LAI 526

Agencies and Services for Children

Instructor: James L. Hoot, Ph.D.,

Learning and Instruction

525 Baldy Hall

Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone:716‑645‑2453 or 2379

Fax: 716-645-3161

E-mail: jhoot@acsu.buffalo.edu

Home Page: www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~jhoot/

Note: If you have a disability (physical, learning or psychological) which may make it difficult for you to carry out the course work as outlined, and/or, requires accommodations such as recruiting note takers, readers, or extended time on exams and assignments, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 25 Capen Hall, 645-2608. ODS will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations.

OVERVIEW: This course is designed to explore the concept of Achildren=s rights@ and agencies and services in our community dedicated to supporting such rights.

TOPICS TO BE EXPLORED:

1. Rights of children: historical overview

Competing rights-child vs parents vs society

Emerging needs of children in America

The legislative system in support of children=s rights

Teachers as advocates for children

2. Introduction to agencies and services designed to support children's rights.

Health Services‑‑mental, medical, dental, nutritional

Diagnostic Services‑‑child guidance clinics, centers which coordinate

diagnostic services

Social services‑‑(emergency and long range)

Protection of children‑‑neglect, abuse

Child Care‑‑day care, family day homes, home aides, foster homes, in‑home day care, emergency treatment, industry involvement.

Other family services‑‑parenting and education in child development, family management, employment, WIN (Work Incentive Program), assistance to supply basic needs

Immigration, naturalization, services to foreign born

Educational Services

Services in the local school district, including adult education

Schools for special needs

Regional education service centers

Early Childhood Development Division

Federal education agencies

Mass media‑‑television, radio, newspapers, magazines

Legal services‑‑laws, right, aid procedures, courts, corrections.

Service organizations

Enrichment resources‑‑libraries, museums, children's theater, other fine arts, exploring the community, recreation, resource people.

Universities and colleges

Churches and religious agencies/services

Safety for children

Other‑‑United Fund, volunteer organizations, etc.

Coordinating services for children‑‑4C (e.g.Community Coordinated Child Care).

3. The teacher=s role in supporting the rights and needs of children

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance and participation at ALL class sessions is required and will be reflected in your final grade.

2. Develop an 5-8 page scholarly paper on the topic, "Children's Rights: Myth or Reality."

3. Agency Study. Focus upon an pre-approved agency of your choice. Spend a minimum of 10 hours in this agency. Provide a written report (8-10 pages) of your experience. Report should include purposes of the agency, staff, funding, special problems, implications for early childhood teachers and reaction to your experience.

4. Locate an agency designed to support the rights of young children and prepare a discussion of this agency.

5. Agency Directory: Provide an organized directory of each agencies studied this semester. Directory should include:

. Typed, double spaced one‑page reaction to each agency session (include: contact person/address/phone and reaction to presentation.)

. Literature provided

6. "Children's Rights" file of current issues taken from the newspaper or other media.

7. Midterm/Final Exam

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:

No REQUIRED text, read widely.

Children's Defense Fund, (1997). The State of America's Children Yearbook. Washington D.C.: Children's Defense Fund.

Jensen, M. and Z. Chevalier, (1990). Issues and Advocacy in Early Education. New York: Allyn and Bacon.

Frank Macchiarola and A. Gartner (1990). Caring for America's Children. Montpelier,VT: Capital City Press.