Sharing Web Resources

For the past several weeks, I have been studying the Children Defense Fund's website.  Out of all CDF's policy priorities, the top policies that are particular relevant to my professional development are "Ending Child Poverty," "Early Childhood Education and Care," and "Special Projects for Children in Need."  I found it extremely difficult to narrow it down to these three, as all issues regarding children are relevant to my professional development.  The "Moments in America, " and "Each Day in America" sections really made me think about public policy (as it relates to children and families) in a different way.  Those alarming numbers of disturbing events that happen to children, on a daily basis, really makes you wonder how is it that the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA can NOT get a "grip" on child poverty, child abuse/neglect, accessible health care and affordable HIGH-QUALITY early childhood education for ALL families?? That really opened my eyes and cause me to realize that much is still needed to be done at the federal and state levels of government to ensure a bright future for children.

CDF has an extensive list of how other organizations support the early childhood field.  CDF also refer many people to these organizations (nationwide) to enhance their work in improving the quality of life for children.

The other insight that I have gained from CDF's website are the many issues that various chidlren from diverse cultures and ethnic groups face.  I have learned so much from this section of CDF's website.

Sharing Web Resources

WEBSITE ADDRESS:  http://www.childrensdefense.org/

The organization I selected was the Children's Defense Fund.  The Children's' Defense Fund is the leading voice and advocacy organization for all children.  They have many agendas and initiatives that are leading the fight against child poverty, ensuring access to healthcare for all children and basically simply promoting a 'better" world for children.  The Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities (www.childrensdefense.org).

THE FOLLOWING CURRENT ISSUE, ON CDF'S WEBSITE, CAUGHT MY ATTENTION:

A Call to Action for Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers are the age group most vulnerable to child abuse and neglect and the largest group of children entering foster care. Just as their brains are undergoing dramatic development, these young children experience maltreatment that can lead to permanent damage to the brain’s architecture and lifelong problems. When not attuned to developmental needs, child welfare practices can compound this damage. CDF, in collaboration with ZERO TO THREE and other early childhood and child welfare organizations, recently released A Call to Action on Behalf of Maltreated Infants and Toddlers, with recommendations for policies, programs and practices to better address the developmental needs of infants and toddlers who come to the attention of the child welfare system. It provides a starting point for federal, state, and local policymakers and administrators to assess and identify where and how they can revise or institute policies and practices that protect the development of infants and toddlers and their safety (www.childrensdefense.org).