I reviewed each website recommended to see which one would resonate with me most. Initially I chose the Center for the Childcare Workforce. However, that site is down. It is unfortunate. However, I decided to research and learn about the NBCDI (National Black Child Development Institute). I chose this website because I am dedicated to providing a place in my community that provides excellent care for a demographic who historically have to settle for subpar care. It has been my experience that childcare centers in urban areas are overlooked for funding and have to make due with the least funding and supplies. The NBCDI has worked for more than 40 years, to be at the forefront of engaging leaders, policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact Black children and their families. Their vision is to help foster in a society that ensures a successful future for ALL children. Specifically the NBCDI works to help young black children on issues such as education, early childhood care and health. NBCDI supports and works primarily with Black children birth through age eight and their families, through coalition building with community-based organizations, foundations, corporations, school systems, elected officials, government, child care, Head Start and many other public and private partnerships.
As uncomfortable as it may be, there is significant truth to the needs of the black child. The hardships may not be isolated to just black children, however, there is an lack of balance and black children suffer more in this country from substandard care and access to adequate healthcare. Is it sad that there has to be an agency that advocates for young black children, Yes. But this agency is needed and serves a very important purpose. They have a report on the website called Being Black is not a risk factor. It is an excellent read and I would suggest everyone read it.
https://www.nbcdi.org/sites/default/files/NBCDI_SOTBC_FLORIDA_Report_%20Final%20(DA%2001-05-2017)_0.pdf
Hope,
ReplyDeleteI also commend the work of the World Forum Foundation. I love that they fund grassroots programs that help empower children and that they connect these groups together to help collaboration between these groups. I also want to thank you for sharing NBCDI and the link to the report with us. I found a quote in the report that I like: "To make a difference in the lives of Black children, we must all embrace an unrelenting spirit of advocacy, volunteering in our schools, and community organizations, and advocating for education systems that truly prepare every child for success." I chose the Children's Defense Fund for similar reasons. We need to be the voice of all children. It is a fact that racism along with socioeconomic status and other factors have negative impacts on education. I am looking forward to you sharing more information with us as the weeks go by in this course.
Thank you for sharing,
Trish
Hope,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your reasoning for the website you chose to immerse yourself in. Because you are right, there is a harsh truth that our children, specifically black, are not being serviced appropriately. I was able to attend a national conference that featured the gentleman who piloted the program of the Perry Preschool Project. He highlighted this exact issue. They served 123 black children and are still finding lasting results from providing high-quality care early on. I believe in promoting prevention not intervention, and it sounds like that is what the National Black Child Development Institute is aiming for. I'm looking forward to learning more from you this course. Thanks for sharing!
-Crystal