November 2015Vol. 16, No. 8Webinar: Diversity in the Early Childhood Workforce
According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), one in four children under the age of 6 in the United States come from immigrant and refugee families. MPI hosted a webinar titled "Ready to Meet the Needs of All Children? A Closer Look at Diversity in the Early Childhood Workforce" that discusses the demand for diverse workers in early childhood education and care (ECEC) to meet the needs of children enrolled in ECEC programs. The webinar analyzes data of the number of immigrant ECEC workers, challenges they face in entering and advancing in the workforce, and suggests solutions to overcoming these challenges.
Challenges immigrant ECEC workers face include limited language proficiency, changing credential standards, and lack of training programs for those interested in the field. The webinar also focuses on solutions to these challenges such as promoting program and work place incentive programs regarding diverse ECEC workers, raising awareness of training and professional development opportunities, and highlighting the need to raise wages for these workers. This webinar may be especially useful to child welfare professionals who work with children and families of diverse backgrounds in the foster care and child welfare system who participate in ECEC programs.
For a recording of the webinar and to download the presentation, visit http://www.migrationpolicy.org/events/ready-meet-needs-all-children-closer-look-diversity-early-childhood-workforce.