Region A Partnership for Children

Raising A Reader Coordinator

8/16/10: The Region A Partnership for Children seeks qualified applicants for a full time Raising A Reader (RAR)Coordinator. Travel is required in 7 counties (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain). Qualified applicants will have a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood or a Human Services field and 2 years experience in family/community work.

The RAR Coordinator will implement Raising A Reader, a program that promotes daily book sharing between parents and their young children. The Coordinator will attend a RAR training and then train the teachers that have been identified to participate in this project. Child care centers will loan identified families a numbered book bag containing high quality children's books. The books will be exchanged each week and shared reading sessions will take place in the child care centers at least once a week for 26 weeks. Parents of children in the project will be invited to participate in at least 4 parent workshops where they will learn book sharing strategies. Families will be invited to attend at least one young children's event at the local library and will be encouraged to apply for a library card.

Submit resume and cover letter to Janice Edgerton, Executive Director, 116 Jackson Street, Sylva, NC 28779.

Position open until filled.

Technical Assistance Provider

The Region A Partnership for Children requests proposals for training, consultation and support for early childcare providers in Region A.

Qualified organization or individual(s) will develop and carry out a plan to provide training and technical assistance to childcare centers and homes, public preschools and Head Start programs to support healthy social and emotional development and to increase the number of 4 and 5 star rated, and NAEYC accredited facilities and the number of teachers and directors with early childhood education degrees in the region.

Qualifying proposals will document methodology for the provision of:
1. Accessible training and education at convenient locations and times according to specific needs of providers.
2. Training designed in response to specific requirements/needs of facility staff.
3. Outreach to early care providers throughout the region to ensure full access to training and professional development.
4. Written professional development plans with early care professionals related to quality improvement and education.
5. Collaborative strategies for working with other training professionals within the region to link appropriate community resources with specific areas of need for support.
6. Support and referral for early care professionals and families with child specific health and mental health concerns and behavioral challenges.

Project awards pending available funding through Smart Start for fiscal year 2010-2011. Contract positions available until filled.

Qualified applicants may submit a resume and cover letter to:

Janice M. Edgerton, Executive Director
116 Jackson Street
Sylva, NC 28779.

Questions regarding the project may be directed to janice@regionakids.org.