Sharing Web Resources

Back in the beginning of this course, I chose the website of the organization, The Global Fund for Children.  So now here in Week 6, I have re-visited the website.  To see if I can find any information related to our current topic, equity and excellence in early care and education and this is what I discovered:

http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/ 

In researching the the most recent newsletter of the organization, The Global Fund for Children, I read a statement that discussed a reaction to a recent controversial video, "Kony 2012", from the Lira district of northern Uganda.  "As the media focuses its lens, people everywhere are learning about Lira and the 20-year civil war that ravaged it. They are learning about the many dark truths of conflict zones: child soldiers, sex slaves, families displaced and destroyed, civil society undone" (Global Fund for Children, 2012).

The Kony, 2012 Video 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtsF4K23Zvk&feature=related

Enlight of this controversial video, the organization wanted to reassure everyone just what good they are trying to do for children everywhere.  And some good examples of this are the organization grantee partner, "Art for Children Uganda (ACU)" and the partner for "Concerned Children and Youth Association (CCYA)".


One such organization is our new grantee partner Art for Children Uganda (ACU). On a budget of only $26,000, ACU directly serves more than 5,000 children in Lira, utilizing arts education to help them heal from trauma, improve their academic performance, and build positive relationships. Kids involved in the art programs produce Dwon Ottino, a child rights magazine published in English and Luo, a local language. ACU’s co-founders both grew up in refugee camps, where they used art to cope with the uncertainties of displacement and conflict.

Our partner Concerned Children and Youth Association (CCYA) was founded by young people, many of whom lost family members or were forced to be soldiers or sex slaves during the civil war. A child service organization since 2001, CCYA adapts its projects as social and political contexts shift. When a recent assessment highlighted children with disabilities as a particularly vulnerable population in Lira, CCYA instituted a targeted education and outreach program. The organization also recently established a fruit tree nursery to provide a source of food and promote sustainability.

In reviewing the website and the latest newsletter for the organization, Global Fund for Children, and re-watching the controversial video, Kony, 2012 it really reaffirmed a lot of things for me, as well as gave me a lot of new insights.  But there is one insight that is the most important for me, and that is the realization that we in the field of early childhood, really have to help do our part for the children around the world.  And even though there are many great organizations out there like, Global Fund for Children, they cannot do it all alone, and we must all do our part.  And whether or not you believe in the controversial video of Kony or not, the bottom line is still true, and that is the fact that no child should ever have to endure what the children in Uganda have had to, NEVER!


References:  Retrieved from

http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtsF4K23Zvk&feature=related

Sharing Web Resources

Since I still haven't received any responses from my International Contacts I decided to view the current newsletter as well as review the website I received in an E-mail from The Organization Children's Defense Fund.  

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/about-us/ 

 

In reviewing the current newsletter I also viewed some upcoming workshops and speakers for the upcoming Conference scheduled for July and presented by The Organization Children's Defense fund.  

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/national-conference/speakers.html

 

I was am very interested in two of the upcoming workshops one presented by Cathy Grace, from Children's Defense Fund, and the other by Janine G. Bacquie, of Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools.

The first workshop entitled, What Somebody Else Learned in Kindergarten: CDF's National Campaign for Full-Day K. by Grace centers around the current situation of full or part-time Kindergarten.  "Some children in kindergarten receive 2 1/2 hours of daily instruction, while others receive five or more.  Only 10 states currently require by statute full-day kindergarten as part of the K-12 educational system and other states are rolling back kindergarten programs due to budget cuts" (Grace, 2012)

 

The second workshop, entitled, "The PreK in Third Grade Initiative: An Approach to Early Care and Education that Delivers Results", by Bacquie discusses two examples of schools and school districts involved in the preK to Third Grade Initiative.

 

I think both workshops and presenters, as well as all the other workshops sound like very interesting and informative workshops that are very helpful for educators and teachers in the Early Childhood field.

 

References:  Retrieved from:

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/about-us/ 

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/national-conference/speakers.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting To Know Your International Contacts- Part 2

Since I still haven't received any responses from my International Contacts I decided to view the current newsletter as well as review the website I received in an E-mail from The Organization Children's Defense Fund.  

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/about-us/ 

 

In reviewing the current newsletter I also viewed some upcoming workshops and speakers for the upcoming Conference scheduled for July and presented by The Organization Children's Defense fund.  

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/national-conference/speakers.html

 

I was am very interested in two of the upcoming workshops one presented by Cathy Grace, from Children's Defense Fund, and the other by Janine G. Bacquie, of Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools.

The first workshop entitled, What Somebody Else Learned in Kindergarten: CDF's National Campaign for Full-Day K. by Grace centers around the current situation of full or part-time Kindergarten.  "Some children in kindergarten receive 2 1/2 hours of daily instruction, while others receive five or more.  Only 10 states currently require by statute full-day kindergarten as part of the K-12 educational system and other states are rolling back kindergarten programs due to budget cuts" (Grace, 2012)

 

The second workshop, entitled, "The PreK in Third Grade Initiative: An Approach to Early Care and Education that Delivers Results", by Bacquie discusses two examples of schools and school districts involved in the preK to Third Grade Initiative.

 

I think both workshops and presenters, as well as all the other workshops sound like very interesting and informative workshops that are very helpful for educators and teachers in the Early Childhood field.

 

References:  Retrieved from:

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/about-us/ 

 

http://www.childrensdefense.org/national-conference/speakers.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/