When scanning through Google I came across so many websites for organizations around my state and the country that peeked my interest but I knew I needed to tailor back and just pick a few for this assignment. The agencies I chose to focus on where the United Way of Acadiana, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) office, and Easter Seals of Louisiana. I live in Lafayette, Louisiana and in this city we are known as the Acadiana Area and then it branches off to the Greater New Orleans area as well as the Greater Baton Rouge area. United Way is an organization that is known across the country as a system of volunteers and workers whose whole mission is to raise awareness on social movement and improvement in education and overall health. There are no requirements to be a volunteer but in order to work at my local branch they do require a degree from a 4 year college as well as outside experience in the field. There is a current position that is open for a Early Head Start teacher and they require at least 2 years experience working in early childhood education. This organization is exactly what my focus is for my capstone which is the education of young children and their health care.
The WIC office is a state as well as federal recognized program for low-income mothers and families that provides monthly vouchers to help purchase food for children from birth to age 5. It helps with the purchase of formula and baby food for children birth to age 1 and then provides monthly vouchers to purchase milk, cheese, cereal, eggs, bread, juice, beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a way to help supplement the expenses of having to pay for these items out of pocket. This program also aids to assist pregnant women with food as well up until 60 days after the birth of their child and even longer if they choose to breastfeed. This is a state job so a college degree is required but I did not find any real specifications if your degree had to be within the realm of early childhood or just social service itself.
Easter Seals of Louisiana is a program that is designed to work with children who have physical as well as developmental disabilities. It helps parents and families apply for Medicaid. Medicare, and Social Security Disability. They not only assist with applying for services but they also play a vital role in the corrdination of these services.
www.unitedwayofacadiana.org
www.easterseals.com/louisiana
www.dhh.louisiana.gov/WIC
I had never heard of the Easter Seals before; thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteHi Kami,
ReplyDeleteThe Easter Seals of Louisiana seems like it may be an appealing program. I believe that disabled children should be equally supported within the ECE field regardless of their disabilities. I also think that it is great that parents are able to get the support they need financially through Medicaid and Social Security programs. Great post Kami !!!!!!!!
Kami,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I know firsthand about the wonderful benefits the WIC program offers to children as early as during pregnancy till the child reaches five years old. I believe it if wasn’t for the Women Infants and Children program majority of newly found mothers would not know the importance of health and nutrition for their children during pregnancy and years after their child is born and how to utilize the vouchers to plan out balanced meals, and budget expenses for groceries as well. Thank you for your post.
WIC is a wonderful program. I have had a personal experience with it and it taught me alot as a mother with a young child.
DeleteHi, Kami
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job finding local and state programs. WIC is something I had not thought of. I used WIC while pregant and several monts afterwards with my two children. WIthout the help of WIC I would not have been able to afford the expensive formula. The vouchers for milk, cheese, eggs, peanut buter, and other nutritious food help so many in need.