Local Early Childhood NewsRESOURCES FOR FAMILIES REGARDING WILDFIRES We are grateful to the disaster relief workers that have been working quickly to ensure the safety of our community. With the wildfires within Monterey County moving towards complete containment, we are here to provide support for the health and safety of our community. Please see our "Wildlife Resources" web page containing information and resources for families as we move towards recovery from these events. Learn More REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: FREE BILINGUAL MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING SERIES COVID-19 has highlighted the increasing need for strong mental health services. To support children, families, and providers during this challenging time, First 5 Monterey County is excited to announce enrollment for our 9th year of Infant Family and Early Childhood Mental Health (IFECMH) training. The training series is designed to strengthen a diverse workforce of Monterey County partners across systems serving children, prenatal through age five, and their families. This training program will be offered virtually and is free for those who work with children and their families in Monterey County. Participants must live or work in Monterey County. Space available until filled and the first deadline for applications was September 4, 2020. Please submit ASAP! Visit the First 5 Monterey County website for more information and to complete the application. Learn More KINSHIP CENTER MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM The Monterey County Behavioral Health Department recently announced the Mobile Response Team (MRT) for Youth, a short-term program comprised of a team of clinicians who can support children and youth (0 to 21 years old) in crisis when there are concerns for immediate safety. MRT supports youth and families by completing a comprehensive risk assessment to determine level of risk, needs of the youth and to explore strengths of the client, family, and community supports. MRT works to facilitate the creation of a safety plan to support youth and their caregivers to minimize the instances and severity of future crises. MRT supports youth with linkage and advocacy in order to connect them and their families to long term services if needed. Learn More SHELTER & PLAY BOXES DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE COUNTY Last month, MY Museum and First 5 Monterey County partnered to create bilingual Shelter & PLAY Family Fun Boxes for 2500 Monterey County families as they face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent evacuations due to wildfires. As Monterey County families socially distance from close friends and extended family, they can still keep playing, learning, and-especially-keep curiosity alive. This past weekend the Monterey County Weekly highlighted the Shelter & PLAY Family Fun Boxes, read the spotlight here. Learn More MONTEREY COUNTY NONPROFITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND INSIGHTS Last month, Francine Rodd spoke during the Monterey County Nonprofits Socio-Economic Impacts and Insights presentation of economic data and impact stories. She talked about the future of Monterey County and nonprofits. Regarding the multitude of challenges we have faced one after another, she said: "The result has been that as a community we have been struggling to make the best decisions for our families - for their physical health, mental health, education, child care and the overall well beings of our communities," Francine shares. "We recognize there is an interconnectedness of all of our work for the success of our children and families...By continuing to build on our connections and listening to and caring for one another we will create a thriving community." You can watch her presentation here and access the full recording here. Learn More
State and National Early Childhood Policy 2020 CENSUS IS FOR ALL
Nationally the 2010 Census missed 2.1% of African Americans, 1.5% of Hispanics and 4.9% of Native Americans on reservations. First 5 Monterey County believes that everyone - including babies - deserves to be counted this year! In addition, the Census plays a key role in disaster response and preparation. Statistics from the Census not only determine how much money comes from the federal government, but also determines rescue coordination and where new fire stations are built. With the recent wildfires, it's crucial to complete your 2020 Census so Monterey County can achieve an accurate Census count to better determine emergency relief efforts and funding. Learn More COPING WITH STRESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The California Department of Public Health, Injury and Prevention Branch (CDPH/IVPB), California Department of Social Service, Office of Child Abuse Prevention (CDSS/OCAP), Essentials for Childhood (EfC) Initiative, ACEs Connection, and the Yolo County Children's Alliance have co-created a newly developed resource, "Coping with Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic." This material is intended for Californian families experiencing the severe economic consequences resulting from novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and shares resources and offers supportive information on ways Californians can take care of themselves and their families during the pandemic. Learn More IMPORTANT BILLS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK The legislative session ended in August and important bills to the early childhood community are now waiting to be signed by the Governor or already signed, including the following:
- AB 2164 - would authorize Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) to establish a patient, located within the federal designated service area of the FQHC and RHC, through synchronous interaction or asynchronous store and forward as of the date of service
- AB 2360 - would provide access to a telehealth consultation program for children, pregnant individuals, and individuals up to one year postpartum
- AB 2405 - would make it a state policy that every individual in the state has a right to safe, decent, and affordable housing
- SB 793 - would prohibit a tobacco retailer from selling flavored tobacco products
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.
- September 14: Executive Committee Meeting, 9:30am - 11:00am
- September 14: REDI: Racial, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Focused Special Full Commission Meeting, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- September 18: Finance/Personnel Committee Meeting, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
- September 28: Regular Commission Meeting, 9:00am - 11:00am
- October 2: Finance/Personnel Committee Meeting, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
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 2020 CENSUS CENSUS 2020: ARE WE LOOKING AT AN HISTORIC UNDERCOUNT? The Constitution requires that every person living in the U.S. be counted every 10 years. But counting everyone is virtually impossible, and historically, Black and Latino communities have been undercounted while white communities have been overcounted. CHILD CARE CHILD CARE WORKERS WORRY THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO DO TOO MUCH FOR KIDS WITH DISTANCE LEARNING ASSIGNMENTS Child care providers are being faced with the decision to support distance learning while children are in their care. WOMEN THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO NOT WORK DURING PANDEMIC BECAUSE OF CHILD CARE In the past few recessions, it was men who were disproportionately affected when jobs like manufacturing and construction took a blow. But COVID-19 has affected industries that tend to hire women. COVID-19 SCREEN TIME DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS Before the COVID-19 pandemic, managing young children's screen time was a challenging area for many parents to navigate. Now, with parents and children sheltering in place, screens have increasingly become ever-present in our daily lives and it's even harder to know how to put boundaries on a child's screen time. Thankfully, some great resources have been developed to help guide parents on this issue:
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health has released a page of COVID-19 resources with information for families, caregivers, state agencies, and advocates of children or specifically children with special health care needs. THE KIDS WHO ARE MOST AT RISK FROM THE CORONAVIRUS The coronavirus isn't as deadly for children as it is for adults, but kids still get it and can still get seriously sick from it. The risk is higher for Black and Hispanic children. HOW 'DANIEL TIGER' CAN HELP SOOTHE A SCARED, LONELY, QUARANTINED KID "Mom, does Dad have the virus" my daughter asked me from the back seat of the car. My husband was isolating after a high fever, chills, and a negative flu test. A TEXAS COUPLE WROTE A BILINGUAL BOOK TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO WEAR MASKS Martha Samaniego Calderón and her husband, Dan Heiman, decided to self-publish a Spanish-English children's book called, "Behind My Mask," or "Detrás de Mi Cubrebocas," to encourage children to wear masks and help them process difficult emotions about COVID-19. HOW TO HANDLE SEPARATION ANXIETY MELTDOWNS IN KIDS The pandemic has made some children even more worried about leaving the sides of parents and caregivers. GETTING CHILDREN FLU SHOTS IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THIS YEAR Doctors offer advice on when and where to safely get vaccinated. EDUCATION FACT CHECK: EXPANDED FEDERAL PAID LEAVE BENEFITS MAY BE AVAILABLE TO PARENTS FOR E-LEARNING When Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, it threw a potential lifeline to parents who rely on now-closed school or child care facilities to get their work done. VIRTUAL SCHOOLING POSES EXTRA CHALLENGES FOR ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS Virtual learning was a challenge in the spring, and more so for students learning English as a second language. In the upheaval of the pandemic, many of these students did not receive the required language services to help them achieve English proficiency. FAMILY LEAVE EAST BAY LAWMAKER BRINGS NEWBORN TO CAPITOL AFTER BEING TOLD SHE CAN'T VOTE BY PROXY Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks was told that maternity leave did not make her eligible for proxy voting. MENTAL HEALTH FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS: PARENTAL DEPRESSION, ANXIETY DURING COVID-19 WILL AFFECT KIDS TOO The combination of financial pressure, loss of child care and health concerns is exceedingly challenging for families. STRATEGIES TO HELP YOUR KIDS STAY MENTALLY STRONG We are in month five of an ongoing pandemic, many kids are facing an uncertain school year, sports are being cancelled, and many are still struggling to be able to see their friends with any regularity. PANDEMIC, WILDFIRES, SCORCHING HEAT: HOW TO HELP OUR CHILDREN COPE In an online discussion hosted by CalMatters, three prominent child health experts offered suggestions for families struggling with the multiple crises confronting the state and nation.
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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