Advocacy Messages

Challenging ourselves…… my blog focuses on two areas of concern Community and Safety!  The campaigns that I’m sharing are effective enough to cause us to  REFLECT AND ACT

1. Diversity & Inclusion

·         People of color = Latinos , African American  still sense that discrimination is a major problem.

·         Communities = LGBT feel they are still not accepted into the community.

The power message in this campaign is effective because it states something that is of great possibility

“The reason might be that we're actually discriminating unintentionally--some call this implicit bias.”

If our past influences form our behaviors (for however long that has been going on) then it may take that much long to work on acceptance of what we don’t understand or fear.

This campaign of ……. “The Diversity & Inclusion campaign encourages everyone to reconsider the biases that we don't even know we have.”  http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Family-Community/Diversity-Inclusion

If we are up for the challenge … then it is consider effective!


2. Sexual Assault Prevention

Other assaults include; Bullying, dating and domestic assault prevention.

The campaign makes it very clear “it’s on us,  This campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire action against sexual assault in communities and on campuses nationwide. We are reframing sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility, big or small, to prevent it.” http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Safety/Sexual-Assault-Prevention#sthash.gtKWXhnH.dpuf

Take this paragraph and plug in any verb of assault … does it read the same?… yes! This message is effective enough for change because we all know of someone who has experienced this awful act (or is an overcomer of it)………..If we don’t stand for something we will fail in our greatest /finest  hour  for change.

 

 

My Own Capacity

 

The special skills I have learned about myself that will contribute to my advocacy efforts are;

SKILLS AND ABILITES______________________________________________________________________

Organized         Responsible       Dedicated    Focused     Harmony

Achiever         Analytical       Empathy      Discipline     Consistency    Includer    and   Learner

 

Incorporating these skills into my work will look like; organizing my thoughts to take responsivity for the issues that I want to be a voice for. With dedication for a long and very tiresome road, I will stay focused on the matter at hand, maintaining harmony no matter what my opponents try to do to get in my way.

My goal will be to achieve the maximum reward for families, children and staff in early education, analyzing problems that may be ahead.  Yet with empathy and wise counsel I understand that we all come with different perceptions in a single matter, but I most stay discipline and  consistent so that my work is meaningful and reliable. Last I want to be approachable to the supporters that I need along the way. Including welcoming those who may not be like minded but bring balance to help me learn all that I am and can accomplish!

Last, I hope I grow in confidence and knowledge that will convey my passion on subject matters

My Role as an Advocate

I knew at a very early age that I wanted to work with children. The teachers I had growing up ( most of them) were great influencers in my life.  My sister who was mentally challenged also was a factor. My sister was one year older than me, (very quiet) in the evenings we would play school and I was the teacher.  When I had a better understand of her delays I just thought about her school environment and trusted that she was treated fairly.  Now, it comes back full circle today that advocating is a part of society because society always changes from one level to another. In the full scope of it all whatever we are advocating for it always starts small, little do we know sometimes it is preparation for macro advocating. Therefore, I think to become a community leader first you follow!

·         Take in the process

·         Take in the field work

·         Take in the disappointments

·         Take in the debates

·         Take in the advice

·         Finally take into consideration what you have learned and the area, people and places your passion is leading you advocate about.

After mastering the community leader I think the resources that it takes to become a state leader is  networking in the community, serving the community, patience of getting people to buy in and strength to get those likeminded to take a stand.   These things can be accomplished through hosting meeting, trainings and conferences. Also having a business mind is needed.

I think the greatest strategies to mobilize others are meeting them in their space of concern. Having resolutions to conflicts, but first mapping out the issues, this gives opportunities to those who want to be heard. The best advice that I could give someone who would be interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and families would be shadow a great leader! Give yourself time to understand the MANY scenarios that will come up meanwhile working in a small group to get the experience needed. Last, don’t run from but run to problems, they are easier when confronted and not as scary as thought to be.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Advocacy Reflection

When I started out as a supervisor in education I didn’t know what I was doing.  All I knew was I love supporting teachers, LOVE working with children and wanted to support families in a caring way.

 

 

I relied on my former manager’s connected relationship with me as a model  for connecting with my teachers. My prayer was helping my teachers to remember that they are the reason we are quality care and   that they are professionals with a job that impacts a child’s grow and family’s experience for life.

I needed help with learning how to a supervisor and was very grateful that a director took me under her wing. She spoke into my life and wanted me to become clear in my role as a leader so that the body could follow effectively.  One of the greatest gifts she shared with me was how to pull out others strengths and show them on paper what their strengths look like in their classrooms.  This gift make a room run smoothly because everyone understand their purpose  and that their gift will enhance the room touching  different areas in so many ways.

The person that is my advocate on my behalf  wants to remain anonymous , I’m not surprise because she  takes  no  glory for herself….. WOW……. but she pours into so many people! She is a “good gift “ sent to me by GOD, and I’m thankful.

 

Tools for Public Policy

I have a long way to go , to get an understanding of the spectrums in public policies. so much too speak on in early education and some much to listen too as well as read up on such as the basics of
knowing where everyone stands on child care topics;

Governor
Mayor
Understanding the Children's Cabinet (Ohio's)
State early learning Advisory Council
County support
Local support
Non-governmental agencies
Sectors
 So much to learn, I hope I get a better understanding to help make changes for our families.

When I Reflect About My Collegial, Professional Learning Community

This class of Early Childhood Systems has taught me more about the big picture of the Federal, State and local decision making concerning Early Child Care.

I never knew about the  impact of public policy , I just did not pay attention and now, I’m looking at and listening to the Senators, Mayors, local council people and stakeholders.

·         Consider also how being a part of this professional community contributes to your professional growth and your accomplishments.

Being a part of a professional community is like being a fish in water.

  I LOVE living in the pool of education, being with like-minded educators or learning from scholars in the field is all I ever cared about . The confidence and the structure are the driving force of my passion to serve children and families.

I recently became a part of CLASP Center of Law and Social Policy …… Again I would not have known anything about this had I not taken this class. 

 

“CLASP's work to promote policies that support both child development and the needs of low-income working parents. We support policies that expand resources for child care and early education initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels.  We also study the relationships between child care subsidy systems, Head Start and Early Head Start, state pre-kindergarten programs, and other birth to five early education efforts, to advance ideas that ensure these systems address the full range of needs of children and families.  - See more at:   http://www.clasp.org/issues/child-care-and-early-education#sthash.PuPuyxaq.dpuf

 

For my colleagues, my hope is that … this journey of higher education will open doors that we never thought  were possible and shut doors behind us that are only distractions. I salute every teacher in this field of every age level taught!

 

My Hypothetical Family Situation

The hypothetical family I created isn’t something new.

Middle age couple has a child on the way that will be mentally challenged.  The things that I put the family will need are

·         Parents will need couples counselling to share feelings and a strategy to deal with stress from varies places.

·         Types of therapy for the child

·         Better understanding of insurance coverage

·         Finding a child care center with inclusive care , qualitied  special education teachers

·         Support group for parents  and helping present friends with understanding their child and new way of life

·         Mental Retardation Laws, Regulations & Policies

 

The parents  “to be “are in a city without other family members so they will depend on their  community of friends, church members  physician and educators.

The website that I have become familiar with is; http://www.odpconsulting.net/resources/state-center-topic-info-for-families/community-mental-retardation-services-support/#Q2