Early Childhood Contacts and Resources

I have sent personal emails to both the Global Alliance, South America and UNICEF, Mexico to establish early childhood contacts.  I have asked for a mentor or named contact to provide information and resource support over the next 8 weeks.  Thus far noone has responded to the requests.  My hope is to hear something over the next few days, before determining another route.

I chose the PEW Center as the organization to study.  I have been receiving materials from the PEW center over this last year, related to early childhood programs and building our economy.  I wanted to spend some to looking at other resources they offered.  What I found was, research based and supported projects that address the needs of families and children.  The PEW center's mission, "People expect government to work. At the Pew Center on the States, we develop policy solutions that make government more effective and deliver results for states and the public good."

While developing policy doesn't exactly get the average early childhood educator excited it is exactly what needs to happen to bring the validity and focus to our work.  Policy that is in favor of universal access to early childhood services, for all families, will move us forward.  The Pew center creates project based focus on research that not only supports families, but our communities.  They have centered on areas that show great return, such as homevisiting and dental initiatives.  They have worked to educate the business community on their role in turning the economy through a future, educated work force.  They have taken the work of individual State policy and programs and highlighted them, showing their benefit, in hopes to have others adopt similar ideas and plans. 

My Supports

My supports consist of my husband, my children, my parents, my girlfriends, my coworkers, my children's teachers, the bussing system.....
My husband not only is my partner in parenting, but my best friend.  He provides the emotional support that I need to be a wife, a mom to 5 kids, a daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, a full time employee and a student.  He makes life fun, funny and full of perspective.  He helps to care for our family, our children, our physical property, and my emotional needs.  cate my children, p
My children help me enjoy the life i've been given.  They are a piece of me and live along side me.  They continue our legacy and we are privelidged to be a part of a life that keeps moving. 
My parents continue to support me and my family.  They provide the help that I need to be the person(s) that I am.  Not only would it be difficult to physically 'do it' without them, it would be less satisfying.  They are a great part of my kid's lives.  They provide emotional support to my children and offer their wisdom to a younger generation. 
My girlfriends, there's nothing like girlfriends.... They offer a female perspective, listen to my concerns and support my parenting.  When I want a pep-talk I call a friend, life wouldn't be nearly as exciting without them.  My friends give me a sense of belonging, a sense of unity and of sisterhood.
Coworkers help to support my work, encourage me, and create a larger vision for my work. 
Teachers and bussing systems educate my children and provide access to greater things.  Without these supports my daily routine would look different.  Educators provide new perspective, instruction, and opportunities.  Bussing allows my family the freedom to participate in other activities.
Considering the importance of relationships and connections is necessary,  you realize the truth behind the statement, "it takes a community to raise a childe".