Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

This week I explored national organizations and federal agencies and I found three that appealed to me the most. They are the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), Orange County Head Start (OCHS), and Orangewood Children’s Home now known as Orangewood Children & Family Center. I chose these three because they each focus on helping children and families succeed. This is my ultimate goal as an early childhood professional and I am glad I have found them to add to my resources. Below I have posted a summary of each and their missions and vision they believe in. I also have posted some jobs opportunities they have available.

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE)
http://www.ocde.us/Pages/default.aspx

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is a public education organization offering support services to 27 school districts and more than 600 schools and 20,000 educators serving over 500,000 students in Orange County. OCDE’s personnel offer support, professional development, and student programs through its divisions and departments: Administrative Services, Alternative Education, Business Services, Career and Technical Education, Information Technology, Instructional Services, Legal Services, School and Community Services, and Special Education.
Their vision, “… is that Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success. We play a supportive role in the fulfillment of this vision in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses, and community organizations. We believe that to lead the nation in college and career readiness and success is a high ambition, but within the reach of Orange County students” (OCDE).
Vision
Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.
Mission
The mission of the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is to ensure that all students are equipped with the competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Job Opportunities
CHILDREN’S CENTER TEACHER – Teacher – Children’s Center
SITE SUPERVISOR / CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER – Teacher – Children’s Center
Employer:Lynwood Unified School District
Date Posted:1/23/2015
Contact: Miriam Bryant mbryant@lynwood.k12.ca.us 310-886-1646
TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR (JUNE – JULY)
Salary: $ 2,459 – $3,292 Monthly (Based on experience)
Child development teacher permit and/or child development site supervisor permit minimum qualifications. Children center teacher permit, minimum of two years of college. Previous work with children is desirable.

Orange County Head Start (OCHS)

Home Page

Giving Children a Head Start…
Head Start is a comprehensive child development program designed to meet the educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional needs of children and families. The program encompasses much more than what is generally thought of as a preschool program. The overall goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of “social competence” to children and their families. Social competence refers to the everyday effectiveness in dealing with both present environment and later responsibilities in school and life. Children and families leave Head Start more confident in their own abilities and ready to succeed.
Nationally, Head Start began providing services in 1965 and is now available to children and families in counties throughout the country. Locally, Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS) has been in existence since 1979 and currently services over 4,000 children. Head Start services are available to preschool children from low-income families at no cost. OCHS has centers located throughout the county. Contact your local Head Start office to see if your child is eligible to enroll.
Our Goal
The overall goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of “social competence” to children and their families.
Our Mission
We provide children and their families with quality childhood development programs and integrated support services.
Our Vision
Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS) is the catalyst that launches children and their families to a brighter future.
Job Opportunities
• Home Educator
As a Home Educator, the candidate will be accountable for maintaining weekly in-home visits with a case load of 10-12 families, which focuses on developmentally appropriate practices and family services. In addition, the Home Educator will facilitate bi-weekly group socialization experiences that focus on the developmental observation of the children and parents. The Home Educator’s role includes: establishing a trusting and professional relationship with the families, providing ongoing support, and assisting in strengthening the parent/child relationship by creating goals to support health and developmental related outcomes through coaching, guidance, and education. The Home Educator will assist the parents in utilizing the home as a learning environment, improving the family support system, and increasing the family’s ability to identify and solve problems using a strengths-based model. The Home Educator will provide support through a family services model by assessing the each family’s strengths and challenges, setting attainable goals, and providing resources as needed. Candidates for this position must be able to interface and work with other employees, parents and volunteers in a positive and professional manner.
Education requirement: An Associate degree or higher, a Child
Development Teacher Permit, and 6 specialized Infant/Toddler units are required for the position. Oral and written fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese is required. We offer a competitive salary range of $16.26 to $18.64, with outstanding benefits and the opportunity to impact the future.
• Preschool Teacher & Preschool Teacher Assistant
Teachers & Teacher Assistants: Orange County Head, Start Inc., is a non-profit organization devoted to the field of child and family development. Our program serves low income preschool children and their families. We have immediate openings for a variety of Teacher and Teacher Assistant positions. Child Development Teacher Permit required for Teachers. Twelve completed ECE core units required for Teacher Assistants
An Associate or Bachelor degree and a Child
Development Teacher Permit required for Teachers. Associate Teacher
Permit is required for Teacher Assistants.
Oral and /or Written fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese may be required as a
result of community and workforce composition. We offer competitive
salaries as well as excellent benefits.
In addition to a competitive salary range of $16.26 to $18.64 per hour for
Teachers and $11.92 to $12.04 per hour for Teacher Assistants, we offer
outstanding benefits and the opportunity to impact the future.

Orangewood Children’s Home now known as Orangewood Children & Family Center
http://www.orangewoodfoundation.org/about.asp

Their mission, “…is to provide life-changing prevention and intervention programs for abused and neglected children, young adults and at-risk families through one-on-one support and community partnerships to end the cycle of child abuse”
Job Opportunities
• Independent Living Specialist
Knowledge, Skill and Experience Requirements:
o Bachelor’s Degree in sociology, social work, education or a related field
o One to two years’ experience in the human services field
o Demonstrate strong, independent project management skills and credibility with management
o Demonstrate a basic understanding of adolescent & child abuse issues
o Proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, and Access. Data entry knowledge and experience preferred
o Supervisory experience preferred
o Proficient writing skills & comfortable presenting oneself in community settings
o Must be a minimum of twenty-one years old
o Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance
o One to two years case management

Resources
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) http://www.ocde.us/Pages/default.aspx
Orange County Head Start (OCHS) http://www.ochsinc.org/
Orangewood Children’s Home now known as Orangewood Children & Family Center
http://www.orangewoodfoundation.org/about.asp