Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

When I first started my master’s degree journey, I spent many hours researching jobs in the early childhood field.  I was very lucky to start working in early childhood soon after.  I spent two years immersed in working with the birth-three population, and am now currently working with kindergarten students.  Working with young child is fun and rewarding.  During my research I have discovered three very important federal and local programs that are directly focused on the early childhood field, and contain jobs that would be amazing jobs as early childhood professionals. 

Indiana First Steps-Indiana First Steps is an early intervention program that provides services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy for children ages birth-3 years old.  This is a state organization that many others state also have.  I worked for Indiana First Steps for two years as a developmental therapist.  A degree in early childhood education is required in order to be a developmental therapist, or a degree in special education with at least 30 early childhood credits.  This job was very rewarding because I was able to work 1 on 1 with individual children and their families.  I focused on child development and family education.  This is a job that I would consider doing again, and know this is always an option. 

Indiana Family and Social Services Adminstration- Family and Social Services Administration is a state organization that provides assistance for children and families that are facing challenges such as medical, nutrition, and childcare assistance.  They also assist families with rehabilitation and therapeutic services, and mental health care.  A professional career that has always been interesting to me would be working as a case worker.  Many case workers have a bachelor’s degree in a social service field, but can also have a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as education.  I think working one on one with children and families, and making their lives better would be very rewarding.   

Head Start- Head Start is a federal program that provides education services (preschool) for low-income children and families.  This program gives all children a chance to get a preschool education prior to starting kindergarten so that they can be more successful in school.  They promote cognitive, emotional, and physical health in all students.  I would be very interesting in working as a Head Start director.  The qualifications of a director are having a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, administration, or a related field.  The director must also have 2 years of related experience.  As a director, I would also be in charge of the budget and all school operations.  In addition to that, a director should have knowledge of grant programs, and experience working with at-risk families.  This would be a highly stressful, but very rewarding job.