Local Early Childhood NewsVOTE FOR KIDS Kids can't vote, but we can! Voting is one of the best ways you can advocate for Monterey County children and families. More than 42% of registered voters in Monterey County have already voted! If you haven't already voted, mail or drop-off your ballot at the nearest ballot drop-off location or find your polling place to vote in-person on November 3! This year's election is unlike any we have experienced in our lifetime. If you have yet to cast your ballot, research the candidates and ask yourself some questions: Has the candidate talked about the importance of early childhood? Do they have a plan to support issues that matter to families, such as paid family leave? How will they continue to maintain and establish quality, affordable child care? Let's elect candidates who will make the needs of infants and toddlers their priority. We can use our voice and our vote to make a difference for California's children and families Learn More COUNTY OF MONTEREY IS RECRUITING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER The County of Monterey is seeking to fill the newly created position of Economic Development Manager. It is important that this position understand the needs of families with young children and the 'triple play' importance of child care as:
- An important economic sector in and of itself
- The support that allows parents to work
- The first building block for our workforce development
The Economic Development Manager is responsible for developing and recommending overall economic development policies. The County is looking for an innovative leader who will coordinate activities with other agencies that promote financial health on a Countywide basis while fostering opportunities for economic development programs. Duties include creating economic opportunity, providing analysis of proposals, overseeing the implementation of programs, and providing expertise to County departments and the business community. Learn More NEW WEBSITE ' CENTRAL COAST EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVOCACY NETWORK First 5 Monterey County believes in the power of our collective voice. F5MC is a proud sponsor of the Central Coast Early Childhood Advocacy Network (CCECAN). Advocacy happens everywhere, and CCECAN wants to make sure every child and family is heard and seen—including online! Check out their new website by clicking here. Learn More
State and National Early Childhood Policy CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, FOOD BANKS, AND DIAPER BANKS RECEIVE FUNDS FROM CARES ACT With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to adversely impact Californians, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) praised a collaborative solution reached by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Governor's Office to allocate $400M in funding for Project Homekey and legislative COVID-19 priorities, including child care, food banks, and diaper banks. At the leadership of Senator Mitchell, who chairs the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the Senate advocated that funding be allocated to help programs that have seen an increased need during the pandemic. Those legislative priorities were then included in the Governor's request, and include $110M for child care, $75M for food banks, and $15M for diaper banks. Learn More APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT CONSULTANT This consultant level position with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires participation in the design and development of performance assessments and in strategizing and carrying out implementation with candidates and preparation programs. In addition, the consultant will participate in the design and execution of faculty training for early childhood educators in the implementation of performance assessments at the local and state level. Ideal candidates possess recent experience with early childhood education, parent education, and special education for early childhood. If interested, access the state application for this position. Learn More GOVERNOR NEWSOM UNVEILS PARTNERSHIP WITH SESAME WORKSHOP FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL PSAS California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new partnership with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, on back-to-school safety PSAs. As COVID-19 complicates returning to school, three new PSAs were released to teach kids healthy habits for staying safe during the pandemic. Watch the new bilingual PSAs featuring Elmo and his dad Louie in English and Spanish. Learn More
Community Events and Meetings FIRST 5 SPONSORED COMMUNITY EVENTS Our Sponsorship program is currently on hold to reduce the spread of COVID-19. OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS SUPPORT AND LEARNING GROUPS ARE BACK Positive Discipline Community Resources is once again offering a free series of parenting programs for families in Pajaro, Las Lomas, and Royal Oaks. The classes will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays, September through November. Learn More FIRST 5 COMMISSION MEETINGS Due to the shelter-in-place order, all meetings will take place virtually. The links to each meeting will be listed on the respective agenda which is posted on our website, in accordance with the Brown Act. Visit our website for an updated schedule. Please note: Commission meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check our website regularly for updates.
- November 4: Evaluation Advisory Committee, 9:00am - 11:00am
- November 6: Finance/Personnel Committee Meeting, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
- November 9: Executive Committee Meeting, 9:30am - 11:00am
- December 2: Evaluation Advisory Committee, 9:00am - 11:00am
- December 7: Regular Commission Meeting, 9:00am - 11:00am
Training and Grant Opportunities FIRE RELIEF FUND The Community Foundation for Monterey County created the Monterey County Fire Relief Fund to assist communities affected by current and future fires including the River Fire, Carmel Fire, and Dolan Fire. COVID-19 RELIEF FUND The Community Foundation for Monterey County and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation started a COVID-19 Relief Fund. It was created to address the immediate and longer-term needs of our community. U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE The U.S. Small Business Administration has a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application open to nonprofits. CALNONPROFITS COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR CALIFORNIA'S NONPROFITS For more nonprofit COVID related funding opportunities.
Early Childhood Innovations and Research CHILD CARE THE TRUE COST OF PROVIDING SAFE CHILD CARE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC As the nation continues to grapple with the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic, child care is among the hardest-hit and least supported industries. COMPANIES GRAPPLE WITH CAREGIVING CHALLENGES FOR WORKERS AS SCHOOL YEAR STARTS Forty-three percent of working adults also said that they are likely to consider taking a leave of absence due to COVID-19 related family issues, and a quarter of the caregiver respondents say they are struggling, according to a recent Wellthy survey. COVID-19 NEW COVID-19 STUDY REVEALS MORE ABOUT POSSIBLE RISKS TO PREGNANT WOMEN Researchers are learning more about what pregnant women may experience if they are infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. WHY ARE CHILDREN OF COLOR GETTING COVID-19 AT HUGE RATES? People of color have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, and new research is heightening concern about the susceptibility of children in these communities. EDUCATION ANALYSIS: EDUCATORS SAY DISTANCE LEARNING FAILED MOST ENGLISH LEARNERS LAST SPRING American schools' responses to COVID-19's sudden interruption to public education varied considerably across the nation as students went from daily classroom learning to stay-at-home orders nearly overnight. SINGLE PARENTS FACE CHALLENGES WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING Kelli Shelhorse has good days and bad days. Some days she feels like she has a handle on things. Other days are more stressful and overwhelming. TEACHERS CONTEND WITH STRESS AS DISTANCE LEARNING ENDURES Pandemic continues to put emotional and financial demands on Southern California educators. EDUCATORS FIND STRATEGIES FOSTERING SEL, PLAY FOR YOUNGEST STUDENTS AS CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES As preschools open this fall, educators are looking at new ways to support playtime and foster sharing even amid social distancing, writes Edutopia. FAMILY LEAVE LABOR DEPARTMENT CLARIFIES WHEN PARENTS QUALIFY FOR PAID LEAVE, UNEMPLOYMENT FOR SCHOOL CLOSURES The Department of Labor issued new guidance last week that aims to clarify when parents may qualify for paid leave or unemployment benefits if they must care for children at home during the new school year. CALIFORNIA PAID LEAVE LAW AMONG NATION'S BROADEST A new law in California lets more people than almost anywhere else in the country take up to three months off from work to care for a family member. This is thanks in part to a nursing mother who brought her baby to work with her on the final day of the state legislative session to vote for it. MENTAL HEALTH FOR VULNERABLE FAMILIES, THE PANDEMIC'S EFFECT ON MENTAL HEALTH IS SWIFT AND HARSH In just a few months, the COVID-19 pandemic swiftly and substantially worsened mental health among US hourly service workers and their children—especially those experiencing multiple hardships, according to new research. HOW TO ADAPT MEDITATION FOR LITTLE KIDS? IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE PLAY "A few months into the pandemic, my spouse, Sabrina, and I noticed our 4-year-old daughter, Marty, was constantly cramming a fist of fingers into her mouth and seeking physical contact to such an extent that she nearly qualified as a fifth limb on either of our respective bodies."
REMINDER COVID-19 AND ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES F5MC is here to support the health and safety of our community. We have recently updated our website with information to meet community needs for both COVID-19 and anti-racism materials. Our COVID-19 page contains information for families across our county struggling with income loss related to stay-at-home policies, access to food, confusion on immigration supports, anxiety or loneliness, or simply needing resources during this challenging time. Monterey County has also shared flyers in English and Spanish on how to protect your family during this time. Our Learning Resources for Children and Families page has activities for children to do at home along with anti-racism resources that include how to talk to children about racial bias, how to talk about race, and books that explain race and diversity. Learn More
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