Course Resources

Resources:

The National Children's Advocacy Center 

http://www.nationalcac.org/

National Children's Alliance

http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/index.php?s=24

Articles

Local Article (Yeah Montana!!!)

 http://helenair.com/news/article_0fc0482c-40a8-11e0-aeb2-001cc4c03286.html

Where We Stand on Child Abuse NAEYC

http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/63694/CRS-CW-5364582/educ6005_readings/naeyc_childabusestand.pdf

Organizations

Local Organizations involved with Child Advocacy

*AWARE, Inc. (Helena, MT)  is a private, non-profit corporation, providing quality, community-based services to people with challenging mental, emotional, and in some cases, physical needs who would otherwise be served in a limited setting if they were served at all.  http://www.aware-inc.org/about.html

* First STEP Resource Center (Missoula, MT) is a Children’s Advocacy Center serving children, families and adults that coordinates with medical and mental health providers and other professionals to helps families and children http://www.saintpatrick.org/index.aspx/Serving_Our_Community/First_STEP


*ACEI is a global community of educators and advocates who unite knowledge, experience, and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation and advocate for children.  http://acei.org/about/

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

These are quotes that have touched me deeply.  The following comments spark a desire to help children in any way possible.

“Providing families with information and assistance in selecting high-quality child care services will increase public awareness of this issue, create a demand for more high-quality child care options, and strengthen the role of parents in informing public policy and improving practices”(Virginia Buysse).

“If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand for much” (Marian Wright Edelaman)

"We have a unique opportunity as early childhood educators to shape a child's life for the better" (Sandy Escobido)

Personal Childhood Web

Micheal - My Adoptive Father
The man that adopted me is my hero.  He worked for the military but even though he spent a significant amount of time on the road I always knew he loved me.  The way he influenced me the most was he instilled in me a strong hardworking work ethic.  He taught me that anything worth having was worth working for no matter the sacrifices that may become necessary to making it happen.  I have had self esteem issues my entire life because of certain circumstances but my father always let me know that I meant the world to him and that he was proud of me.  To this day he always shows interest in what is going on in my life and that means a lot that even though I am married and dependent on my husband that he still cares and is still proud of my accomplishment.  I know that I can always count on my dad to help me work through any trial I may face and he is one of my best friends so he is one of the first ones I call when I need to talk something though or just need a shoulder to cry on.

Christopher – My Husband (Happily married for 13 Year)
Thirteen years ago I married my high school sweetheart and best friend.  He has been my biggest support and cheerleader thought my college studies and I count on him more that anyone can imagine.  Like a friend of mine said one time I did not marry someone I could live with but someone I can’t without.  He knows how much my education means to me and he is there encouraging and pushing me.  He has influenced me by being their through thick and thin and showing me what true unconditional love it, he truly treats me like a princess.  Our family deserves the best and we know that we can accomplish anything if we as long as we are willing to work together and never give up.   We make a great team and without him I am not sure where I would be, I know one thing for sure he means the world to me and I believe I found my needle in a haystack 

April – (Natural Aunt)
Although I only spent my first two years around Aunt April she was an important person when it came to shaping my first two years.  My birth mother was not interested in having another child so she passed me off to her sister and mother during the majority of the few years before my adoption.  After speaking to my aunt she said I spent a lot of time at her and my grandmothers house.  She remembers dressing me and because of how small I was she remembers putting a little purple dress on me that belonged to a doll she owned.  I may not remember anything from those first two years but if it wasn't for the love from my aunt and grandmother I would not have experienced that feeling.  It has been shown that the first few years of a child's life can effect the rest of that child's life and I truly believe without my aunt I would not have the strong love for others I do now.  I found my birth family when i was 25yrs old and since I have been lucky enough to build a strong and meaningful relationship with my big brother, Aunt April, and Grandma Tina.  I feel very lucky to have them in my life now.

Special Drawing Close to My Heart

                                              Micheal Meier 2010  Age 13

When I saw I could post a drawing by a child I knew instantly which drawing I was going to choose.  This beautiful piece of art was drawn by my oldest Micheal.  He was 13 years old and in 7th grade when this project was completed.  He has always been my special boy but when he was asked to pick an animal for his art project he chose my childhood pet Tessa.  She was a miniature dachshund and was one special pup. Micheal is a child that has no problem thinking about others before himself.  He presented this drawing to me following my knee surgery this past year and that fact that he spent the time and effort doing this with the plan of giving it to me during a very discouraging time melted my heart. 

This act of kindness showed me that children have huge hearts.  If their upbringing is positive and they are encourage to be positive members of the family those traits will eventually turn them into positive role models and adults that truly care for others.  Society today I full of self absorbed people that believe the world revolves around them.  Not all children have someone teaching them right and wrong so if I can help even one child grow up in a positive way my heart will feel complete because it is those kids that are left to fend for themselves that break my heart everyday. If I can raise my children to think about others and not with the belief that the the world revolves around them then my job is close to complete.  Selfless acts of kindness can go along way and can mean the world to someone. 

Thank You Micheal for being the wonderful thoughtful young man you are and always know that I am extremely proud of you and all your achievements. I have been blessed to have the honor to be your mother and have the opportunity to watch you grow into to the young gentleman you are becoming. 

Favorite Childhood Book

The book that comes to mind when I reflect on books from my childhood would be Leo the Lop by Stephen Cosgrove.  It is about a rabbit whose ears are longer than all the other rabbits and he learns by the end of the story that even though he is different "normal is whatever you are" (Steve Cosgrove, 1978).

I was born March 17, 1978 my birth mother decided the best option for her was to give me up for adoption so in 1980 I was adopted, this picture was take soon after I came to live in my new home.