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Bold Steps for Children Newsletter
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Mark your calendars! The Eighth Annual Santa Clara County Children's Summit will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at Microsoft in Mountain View. Registration materials will be sent out in early January. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Victor Rios, who is an award winning college professor, author, and speaker. He studies adversity, resilience, and grit among marginalized youths. He will speak about the power of positive quality of interactions in the lives of young people. He has told his own story in the book, Street Life: Poverty, Gangs, and a Ph.D. The title of Dr. Rios' address is "From At-Risk to At-Promise: Supporting the Lives of Our Youth." Last year following the Children's Summit, Kids in Common partnered with other organizations to offer free workshops to the community. With professional development dollars scarce, this provided an opportunity for those who work with youth and others to add some new tools to their toolbox. Topics last year included the Common Core, Breathing Life into Education, Building Respect, and the Growth Mindset. These workshops were 90 minutes long and were very well received. If you have a workshop topic that you would like to offer this Spring, please contact me at [email protected], and I will send you the Workshop Presenter form to complete. By sharing our expertise with each other, we contribute to making our community a place where every child is safe, healthy, successful in learning, and successful in life. I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful and that it was spent with friends and family. Warm wishes for a wonderful December.
Dana Bunnett, Director
Kids in Common
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Kids in Common wants every child safe, healthy, successful in learning, and successful in life!
Kids in Common advocates for policies, partnerships, and investments that improve children's lives in Santa Clara County. The cornerstone of our work is the Children's Agenda, a county-wide initiative working to create measurable, positive changes for Santa Clara County children and families. |
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Community Events
Reducing the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Teens
Brought to you by the International Institute for Student Support, this full-day seminar is designed for youth-serving professionals. Learn about the Integrative Approach to Youth Development and how it can be implemented to mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences; increase student achievement and improve school climate; increase civility (reduce bullying behaviors) in the classrooms and on the streets; increase thriving (reduce risk behaviors) in our youth through community engagement; and become the measurable outcome of your collective impact efforts (the Student Support Card).
Date: Friday, December 12, 2014
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm; 8:30am check-in and on-site registration
Location: Veterans Memorial Hall, 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA
For More Information: You can get more details and register by clicking here.
Creating Invincible Families
Brought to you by the International Institute for Student Support, this presentation is designed for families, youth, churches, and coaches. The facilitator, Derek Peterson, is the founder and Principal Director of the International Institute for Student Support (IISS), which has developed the Student Support Card™, a comprehensive program that measures a student's "other side of the report card." The program's integrative approach uses a consilience model for optimal youth development as it relates to student achievement, civility, and overall well-being. Derek's work guides local, state, national, and international governing boards, policy makers, and program leaders to measure the impact of their efforts upon the developmental ecology of youth.
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2014
Time: To be announced
Location: To be announced
For More Information: You can get more details by clicking here.
Special Screening of FED UPEverything we've been told about food and exercise for the past 30 years is dead wrong. FED UP is the film the food industry doesn't want you to see. This special screening will be followed by a panel discussion with leaders in the fields of nutrition and health: Christopher Gardner, PhD (researcher), Bryan Lian, RD (nutritionist), Thomas Robinson MD, MPH (pediatrician/researcher), and Sophia Yen MD, MPH (adolescent medicine) from Stanford and Stanford Children's Health. Cost is $15. Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014 Time: 2:00 - 5:00pm Location: Freidenrich Auditorium, 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA For More Information: You can register by clicking here. Scholarships are available; send email to Felice Stonestrom at [email protected]. Mentoring Faire Make a difference in your community and connect one-on-one with a child, teenager, or young adult. Find out more by coming to the free mentoring faire and learning about various mentoring organizations that will be present. Date: Saturday, January 24, 2015 Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm Location: County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, CA For More Information: Visit www.SouthBayMentoring.org; send email to [email protected]; or call Tiffany Lee at (408) 299-5030. |
LOVED TWICE Needs
Donations of Baby Clothes
Loved Twice helps needy families clothe their newborns in quality, re-used baby garments for the first year of life. Members of the community donate baby clothes, volunteers sort these precious items into boy and girl Wardrobes-in-a-Box, and Loved Twice distributes them through social workers in local shelters, clinics, and hospitals such as Valley Medical Center. You can see a video news clip about Loved Twice from NBC Bay Area 11 by clicking here.
For More Information: Visit www.lovedtwice.org to learn about ways to support us through a donation, clothing drive, or other volunteer activity. Or bring your gently used items to the Santa Booth at San Jose Christmas in the Park between November 28, 2014, and January 1, 2015.
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For Your Reading or Viewing Pleasure
WEBINARS: Social and Emotional Learning
Supported by music and videos, take-home activities, and stories kids relate to, the developmentally appropriate Second Step lessons have helped teachers instill social-emotional skills in their students for over 20 years. Interested in putting the Second Step program to work for your students? Attend one of the sessions from Committee for Children to hear directly from our experts. You can see a list of live webinars and register by clicking here.
TeenForce Plans to Ramp Up in 2015
TeenForce, which was founded by retired mortgage executive, John Hogan, almost five years ago specializes in finding jobs for young people who have been in the foster care system. You can read about their ambitious plans for 2015 in the Silicon Valley Business Journal by clicking here. Stay culturally appropriate while teaching children of all backgrounds the essentials of being safe with friends, family, and strangers. See the article from Kidpower's extensive free online library by clicking here.Help others by giving time and money to causes you believe in, while staying true to your boundaries. See the article from Kidpower's extensive free online library by clicking here. Foster Youth STEM and Work Readiness Program
Silicon Valley Children's Fund and TeenForce announced that Symantec will be funding the pilot and implementation of the Foster Youth STEM and Work Readiness Training Program. This program was developed as part of the Clinton Global America Initiative. You can read the press release about the program by clicking here. You can also read about this commitment to action by clicking here.
New Study: C�mo Est�n los Ni�os? The Health of Latino Children and Families in California
A comprehensive new study of California's Latino children paints a complex picture of their health and well-being, and finds striking differences within a 4.7 million-strong population that comprises more than half of all the children in the state. You can review the study by clicking here.
VIDEO: Sports Illustrated Introduces Us To America's Homeless Student-Athletes
More than 100,000 student-athletes in America are homeless, according to Sports Illustrated. While athletes such as Kevin Durant and James Jones have made headlines for overcoming childhood poverty and struggles, the magazine introduces us to today's kids who are succeeding in athletics but have no place to call "home" at the end of the day. You can watch the video by clicking here.
FIRST 5 Obesity Prevention Efforts
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) recently profiled FIRST 5 Santa Clara County's efforts to prevent early childhood obesity. Through a blog post and video, CSAC highlights how FIRST 5 programs are making healthy habits fun! You can read the blog by clicking here; you can watch the YouTube video by clicking here.
New Data on California's Homeless Students
The story of California's homeless students is largely a hidden one - many are doubled up with family and friends, while others live in shelters. See new data from Kidsdata.org and the California Homeless Youth Project about homeless students in your county and school district by clicking here.
Mercury News Editorial: Pepper Spray in Juvenile Hall? Let's Talk It Over
Staff at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall soon will be permitted to use pepper spray on out-of-control kids in custody. Why? Because the Probation Peace Officers Union negotiated it into its latest contract. You can read the full article in the San Jose Mercury News by clicking here.
ARCHIVED WEBINAR: How to Put Legislative District Data to Work For California Children
If you missed Kidsdata.org's recent webinar about putting legislative district data to work on behalf of children, the recording is now available on the Kidsdata.org website. The webinar covers how to access data available by legislative district and overlay legislative district maps on many other indicators of child health and well-being available by county, city, or school district. You can review the webinar by clicking here.
Hewlett Foundation Blog Post: The Paradox of Story Telling
The Opportunity Youth Partnership (OYP) and Kids in Common Children's Summit were featured in a blog post by Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Program Fellow at the Hewlett Foundation. You can read the blog by clicking here.
Early Literacy in California's Immigrant FamiliesRead this report about disparities in exposure to book-sharing programs among California's immigrant families. The Chair of the Children's Agenda Vision Council is a co-author of this report. You can read it on Reuters by clicking here. School Discipline Consensus Report Released by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, this report presents a comprehensive set of consensus-based and field-driven recommendations to improve conditions for learning for all students and educators, better support students with behavioral needs, improve police-school partnerships, and keep students out of the juvenile justice system for minor offenses. You can read the report by clicking here. The 2014 California Children's Report Card
This study identifies how kids are doing in our state and what needs to be done about it. Released by Children Now, it covers 27 critical education, health, and child welfare issues and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the current status of California's kids. You can read the Report Card by clicking here.
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Yes We Can...Read! Mentor Program
With a one hour a week commitment, you can read with Kindergarten or 1st grade students to support their reading skills and instill in them a lifelong love for learning! You will work with two students for 30 minutes each in one-on-one reading sessions for 12 weeks in the Spring semester. Your o ne hour time slot will occur Monday through Friday between 8:30am - 1:30pm at East San Jose at Dorsa Elementary (1290 Bal Harbor Way, San Jose, CA) or San Antonio Elementary (1721 E. San Antonio Street, San Jose, CA). We will train you in successful interactive reading strategies that will make your read-aloud sessions exciting and will keep the students engaged and learning! We recruit year round, so sign up today! For More Information: Call Gabriela Alvarado at (408) 347-7892, Ext. 306, or send email to [email protected].
Volunteer to Become a Certified Car Seat Technician
In the Bay Area, 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly. ACCESS (a service of the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary) hosts free car seat fitting inspections. Join ACCESS in our efforts to ensure infants and children are safe in their vehicles. Training is provided at Good Samaritan Hospital, 2425 Samaritan Drive, San Jose, CA.
For More Information: Call Shannon Hickok at (408) 559-2395, or send email to [email protected]. You can also visit the ACCESS website by clicking here.
OYP Is Seeking Youth Leaders
The Opportunity Youth Partnership (OYP) is once again opening Youth Voice positions for youth ages 16 - 24 years who would be interested in representing their peers in this partnership. If you know of a youth who would be interested in the role, please have them complete an application. This is a wonderful leadership opportunity, and a stipend is provided for the youth members.
For More Information: You can download the application (PDF format) by clicking here.
Be a Child Advocate!
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley is currently seeking individuals, 21 years and older, to become a volunteer Child Advocate to one of the nearly 200 foster youth on our waiting list.
For More Information: Send email to Amalia at [email protected], or visit www.bemyadvocate.org.
Join the LPC Council of Santa Clara County
The Local Early Education Planning Council (LPC) of Santa Clara County is seeking individuals who are interested in applying for membership to the Council. Funded by the California Department of Education and housed at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the mission of the LPC is to assess, represent, and promote the early care and education needs of children and families in the community. Applicants must work or live in Santa Clara County, and exhibit a strong commitment to advocating for increased quality childcare services; an ability to make information-based decisions; and excellent leadership skills.
For More Information: If you are interested in submitting an application, send email to Michael Garcia at [email protected], or call (408) 453-6649.
Volunteer with Junior Achievement
Inspire students at local elementary schools with Junior Achievement! Junior Achievement prepares youth for economic success through a short series of age-appropriate lessons about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. You can volunteer to work in schools and teach these lessons (the teacher will be in the classroom to provide support.) The dates, times, and locations are flexible, including any school or after-school program (i.e. public, private, charter, etc.) There is a one-hour mandatory training.
For More Information: Send email to Amanda Lopez, District Manager, Silicon Valley, at [email protected], or call (408) 217-7906.
Be a Mentor for Elementary School Children
Collaborative Community Program (CCP) is seeking mentors for children from Washington Elementary School in downtown San Jose. Mentors meet with children in Kindergarten through 5th grade on Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:00pm at the Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library.
For More Information: Send email to Rochelle at
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We'd Love to Hear From You!
If you have a story or an opportunity that you would like to share in a future newsletter, please send us an email! [email protected]
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Community Resources
10 Steps to a Healthier You!
 A FREE, three-class series for parents and caregivers about implementing a positive, healthy lifestyle into home environments. Classes are for residents of Santa Clara County, and are held at various dates, times, and locations throughout Santa Clara County year round.
For More Information: To sign up for the free three-class series or to host the free classes at your site, call Healthier Kids Foundation at (855) 344-6347. You can get more details about the program by clicking here.
Eastside Elite Basketball League
If you want a Basketball Program for your child, we have both Non-Competitive and Competitive programs. Our Co-Ed Non-Competitive League is for 6 - 9 year olds with little or no basketball experience who would benefit from participation in a structured program, with a focus on skills development, basketball fundamentals, and structured game time. Our Eastside Elite Competitive Basketball League is for 10 - 16 year olds with emphasis placed on good sportsmanship and skills development.
For More Information: For program details and fees, call Eric or Rhonda at (408) 794-1060.
FOR EDUCATORS: Embrace the Core Website and Communications Toolkit
The Embrace the Core website and Communications Toolkit are designed to help educators cut through the noise and communicate to parents about California's Common Core State Standards in their classrooms. Teachers, principals, district leaders, after-school program administrators, and anyone else who regularly fields questions from parents can use the posters, sample letters to parents, talking points, and various other resources to drive those conversations.
For More Information: Visit the website at www.embracethecore.com. You can get to the toolkit by clicking here. If you have questions, send email to Neha Singh Gohil, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, at [email protected].
Good. To Go. Is in San Jose! 
Good. To Go. (G2G) is a community-based marketing campaign aimed at increasing San Jose residents' purchase of "fun, fast, and fresh" items such as fresh produce and kid-friendly 'grab n go' snacks at participating G2G outlets: Healthy Corner Stores, Fresh Cart mobile produce vendors, and PCFMA farmers' markets. To find G2G locations in San Jose, visit our online interactive map by clicking here. To stay up to date on events, new products, and program updates, be sure to Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gd2go.
For More Information: To learn how to spread the word about G2G within your network and become a G2G brand ambassador, please contact Misha Taherbhai at [email protected] or call (408) 513-8716.
A Proven Way to Restore your Child's Health: The Pediatric Weight Control Program
Based on almost 20 years of Stanford's research, the Pediatric Weight Control Program for overweight children and teens has a success rate of over 80% in restoring and maintaining a lifetime of healthy weight. Parents lose weight too! Early intervention is the best way to ensure your child's success. Class options for groups in English are Mondays from 4:30 - 6:00pm, and 6:00 - 7:30pm. Class options for groups in Spanish are Wednesdays at 6:00pm. Classes will run every week for six months in Menlo Park, CA. No referral needed!
For More Information: If this sounds like a good fit for your family, call (650) 724-5611, or send email to [email protected] to reserve your space.
New Teacher Intern Credential Program: Education Preparation for Inclusive Classrooms This Fall, the Inclusion Collaborative started an education specialist credential program focusing on inclusion: Preliminary Early Childhood Special Education, Preliminary Moderate/Severe Special Education, and a Clear Education Specialist Induction Program. Classes are held in the evenings and occasionally on Saturdays. These are alternative pathways to acquiring a teaching credential, allowing students to earn their credentials while interning with a school district. Education Preparation for Inclusive Classrooms (EPIC) accepts new students every 2 years, so if you are interested in one of the three programs, plan to apply for Fall 2016.
For More Information: To learn about the program, see the FAQ page by clicking here. For additional professional development opportunities and resources, visit www.inclusioncollaborative.org.
FREE Kids' Vision and Dental Screenings
Healthier Kids Foundation FocusFirst and DentalFirst programs are conducting FREE (donor-funded) vision and dental screenings for children ages 6 months - 18 years old. Vision screenings are performed with a high-optic digital camera, and dental screenings are performed by a licensed dentist, Monday through Friday at your school, church, daycare center, community center, after-school program, or community-based organization. For dental screenings, all children will receive a FREE toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Healthier Kids Foundation staff will help parents with any follow-up as needed.
For More Information: This program is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Schedule your screenings by calling Sunny Ochoa at (408) 564-5114, Ext. 206, or send email to [email protected].
Personal Safety Workshops
Kidpower's Public Workshops for ages 3 years to adults offer personal safety skills training that is relevant to the ages and life situations of the students. These dynamic, upbeat workshops teach skills such as boundary setting, advocacy, stranger safety, safety with words (spoken or online), help-seeking, and de-escalation. There are multiple workshops for different child age groups coming up in December. Classes fill-up quickly, so let Kidpower know right away if you're interested!
For More Information: See the public workshop schedule by clicking here; you can get registration information by clicking here. For additional details, call (800) 467-6997 Ext. 1#, or send email to [email protected].
Get Help with College Planning
The Online Colleges Database helps to make the college planning process easier for future students. It provides an easy-to-use search tool with relevant data and integrated Google Maps. The site also includes expert-driven topical guidebooks that aid specific demographics, such as minorities, students and families with disabilities, and veterans who may need a different set of advice and information.
For More Information: Visit www.onlinecollegesdatabase.org. GED Preparation Classes
These classes target older youth, ages 17 - 24 years. An assessment of a student's basic skill level will determine placement. Classes include both lecture and computer-based learning. The GED program is open-entry/open-exit during the school year.
Date: Monday through Friday
Time: 8:30am - 11:40pm
Location: 749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Contact Mariah Artley at (408) 213-0961, Ext. 27, or Caroline Sailor at Ext. 30.
City of San Jose's Recreation of City Kids (ROCK) After-School Program
This program offers quality, safe, affordable, and fun after-school care for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The program consists of enrichment activities, homework assistance, healthy recreation, cooking projects, special events, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. Scholarships are available.
Date: Monday through Friday during the school year
Time: End of school until 6:00pm
Location: Schools throughout San Jose
FutureArtsNow!
This program hosts weekly Open Dance Sessions at the Edenvale Community Center for $3/session. Youth and young adults are invited to come and hone their Hip Hop dance skills during our weekly sessions inside the Edenvale Dance Studio/Gym.
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday
Location: Edenvale Community Center, 330 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA
Youth Facing Expulsion
If you know of youth facing expulsion, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth may be able to connect you with a free lawyer to represent your child in a school expulsion hearing.
For More Information: Call (408) 280-2416.
Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Dollars Looking for resources to help advocate for Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) dollars to support early learning and development? Children Now can help!
For More Information: Check out Children Now's new campaign with resources by clicking here. Sign up for The Children's Movement of California to receive more talking points, tips, and tools that will be released over the coming weeks and months by clicking here.
CalFresh (Food Stamps) Outreach and Application Assistance
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties can do pre-screening, answer questions, and help clients complete applications for CalFresh benefits. Application assistance can be arranged for weekdays, weekends, and evenings at community locations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
For More Information: Call Second Harvest's Food Connection, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at (800) 984-3663, or visit www.shfb.org/getfood.
Free Food for Low-Income Families
Free food resources are available to low-income families through Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Our region's Family Harvest, Produce Mobile, Pantries and Prepared Meal programs can accept more participants. Food distributions and meal programs are available weekdays and on weekends at community locations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
For More Information: Call Second Harvest's Food Connection, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at (800) 984-3663, or visit www.shfb.org/getfood.
For All of Our MFCCs and Other Professionals Under the Board of Behavioral Sciences
Kidpower is now certified as a Continuing Education Provider under the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences!
For More Information: Visit www.kidpower.org.
Kaiser Permanente Child Health ProgramDid you know that Kaiser Permanente in California insures low-income children who are not eligible for Medi-Cal or Covered California through its Child Health Program? With all of the confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many mixed status and immigrant families do not know that the program is an option for their child. The Child Health Program is pleased to offer a quality option in California that gives children the healthcare they need for just $0, $10, or $20 per child, per month, for up to three children, depending on the family's income. Additional children are covered at no extra premium. There are also no co-pays (no charge) for services at Kaiser Permanente facilities.
For More Information: Send email to Sarah Hurd at [email protected]. You can also get additional details, including eligibility guidelines and how to apply, by clicking here.
PARENT PROJECT This 12-week program, which offers classes throughout Santa Clara County, is specifically designed for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents. Parents learn specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors. For More Information: Visit www.ParentProject.com; call (408) 808-3794; or send email to [email protected]. Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club This club offers children (and adults) important lessons about conserving energy and water, recycling trash, and finding new food sources. Supervisor Dave Cortese started the Kids Climate Club to introduce children in 3rd through 12th grades to simple tips they can use to help protect the environment. For More Information: If you would like Supervisor Cortese to give a presentation to your school or youth group, call (408) 299-3050, or send email to [email protected].
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Crowdsourcing for the Next Great
STEM Program, Idea, or Initiative
United Way Silicon Valley believes the next great idea about how to address Science, Technology Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in our community may come from a new source that we have yet to discover. STEM education is the wave of the future, and no longer will just a high school diploma suffice as the 'finish line' for student success - career opportunities in STEM need to be the new 'finish line' for students.
To this end, we have embarked upon a crowdsourcing project to uncover the next great idea. We invite those in our community, in addition to any other community, to share your insights. Please visit www.futureofsiliconvalley.org, and give us your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.
For More Information: If you have any questions or want additional information, send email to Zane Barnes, Grants Manager, United Way Silicon Valley at [email protected], or call (408) 345-4308.
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Have You Signed the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth?
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