Sharing Web Resources

For this week's Blog Assignment I chose to share the Web Resource for the organization 
Save the Children:

 http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6176631/k.3EAF/Look_Whos_Helping_Save_the_Children.htm

Save the children is an organization that helps children all around the world.  "Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United states and around the world.  Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.  We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation" (Save the Children Website).

I also posted a link on my Blog which is a segment that was highlighted on the Today Show, in regards to Early Childhood Education specifically pre-schools.  The segment centered around the organization, "Save the Children", who visited one of my own agencies Head-starts here in California, Yucca Valley Early Head-start.  The interview segment was also presented by Actress Ambassador for "Save the Children", Jennifer Garner, who stressed the importance of Early Childhood Education and pre-schools today.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891

/vp/44670244#44670244  

References:  Retrieved from: 

Save the Children website Retrieved from:  

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6176631

/k.3EAF/Look_Whos_Helping_Save_the_Children.htm

The Today Show Retrieved from: http://today.msnbc.msn.com

/id/26184891/vp/44670244#44670244

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

Since I haven't received any response from my International Contacts yet, I chose the alternative to go to the website of the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre's page and read about childhood poverty in one specific country.  I chose China, and was very surprised to find out the recent changes and declines in the overall poverty rates.


China:  I gained many insights in regards to poverty in China, especially the recent changes among the western and eastern parts of the country.  

• Much of this decline in poverty is due to far-reaching processes of economic and social transition  However, economic growth has been slower in Western China, leading to higher poverty rates. For example, in 1988, a person in the West was 3 times as likely as their Eastern counterpart to be poor; by 1998, they were 6 times more likely to be poor.⁵ This figure shows the enormous rise in inequality in China in recent years - from one of the most equal societies in the world to one of the most unequal.⁶ Furthermore, the national poverty line is low by international standards, meaning that many more people live close to poverty.
    

There has definitely been a decline in poverty rates since 2000, which is definitely due to economic and social transition.

•  China's transition from a centrally planned to a globalised market economy has helped reduce chronic poverty and disadvantage, but also created new forms of vulnerability and poverty. Eastern China, in particular, has clearly benefited from controlled liberalisation, and carefully used foreign investment - China receives more foreign investment than any other country in the world except for the US.⁷  At the same time, throughout the country, adapting to the market and preparing for joining the World Trade Organisation in 2001, has had enormous implications for employment and wellbeing. 

There has also been an significant decline in Childhood poverty in recent years.

• 4.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty and 8.7 million live in disadvantaged conditions.⁹  Both the absolute numbers and proportion of children living in poverty have declined over the 1990s. Education and health levels in China are higher than in many countries with equivalent incomes  - life expectancy at birth is 71 years, and 85 per cent of the population aged over 15 are literate. However, improvements in these areas have slowed down over the 1990s and there are major regional differences. For example, in 1999 the national child mortality rate was 32 per thousand but 47.9 in the West.¹⁰  While 80 per cent of Western Chinese children complete primary school, this is 9 per cent fewer than the national average and 15 per cent fewer than in Eastern China.
  
  Summary:
  
  In recent years in China there has been a definite decline in poverty rates, including childhood poverty.  But what I discovered was that even though there has been a definite decline overall in regards to poverty rates, there still is many differences among the Eastern and Western parts of China.  So while the Eastern parts of the country has benefited from foreign investments, Western China's poverty rates have grown significantly.  As far as childhood poverty rates, overall since the 1990's poverty among the very populated country have greatly declined for the children.
  
  
  References:  Retrieved from:
  
  http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

Sharing Web Resources:

            

https://www.kidsncare.com/Main/MainHomePage.aspx

KidsNCare is an non-profit organization located in San Bernardino county that services children and families throughout the community.  They have many programs available for children and their families such as, Child Care Resources & Referrals, KidsNCare waiting list, Subsidized Child Care, and Child Care food program.

I have personally had many years experience working with KidsNCare, they are one of our delegate agencies for San Bernardino County Head-start, and in my opinion they are a wonderful organization, that not only assists children and families, but also offers various incentive programs for qualified early childhood teachers and educators working in San Bernardino County.

I have also had personal experience working with KidsNcare as a Cares Advisor for their teacher incentive program.  I have had the opportunity working and advising other child care educators and teachers in the field advising them in regards to education, and professional growth and development.

                                       CARES Plus Program

CARES Plus is an incentive program designed to help early care educators and providers continue college education and/or attend professional growth training opportunities. Participants may be eligible to year-end stipends based on their achievements in the program. Participants can not receive an AB 212 stipend and a CARES Plus stipend. If you’re interested in learning more about this program, click on the following links: 

                        

                         https://cds.kidsncare.com/PDF/CARES%20Plus%20Orientation.pdf        

Establishing Professional Contacts and Resources

I found the first part of this week's assignment to honestly be very frustrating.  I tried to establish contact with many people on the Resources List, but to no avail.  I sent E-mails to them telling them about myself, as well as why I was reaching out to them.  But I am still very hopeful that I will hear from someone soon.

Since I was not able to establish contact with anyone I then chose the option to research the website for The Global Fund for Children.  I reviewed their home page, researched their people,watched several of their Multimedia videos, and also signed up to receive more news and information on their organization in the future.  I also reached out through e-mail to several people in their organization to establish contact, I am very optimistic.

Our Mission & Vision

OUR VISION 
At The Global Fund for Children, we envision a world where all children grow up to be productive, caring citizens of a global society.

OUR MISSION
We work to advance the dignity of children worldwide. We pursue this mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with many of the world’s most vulnerable children, and by harnessing the power of children’s books, films, and documentary photography to promote global understanding.

References:  Retrieved from: 

http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/