Identify a Relevant Federal Funding Opportunity

Relevant Funding Opportunity

Early Childhood Education Advocacy, Research and Policy

Rasmussen College

Example

12-16-2017

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is an essential resource for families to help ensure their children get a proper first steps start to their educational needs. Most ECE programs are federally funded, and some offer varying opportunities for children and their families. One particular federally funded early child education program is Parents in Community Action (PICA).

PICA is a non-profit, private federally funded agency formed by a group of head start parents to help operate and maintain the Head Start and Early Head Start programs within the Hennepin County area within Minneapolis. PICA offers various opportunities for parents and families to receive the education and care they need no matter their backgrounds or income.

There are many positive impacts PICA offers such as, but not limited to:

· High quality programming for children to learn within a nonbiased educational setting with above quality teachers.

· Training opportunities for staff to help maintain their educational background and keep up to date on their skills and specialty areas.

· Job Placement Advancement opportunities within the agency

· Child Development and Family Development services to families.

· Helping families define their needs and building a support base for families.

· Maintaining partnerships with families and the communities the families live within.

· Offering health, nutrition and safety to their staff and families they work with (PICA, 2017).

The program offers job opportunities to those who have experience and understanding of Early Childhood Education and Child Development with a preferred BA in Early Childhood Education. Potential employee would have great record keeping skills, is able to maintain communication and relationship building with children, parents and co-workers. Last but not least is able to pass a background check and has a valid driver’s license (PICA, 2017). An Early Start Head Start Teacher would be responsible for not only planning and implementing for child development experiences but also evaluating their experiences and their development within a diverse developmentally appropriate classroom.

I feel as though PICA holds a high quality program, formed by individuals who saw a large need for children of low-income families to have access for early childhood education. To help parents and families better their lives through opportunities themselves and to gain an better understanding on child development and involvement within the community. PICA offers opportunities for families, and staff to expand their knowledge, grow together, and help children in their areas of development. Becoming a part of PICA, or even gaining a partnership with PICA opens the doors for many families in many beneficial ways. They provide: Head Start and Early Start Head Start, Health, nutrition, disabilities resources, transportation for children and their families, and access to vision care. For low-income families, these resources are highly needed, and appreciated.

References PICA. (2017). About PICA. Retrieved from Parents In Community Action: http://www.picaheadstart.org/about/index.html

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