cgi-bin/a/highlightjob.cgi?jobid=73734. I would love to work for Head Start, and this may be a route I consider as I will be job hunting this summer!

YMCA
http://ymca.net/

The YMCA is a program that focuses on physical fitness. I chose this program because I am trying to find some activities for my boys to do this summer. Children can enroll in summer camps or sports. Parents have the option of dropping their child off here so they can work out. So far. I found a summer soccer camp that is a week long that I would like to enroll my younger son in as well as seasonal sports throughout the year. This program is also nationally found.

There are a lot of jobs currently open through the YMCA. There are many part-time jobs open if you need a second job, and there are many professional jobs open if you need a full-time job. I looked at the Child and Teen Director. There were no qualifications listed, so I am assuming that they will just be looking for the most qualified candidate. The salary for this position is between $39,000-42,000. There are also many jobs open for their summer camps that are approaching, and the pay is between $7.25 -$8.50.

There are many organizations that benefit children today, but these are the ones that I took interest in. I really liked this assignment because we are six weeks away from graduating and the door is about to open wide!