National Center for Children in Poverty

For the past few weeks, whenever we have been asked to discuss our websites it has been predominantly about what their mission and expectations are for the poor. I am glad to be able to focus on a different aspect of the website and the other benefits that they have to offer for those who are poor or living in poverty. 

NCCP has blogs that help others to better understand the situation of the poor and needy. One of the blogs I chose to read was "Why Do We Expect Food Stamp Users to Make Perfect Food Choices?" The blog explained how others viewed SNAP participants because of their choice to make unhealthy choices in food and drinks. It also said that the reasoning behind these poor choices stem from the convenience of the grocery stores. Participants of SNAP are on SNAP for a reason, and this is because they are living in poverty, and they have to buy cheap. Everyone knows that if it's cheap, it is not good for you. 

The section that I chose to dig deeper into was the newsroom. The newsroom gives insight into what the NCCP will be working on throughout the year, and where they plan to go into the future. The NCCP has news that enlightens its readers on what is going on with the organization and how they can be a contributor to helping them grow as they help those in poverty.

The newsletter for this month focus on the undergrad interns that worked with NCCP this summer. Their mission is to help fight poverty in America and improve the public health for those who live in poverty. One is a graduate of the public health community and the others are still studying public health in their junior years of college. 

The main focus of this website was ways to help those who are in poverty and to give statistics of the poor and poverty rates. I would say that the website helped my understanding in the equity segment because it explains that no matter the race, shape, or size poverty has no particular person. It has no reference to the educational point. 

The insight that I gained from this website is that they are dedicated to helping those who are poor and in poverty and providing them with avenues for a better life. 

Inequality Issues

I have yet to hear from any podcast members, so I with the alternative route. According to the Center on the Developing Child, they work globally to build a broader movement to achieve breakthrough outcomes for children around the world ( Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2010). The center works with countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Canada; other countries are involved as well. 

The Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI) is a collaborative that involves the Center on the Developing Child, and other major corporations throughout Brazil that partnered together to create a science driven early childhood movement to inform policymakers on how to apply science to Early Childhood programs. This is a good collaborative because science has a lot to do with Education from the teaching standpoint and the benefits of helping children learn through exploration.

Canada has the Albertha Family Wellness Initiative a program in which science plays a big role as well. Like Brazil, Canada uses science of child development to inform public policies. They support research in early brain and biological development, mental health, etc and translate the research. This is a good program that can also be used in the United States so that others can see the benefits of science working in the Early Childhood field. It also helps policy makers to make decisions based upon the research of scientist, which will be very beneficial to children, especially those of Early Childhood. 

The equity is strong in the countries because they want all children to succeed. The Center on Child the Developing Child has three propositions that guide their international work and they are:

• Coordinated strategies to support child development can multiply the effects of investments in child survival, health, education, and economic development.
• We need to protect children from significant adversity, in addition to providing them with enriched learning opportunities.
• The early childhood years are critical building blocks for lifelong health, not just school readiness (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2010).

All three points focus around children, and there is not one race or culture being singled out. 

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2010). Global children's initiative. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/

Walden University M.S. in Early Childhood Studies

Formative Evaluative Criteria for Applications and Reflective Essays

Quality of Work Submitted Work reflects graduate-level critical, analytical thinking.	A: Exemplary Work A = 4.00; A- = 3.75 All of the previous, in addition to the following:	B: Graduate Level Work B+ = 3.50; B = 3.00; B- = 2.75 All of the previous, in addition to the following:	C: Minimal Work C+ = 2.50; C = 2.00; C- = 1.75	F: Work Submitted but Unacceptable F = 1.00
Adherence to Assignment Expectations The extent to which work meets the assigned criteria.	Assignment exceeds expectations, integrating additional material and/or information. Assignment demonstrates exceptional breadth and depth.	All parts of the assignment are completed, with fully developed topics. The work is presented in a thorough and detailed manner. Assignment demonstrates appropriate breadth and depth.	Most parts of assignment are completed. Topics are not fully developed. Assignment   demonstrates minimal depth and breadth.	Does not fulfill the expectations of the assignment. Key components are not included. Assignment lacks breadth and depth.
Assimilation and Synthesis of Ideas The extent to which the work reflects the student’s ability to- Understand the assignment’s purpose; Understand and analyze material in videos, readings, and             discussions; Apply          presented strategies **May include, but are not limited to, scholarly articles, collegial discussions; information from conferences, in service, faculty development, and/or meetings. .	Demonstrates the ability intellectually  to explore and/or implement key instructional concepts. Demonstrates exceptional inclusion of major points, using creditable sources**, in addition to course videos or required readings. Demonstrates insightful reflection and/or critical thinking.	Demonstrates a clear understanding of the assignment’s purpose. Includes specific information from course videos or required readings to support major points. Provides careful consideration of key instructional concepts.	Shows some degree of understanding of the assignment’s purpose. Generally applies theories, concepts, and/or strategies correctly, with ideas unclear and/or underdeveloped Minimally includes specific information from course videos or required readings.	Shows a lack of understanding of the assignment’s purpose. Does not apply theories, concepts, and/or strategies Does not include specific information from course videos or required readings.
Written Expression and Formatting The extent to which scholarly, critical, analytical writing is presented in APA format; Standard Edited English ( i.e. correct grammar, mechanics).	Represents scholarly writing in a correct APA format. Work is unified around a central purpose with well-developed ideas, logically organized in paragraph structure with clear transitions. Effective sentence variety; clear, concise, and powerful expression are evident. Work is written in Standard Edited English. No prominent errors interfere with reading.	Work is well organized with correct APA formatting  throughout. Ideas are clearly and concisely expressed. Elements of effective communication such as an introduction and  conclusion are included. Work is written in Standard Edited English with few, if any, grammatical or mechanical errors	Somewhat represents mature, scholarly, graduate-level writing, with APA generally followed. Ideas are not clearly and concisely expressed. Elements of effective communication such as an introduction and  conclusion are not included. Work contains more than a few grammatical, or mechanical errors.	The quality of writing and/or APA formatting are not acceptable for graduate level work. Major points do not reflect appropriate elements of communication.   No effort to express ideas clearly and concisely. Work is not written in Standard Edited English. Contains many grammatical or mechanical errors
Final Assignment Grade	A: Exemplary Work A = 4.00; A- = 3.75	B: Graduate Level Work B+ = 3.50; B = 3.00; B- = 2.75	C: Minimal Work C+ = 2.50; C = 2.00; C- = 1.75	F: Work Submitted but Unacceptable F = 1.00

Sharing Web Resources

The website that I chose is the National Center for Children in Poverty. The sections that I felt were most relevant are Topics and State Profiles. I chose these two sections because in Topics you can view articles related to poverty which gives advice on how to help those in poverty. State profiles gives a break down of children who are living in poor or low-income families from state to state. All this is relevant because you are able to choose your state, access the poverty statistics and help the children in your demographics; the topics categories have good resources on how to help low-income families and those suffering from poverty.

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, child poverty rates are highest amongst black, latino, and American Indian children (NCCP, 2015). This made me think about an issue in new ways such as I must now work harder for the children who are of this descent and make sure that they have everything that they need HOLISTICALLY. Because these three ethnicities have the highest poverty rates, it is important to make sure that we do all we can to make sure this does not affect them academically.

The economist contributed to this website through the tools tab in which you are allowed to calculate a basic needs budget, there is a income converter, a young child risk calculator, and other tools that can be used to show what poverty looks like. 

One article that I read discussed helping children and parents access mental health through medicaid. This will help children to receive services through home visits and also parenting programs. Receiving services through medicaid will also help low-income/poor families to get the services they need to better their health. 

National Center for Children in Poverty
http://www.nccp.org/

 Walden University M.S. in Early Childhood Studies

Formative Evaluative Criteria for Applications and Reflective Essays

Quality of Work Submitted Work reflects graduate-level critical, analytical thinking.	A: Exemplary Work A = 4.00; A- = 3.75 All of the previous, in addition to the following:	B: Graduate Level Work B+ = 3.50; B = 3.00; B- = 2.75 All of the previous, in addition to the following:	C: Minimal Work C+ = 2.50; C = 2.00; C- = 1.75	F: Work Submitted but Unacceptable F = 1.00
Adherence to Assignment Expectations The extent to which work meets the assigned criteria.	Assignment exceeds expectations, integrating additional material and/or information. Assignment demonstrates exceptional breadth and depth.	All parts of the assignment are completed, with fully developed topics. The work is presented in a thorough and detailed manner. Assignment demonstrates appropriate breadth and depth.	Most parts of assignment are completed. Topics are not fully developed. Assignment   demonstrates minimal depth and breadth.	Does not fulfill the expectations of the assignment. Key components are not included. Assignment lacks breadth and depth.
Assimilation and Synthesis of Ideas The extent to which the work reflects the student’s ability to- Understand the assignment’s purpose; Understand and analyze material in videos, readings, and             discussions; Apply          presented strategies **May include, but are not limited to, scholarly articles, collegial discussions; information from conferences, in service, faculty development, and/or meetings. .	Demonstrates the ability intellectually  to explore and/or implement key instructional concepts. Demonstrates exceptional inclusion of major points, using creditable sources**, in addition to course videos or required readings. Demonstrates insightful reflection and/or critical thinking.	Demonstrates a clear understanding of the assignment’s purpose. Includes specific information from course videos or required readings to support major points. Provides careful consideration of key instructional concepts.	Shows some degree of understanding of the assignment’s purpose. Generally applies theories, concepts, and/or strategies correctly, with ideas unclear and/or underdeveloped Minimally includes specific information from course videos or required readings.	Shows a lack of understanding of the assignment’s purpose. Does not apply theories, concepts, and/or strategies Does not include specific information from course videos or required readings.
Written Expression and Formatting The extent to which scholarly, critical, analytical writing is presented in APA format; Standard Edited English ( i.e. correct grammar, mechanics).	Represents scholarly writing in a correct APA format. Work is unified around a central purpose with well-developed ideas, logically organized in paragraph structure with clear transitions. Effective sentence variety; clear, concise, and powerful expression are evident. Work is written in Standard Edited English. No prominent errors interfere with reading.	Work is well organized with correct APA formatting  throughout. Ideas are clearly and concisely expressed. Elements of effective communication such as an introduction and  conclusion are included. Work is written in Standard Edited English with few, if any, grammatical or mechanical errors	Somewhat represents mature, scholarly, graduate-level writing, with APA generally followed. Ideas are not clearly and concisely expressed. Elements of effective communication such as an introduction and  conclusion are not included. Work contains more than a few grammatical, or mechanical errors.	The quality of writing and/or APA formatting are not acceptable for graduate level work. Major points do not reflect appropriate elements of communication.   No effort to express ideas clearly and concisely. Work is not written in Standard Edited English. Contains many grammatical or mechanical errors
Final Assignment Grade	A: Exemplary Work A = 4.00; A- = 3.75	B: Graduate Level Work B+ = 3.50; B = 3.00; B- = 2.75	C: Minimal Work C+ = 2.50; C = 2.00; C- = 1.75	F: Work Submitted but Unacceptable F = 1.00

Child Poverty

I have not yet established contact with my international cohorts, so I read the UNICEF article regarding child poverty. The UNICEF article speaks about monetary and non-monetary deprivations that have an effect on the well-being of a child (UNICEF, 2012). They began conducting research and the results can be found on the website.

The country that I chose to was the country of Cambodia. For Cambodia, poorer households include a higher number of children, and more than 50% of children live in the bottom 33% of households (Analysis of child deprivation and inequality in Cambodia, 2013). The article also states that, little more than half have access to clean water and more than half defecate in the open (Analysis of child deprivation and inequality in Cambodia, 2013). For children under the age of 5 malnutrition is high, and because they lack the adequate amount of nutrition, 40% of the children are stunted (Analysis of child deprivation and inequality in Cambodia, 2013). Although the children are suffering, there is still progress being made. According to Analysis of child deprivation and inequality in Cambodia, Cambodia has made some commendable progress on enhancing development outcomes for children, while achieving the fastest poverty reduction globally (2013).  If we continue to step in and help these countries in any way we can, they will continue to grow. It may not bring them completely out of poverty, but it will be "one giant leap" from where they were.

The three insights that I gained from the website are that UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. They believe that children have the right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential. I also learned that UNICEF advocate to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future (UNICEF, 2016). Researching and learning from the UNICEF website will be a big asset to my profession because it allows me to view poverty internationally. Having only one view point on things can stunt a lot of growth and learning, but when you view things from many angles it shows you what you can do to help out and become more involved.

Resources

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxtDEpAhxtUaMVV1Tnc5ZW1kSFk/edit

https://www.unicef.org/about-us

Sharing Web Sources

The National Black Child Development Institute

The organization that I selected was the National Black Child Development Institute or NBCDI. The link is as followed https://www.nbcdi.org/ and the focus of this organization is to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy (NBCDI, 2017).

The trend that caught my attention is the National Black Child Development week. This caught my attention because it is the week that the Black child can be recognized and made to feel respected. Not only is the child being recognized but so is the family as well because the week is focused upon helping the families to reclaim and reframe their resilience, assets, and strengths. 

The most important aspect that I love the most about NBCDI is that they are not only open to helping Black families but all others as well. They are not a selfish organization that is only focused upon the black families,  but other minorities too. This is what really brought them to my attention, along with their mission. 

Resources

https://www.nbcdi.org/

Expanding Horizons/Resources

The blog assignment for this week was really interesting to me because it brought me out of my comfort zone. If it were left upon to me listen to podcast, it probably would have never gotten done, but because it was an assignment I had no choice. I am glad that I listened to the podcasts because they enlightened me on the importance of education not just in America, but around the world. 

The steps that I took to found the podcast were following the Link given and began with the George Foreman podcast. I then clicked on the episodes tab and it brought me to other podcasts of educators throughout the world. Thus far I have listened to Susan Lyon, Delfena Mitchell, and Barbara Jones. All three ladies have helped education in many ways such as beginning organizations to breaking barriers. 

The website that I chose is the National Black Child Institute. My reason for choosing this website is because I am the mother of African-American children, and also a teacher for them as well. As exploring the website the first thing that caught my attention was the mission which is "to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy” (NBCDI, 2017). They not only have a vision for black children, but all children and that is to be successful. The organization is the only one dedicated to working exclusively with African-American children and their families on advocating on issues such as education, health, and care. NBCDI holds annual conferences and programs that  focus on health and wellness, literacy, family engagement, and preparation for college.

All of the items that I chosen were for a purpose and that was to help make me a better person in my field of work as well as in my community. Although I contemplated on the podcasts, I am satisfied with those in which I chose because they spoke directly to me. 

Be encouraged in whatever decisions you make, know that they all serve a purpose. With that being said, which podcast and website did you choose and why?

Resources
https://www.nbcdi.org/who-we-are
https://www.nbcdi.org/what-we-do