Getting to know my International Contacts.

Hello Everyone , I wanted to introduce you to my new friend Thierry Koningstein ~ He is 33 years old, he lives in Boxtel in 

the Netherlands. Thierry said that they do not have States in the Netherlands, but they have providence's. Boxtel is

located in the province of Noord Branbant. Thierry is a teacher and teaches children with special needs. He teaches at 

Herman Broeren School. I asked Thierry about poverty in his country.

Thierry stated that there is a number of people who are finding it harder to make ends meet. He stated that some of the 

reasons for problems are gambling addictions, and job losses. The economy is in a crisis, he stated. He did say that he 

has not noticed a huge problem with this subject but that he hears of business closing.

I look forward to finding out more about the Netherlands, through Thierry.

Personal Resources

The name of the newsletter/program I subscribed to is Child Care Aware of America. The address is http://facebook.com/USAChildCare

Their mission is to “promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community child care resource and referral.”

The reason I chose this organization was because after I complete my Master’s, my goal is to be a director of a child care facility and I feel that with their goal to “ provide leadership and support to community child care resources” I would like to be in on their ideas.

The name and link of the international website I selected was http://www.naccrra.org/.  The organization’s focus is on that of increasing the quality of child care. The NACCRRA offers training to child care professions. They are also interested in improving the families and child’s life.

The reason I chose this organization is that they want to improve the outcome of families and children in the child care setting. They receive no state funding.

The issue/ trend that caught my attention was on the www.naccrra.org  site. The article was in the “Journal Gazette” a newspaper in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The article I am referring to is about “Indiana one of the first stated to develop disaster guide for child care. The reason I chose this article was first off I feel that to be prepared and not scared is a motto for everyone, not just at home but at the work place as well as child care facilities. The article discusses child care providers right now they only have a plan for fire or severe weather situations. The child care preparedness guide covers all emergencies. Everything from flash floods to threats of violence.
This is very near and dear to me first because I live in Indiana. Second, I work at Early Head Start and I am employed at a facility where we were are prepared for all these things. Early Head Start is under the umbrella of Hamilton Center. Hamilton Center is a Mental Health Facility, and we are required to do each of these test monthly, bi monthly and bi yearly. I was just shocked to see not all facilities were under a prepared plan. At Early Head Start we ensure the safety and wellness of our children. With the unknown violence that occurs at the schools now days, it is best if there is a lockdown procedure in place as well. This article discussed this very issue. And actually Early Head Start was on a lock down just a few months ago. With Early Head Start being within a Mental Health organization sometimes the people are not always mentally stable. And that was the case. There was a client who was obsessed with an employee and the whole facility became locked down until she was found and was stable. I am learning that not all child care facilities are under a disaster plan.

http://facebook.com/USAChildCare

www.naccrra.org

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130709/NEWS07/130709526/1067/NEWS07

Establishing Professional Contacts

As of the current moment I have not had any contact from the two professional contacts. I will continue to try and if I still have no success I will move on to the Alternate. I am attempting to get in touch with Priscilla Rixon at Melboure Australia, the Victoria University.


And the Early Childhood Organization I choose. The reason why I choose this organization is because of its resources and the experience it offers. Where I work we get lots of information from this organization and newsletter as well.


Early Childhood Related Websites - United States.
Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org.