|
Bold Steps for Children Newsletter
|
|
I am going to keep it short and sweet this month with a request:
We need speakers for the College Day Speaker's Bureau. On October 21st, 125 schools throughout Santa Clara County are creating a college-going culture and celebrating going to college. Many of these schools would love to have a guest speaker for their classrooms or even assemblies. We provide you with support and connect you to the school. If you are interested, please
click here to get more information and sign up.
Enjoy these final hot days of summer.
Dana Bunnett, Director
Kids in Common
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
FEATURES
|
|
 |
|
Project Cornerstone: Call for Nominations
Project Cornerstone's 2017 Asset Champions Awards Breakfast, to be held on March 24, 2017, will honor the individuals and organizations whose ongoing commitment to building positive relationships with young people helps make Silicon Valley a better place for young people to live and grow. Project Cornerstone will also be releasing the data from the 2016 Santa Clara County Developmental Assets Survey. Project Cornerstone is seeking nominations from the community for the individuals and organizations to be recognized at this event. Nominations are due by October 31, 2016.
Asset Champions awards will be given in the following categories:
* Adult Role Model
* Caring School Climate - Elementary School
* Caring School Climate - Middle School
* Caring School Climate - High School
* Community Values Youth
* Positive Cultural Identity
* Positive Peer Influence
To nominate an individual or organization or for more information, please visit www.projectcornerstone.org, and click the Nominate a Champion button.
Take Action for Children's Health!
Join the Call to Action Community Forum
Help us make Santa Clara County a healthier place for children! The Children's Health Assessment is an initiative spearheaded by Supervisor Dave Cortese and led by the County Public Health Department. A steering committee has been meeting for over a year to document data that highlights a number of areas affecting the health of children in Santa Clara County, including general health, barriers to accessing services, family and social support, and economic inequality and housing. Please attend this forum to hear about the findings from the report and learn how you can help improve the health of children in Santa Clara County.
Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
Location: Social Services Agency Auditorium, First Floor, 333 West Julian Street, San Jose, CA
For More Information: You can get more details and register by clicking here. If you have questions, please call (408) 792-5040.
|
|
COMMUNITY EVENTS
|
|
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Open House
Mentor Tutor Connection, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, needs high school mentors and K- 8 tutors for students in Los Altos and Mountain View schools. Becoming a mentor or tutor will add joy to your life and help our local youth along the way to a brighter future! There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. Come learn more, and bring a friend!
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm (lunch included)
Location: MVLA District Office - Board Room, 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA
For More Information: You can register by
clicking here. For questions, send email to
programs@mentortutorconnection.org.
Workshop: Anchoring Children and Youth Who Are Homeless
This workshop is presented by the Disproportionality Committee of the Child Abuse Council of Santa Clara County in collaboration with District 5 Supervisor, Joe Simitian. Hear personal accounts from youth who were formerly homeless, and their preferred resources based on different circumstances and needs. Learn from providers in the field about gap services that are successfully anchoring children and youth who have otherwise "fallen off the grid." Gather information and resources that contribute to solutions, and receive exciting news about future services for this population. This workshop is free and open to youth, parents, mentors, teachers, social workers, practitioners, administrators, and the community at large. Bagels and coffee will be served.
Date: Friday, September 23, 2016
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Quinlan Community Center, 10185 North Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA
For More Information: You can get more details and register online by
clicking here.
SAVE THE DATE! Latino-Latina Role Model Conference
Plan on sending a busload of your students to this inspiring educational event, featuring doctors, lawyers, teachers, probation officers, firefighters, engineers, game developers and coders, police officers, TV journalists, public relations executives, corporate and business executives, and community leaders! Free breakfast snack, free lunch, free bottled water, free raffle, and free conference registration.
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2016
Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm
Location: William C. Overfelt High School, 1835 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Check out the flyer by clicking here.
Open Air Health Fair
The Health Trust participates in Bi-national Health Week by organizing Silicon Valley's largest family-friendly Open Air Health Fair, providing free health screenings and resources to the public. These services range from cardiovascular, diabetes, and vision screenings, to adult seasonal flu vaccinations.
Date: Saturday and Sunday, October 15 - 16, 2016
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm on both days
Location: Berryessa Flea Market, 1590 Berryessa Road, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Visit www.healthtrust.org/oahf for general, volunteer, and map information.
Inclusion Collaborative State Conference: Harvesting Equity for All Children and Youth-Inclusion Through Integrated Services
The 3rd Annual Inclusion Collaborative State Conference is an interactive and reflective educational opportunity to understand and learn evidenced-based practices for individuals involved in the care and education of children from birth to 12th grade, with and without disabilities, to create or enhance inclusive practices in their respective programs and communities in which they live.
Date: Thursday and Friday, October 27 - 28, 2016
Time: Day 1: 8:00 - 9:00am breakfast; 9:00am - 4:15pm keynote, lunch, and breakout sessions
Day 2: 8:00 - 8:30am breakfast; 8:30am - 3:45pm breakout sessions, lunch, and keynote
Location: Santa Clara County Office of Education registration available virtually or in person
For More Information: Visit the State Conference webpage by clicking here.
SAVE THE DATE! The Mystery of Risk: Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and the Vulnerable Child
Please save the date for this exciting opportunity to hear Dr. Ira Chasnoff speak on perinatal alcohol and substance exposure, as well as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and how to work with children and young adults affected by FASD. Ira J. Chasnoff, M.D., is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of child development and the effects of maternal alcohol and drug use on the newborn infant and child.
Date: Monday, November 21, 2016
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm
Location: Santa Clara County Office of Education, Eastside San Jose Room, 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA
For More Information: You can view the flyer by clicking here.
|
|
 |
NEWS, REPORTS, AND TRAINING
|
|
NEW!
Health4AllKids - Medi-Cal Enrollment Update
The Health4AllKids law to expand health coverage to all income-eligible children in the state regardless of their immigration status took effect in May 2016. Since then, over 133,000 undocumented children have newly enrolled in comprehensive Medi-Cal health coverage. For more information, see Children Now's infographic by clicking here. You can also send email to Isabel French, Communications Manager, at ifrench@childrennow.org, and visit the Children Now website at www.childrennow.org.
NEW! South Asian Center for Kids with Special Needs Facing Eviction
After 13 years at its headquarters in Milpitas, Jeena, the Bay Area's only organization serving South Asian American families of children with special needs, is facing eviction. You can read about Jeena's history and programs by clicking here.
NEW! Hey, You Got a Little Racism Stuck in your teeth
This article, which appears on the Nonprofit with Balls website, advocates using Jay Smooth's dental hygiene philosophy when it comes to talking about racism, and by extension, other forms of injustice. We have to stop thinking of prejudice the way we think about our tonsils: We get them removed, and that's it, we don't have to worry about them again. You can read more from author Vu by clicking here.
NEW! Understanding Bullying and Cyberbullying
Did you know that over 28% of students aged 12-18 have reported being bullied and over 43% have witnessed or experienced cyberbullying online? In response to this issue, OnlineSchools.org has created a new resource for bullying and cyberbullying in schools. You can review this resource by clicking here.
Webinar Recording: Coordinating Care for Children in Families with Complex Social and Health Needs-Research and Practice
The lives of children with chronic or complex medical conditions often are complicated by psychosocial issues and family problems such as poverty, poor parental health, and homelessness. These children with "social complexity" are among the most frequent and highest-cost users of health care services. Their social vulnerability presents a challenge to providing high-quality care. In this webinar, two leaders discussed their research and clinical experience with socially complex families. View the recording by clicking here.
STEM Internships Help Foster Youth Break into High-Tech World
The Chronicle of Social Change website featured the Foster Youth STEM and Work Readiness program, a collaboration between Teen Force and the Silicon Valley Children's Fund that lands tech internships for foster youth. As an interesting side note, TeenForce CEO, John Hogan, and the SV Children's Fund CEO, Elise Cutini, co-chair the Opportunity Youth Partnership, our collective impact project that is working to re-engage youth who are disconnected from school and work in Santa Clara County. You can view the article by Melinda Clemmons by clicking here.
Proceedings for the 2015 Symposium: Designing Systems That Work for Children with Complex Health Care Needs
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health in December sponsored a national symposium, "Designing Systems That Work for Children with Complex Health Care Needs." Experts from around the country discussed issues concerning the care for children with complex conditions, such as care planning and coordination, national health policy, self-management support, and financing. Read the new publication of the full proceedings that captures the discussions by clicking here.
Poverty and Child Health in the United States
Almost half of young children in the United States live in poverty or near poverty. The American Academy of Pediatrics is committed to reducing and ultimately eliminating child poverty in the United States. Poverty and related social determinants of health can lead to adverse health outcomes in childhood and across the life course, negatively affecting physical health, socio-emotional development, and educational achievement. You can read this first ever AAP policy statement on poverty by
clicking here.
The Place Where the Poor Once Thrived
San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, used to be the best place in the country for kids to experience a Horatio Alger, rags-to-riches life. Is it still? Some San Jose residents say that as inequality has grown in recent years, upward mobility has become much more difficult to achieve. You can read this article in The Atlantic by clicking here.
Kids Make Strides in Health Coverage But Over 1.5 Million Suffer Trauma
The 2016 California Children's Report Card has just been released, providing a close look at the current status of California kids. It assigns a letter grade ("A" though "F") to each of 31 areas key to children's well-being, including early learning, health, and K-12 education, to help state leaders make informed policy choices and make kids our top priority. The Report Card shines a spotlight on areas where California is not doing enough for kids. Unfortunately, in the area of childhood trauma the state received a Report Card grade of "D-", the report's lowest grade. California kids fared better in areas where lawmakers have focused attention and resources, such as preschool (B-) and health insurance (A-). In 2016, we want our state leaders to give kids all the support they need to grow up healthy and succeed! You can read the Report Card by clicking here.
California School Reform Is at a Key Moment for Success
This article was written by Ted Lempert, President of Children Now, for The Sacramento Bee. It discusses some of the challenges of Common Core testing and school accountability. If the K-12 accountability system isn't done right, kids will be shortchanged. Common Core standards are supposed to lift all students, but without a clear measuring system, we won't know if it's working. You can read the article by clicking here.
New Career Paths Open Up for Excited Learners
For Metropolitan Education District Superintendent, Alyssa Lynch, providing career technical education to high school students is an opportunity to turn them on to learning and maybe improve their lot in life. Lynch runs the publicly funded MetroED, which is composed of two schools - the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education Center and Silicon Valley Adult Education - which train high-school students who come part-time each day from six school districts to take elective classes for high-school credit that expose them to potential career pathways. You can read the complete article about MetroED in the Silicon Valley Business Journal by clicking here.
The Raising of America Series
This five-part documentary series explores the question: Why are so many children in America faring so poorly? What are the consequences for the nation's future? How might we, as a nation, do better? The series investigates these questions through different lenses: What does science tell us about the enduring importance of early life experiences on the brain and body? What it is like to be a parent today? And what policies and structures help or hinder the raising of healthy, happy, and compassionate children? The Signature Hour covers all three of these issues. The four subsequent episodes each dive in for a closer look. You can view the series by clicking here.
The Maze of Foster Care and Health Care
Confusion about government medical coverage and eligibility leaves many former foster youth nationwide dealing with bureaucracy and red tape. In California, the "Covered til 26" campaign run by Children Now uses social networking and other means of communication to try to locate foster youth, ages 18-26, in the state and make them aware they are eligible for the state's Medicaid program. You can read more about this health care dilemma by clicking here.
Dropouts: Innovative Online Schools Attract Santa Clara County Youth
This article in the San Jose Mercury News details the newly opened Opportunity Youth Academies that offer free online classes and guidance. The academies target the 8,000 youth, ages 16-24, in Santa Clara County who have dropped out of school but may want to earn their diploma. Students can work at their own pace wherever they want. You can read the article by clicking here.
PLAY 60, Play On Launched; $750k Community Grants Program Now Open
The 50 Fund and NFL Foundation launched the PLAY 60, Play On initiative funded in part by the NFL's $1M legacy grant. The program includes a $750k community grants program to create active and imaginative play spaces managed by KaBOOM!, half-day 'Football Extravaganzas' this fall for 1,000 youth, a youth worker training play program managed by Playworks, and a 30-day play challenge that will donate life-saving meals to severely malnourished kids managed by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. You can learn more about the program by clicking here. Also visit the initiative's new website at www.play60playon.org.
Terrific Wins for California's Foster Kids
Children Now worked with the Governor and State Legislature to pass legislation to provide support for, and protect the rights of, foster children and former foster youth. Highlights include legislation requiring that the educational rights of foster youth are made available through schools, that parenting foster youth aren't inappropriately labeled "at-risk parents," and that former foster youth can easily verify their status through the state in order to access services. To learn more, visit
www.childrennow.org.
Respect 360 eTraining
If you were unable to attend The Respect Institute's recent in-person trainings in Silicon Valley, no worries! You can get trained online to implement the Respect 360 Toolkit and/or Journal Program at your own pace by
clicking here.
You can also send email to Jessica Baker at jessica@therespectinstitute.org with questions or to inquire about partial scholarships.
Social and Emotional Learning and School Climate Resources
There has been a lot of attention recently on the importance of developing healthy school climates and fostering social and emotional learning in schools. If you are interested in resources for strengthening relationships, increasing student engagement, improving school climate, integrating SEL into professional development, or bridging Restorative Practices and Trauma-Informed approaches within your schools or organizations, visit the Scoop.it! page by
clicking here.
Keeping Your Children Safe
Young children are accidentally being exposed to marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs, with potential medical consequences. Prevention Partnership International's Advisory Committee, program developers of Celebrating Families!, recently put together a handout for parents, grandparents, and family members: Keeping your Children Safe - Alcohol, Prescription & Illegal Drugs, Marijuana & Other Hazards. You can view this handout by clicking here.
Feel free to copy and share it.
ONLINE TRAINING: Helping Parents to Feed Well so Children Can Eat Well
Parent educators can improve their knowledge of how child development influences child eating, learn how to help parents teach their child to be a healthy eater, and learn how to support parents in having enjoyable family mealtimes. You can view the four 30-minute videos created by Childhood Feeding Collaborative of Santa Clara County by clicking here. For more Information, send email to Carol Danaher at carol.danaher@phd.sccgov.org, or call (408) 793-2708.
New Standards and Tests Are Worth the Effort
This EdSource article discusses the new Smarter Balanced assessments, and the challenges and opportunities involved in these new tests for California students. The author, Gina D. Dalma, is the senior program officer at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and leads the Silicon Valley Common Core Initiative. You can read this article by clicking here.
Synchronizing Youth Programs in California Shows Signs of Success
This article from the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange describes Santa Clara County's innovative approach to better support youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. You can read this article by clicking here.
Dropping Out and Clocking In: A Portrait of Teens Who Leave School Early and Work
This article from the Urban Institute looks at teens who leave school early and are employed, and how they differ from other teens who leave school early. It discusses how working youth are contributing to their families' economic support system and how this potentially impacts government programs and policies. You can read this article by clicking here.
DOCUMENTARY: Poverty in a Land of Riches
This powerful documentary from CNN is about being poor in Silicon Valley. It is a "must watch" for anyone concerned about how low-income families make it in this county and its high cost of living. You can view the documentary by clicking here.
Child Abuse Prevention Resources for Schools
Please share this important information with parents, teachers, and school administrators about Kidpower's abuse, bullying, abduction, and other violence prevention resources for schools. You can check out this resource by clicking here.
Drugging Our Kids
This 5-part series by the Mercury News explores the excessive use of psychiatric drugs in the foster care system. Parts 1-4 examine how psychotropic meds are being used to treat troublesome behaviors, rather than to heal kids from the trauma they've suffered. Part 5 is a 40-minute documentary that takes viewers inside these children's lives and provides expert commentary. Check out the dedicated website by clicking here.
WEBINAR: 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 their experts. You can see a list of live webinars and register by
clicking here.
FIRST 5 Obesity Prevention Efforts
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) 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.
Early Literacy in California's Immigrant Families
Read 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
.
|
|
|
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
|
|
NEW! FREE Workshops to Prepare for the DMV Driver License Written Exam!
The Licencias.us project provides culturally sensitive instruction in Spanish to motivate and prepare adult undocumented immigrants to secure a California Driver License as they continue on the road towards citizenship.
The class is conducted in Spanish only, and participants must be 18 years of age or older to attend. A Social Security Card is not required to get a DMV license.
For More Information: Visit www.Licencias.US for the most current schedule of classes, which run September - November 2016. You can also register by sending a text message to 408-800-4458 with your name, cellphone number, and workshop dates that you will attend.
NEW! Back to School Lunchbox Lessons
With school back in session, check out handy "Lunchbox Lessons" filled with tips about how to fuel a child's belly and brain so that they are ready to learn! Through a partnership between the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Kaiser Permanente, and the Bay Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative, these helpful infographics provide healthy ideas for a smart start to school.
For More Information: Visit the resources page on the www.banpac.org website by
clicking here. You can also access each lesson to read more about:
Skipping the Sugar and Packing a Power Lunch,
Packing a Rainbow, and
Joining the Water Craze for Back to School Days.
UPDATED! 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 soon. Classes fill-up quickly, so let Kidpower know right away if you're interested!
Featured Workshop: Kidpower Safety and Self-Defense 'On Your Own' Workshop for ages 9-14 with their adults, which will be held in Palo Alto on
Sunday, October 2, 9:00am - 1:00pm. As they get older, kids face new challenges along with new opportunities for independence both in the "real" world and online. In this workshop, youth 9 - 14 years old together with their adults will practice "People Safety" skills for staying safe when by themselves, with groups of friends, or with adults, and practice self-defense skills for stopping emergencies.
For More Information: You can see the public workshop schedule and register by
clicking here. For questions, call (800) 467-6997 Ext. 1#, or send email to
safety@kidpower.org.
Stanford Pediatric Weight Control Program
Concerned about a child's weight? Based on nearly 20 years of research, the Stanford Children's Pediatric Weight Control Program is nationally recognized for its success rate of over 80% in achieving age-appropriate weight reduction. Parents lose weight too! Classes begin August/September 2016 at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, CA. You can watch a video to learn more about the program by
clicking here.
Freshest Cargo Mobile Farmers' Market
The Freshest Cargo Mobile Farmers' Market is a "farmers' market on wheels" that addresses issues related to lack of access to fresh, locally-grown produce in food desert communities in the Bay Area. We source produce directly from local farmers to sell at sites across the Bay Area. We keep prices low and offer the Market Match incentive, which matches CalFresh spending at our market up to $20 a day, to spend on fresh produce! You can get the updated route schedule by
clicking here.
For More Information: Visit www.FreshApproach.org.
UnBEETable Quality at Your Local Farmers' Market - CalFresh EBT Welcome!
Most Santa Clara County farmers' markets now accept CalFresh/EBT cards. You can swipe your EBT card at the market info booth and get CalFresh tokens to spend at the market. For every CalFresh dollar you spend at participating farmers' markets, you will receive a dollar-for-dollar match FREE up to $10 to spend on fruits and vegetables through the Market Match incentive program. Market Match makes farmers' market produce more affordable for families.
For More Information: You can view a list of all farmers' markets in the County, along with those that accept CalFresh and participate in Market Match, by
clicking here.
Better Health Pharmacy
Better Health Pharmacy offers free medications to any patient in need. The pharmacy targets patients who cannot afford their medications, including those who 1) have insurance but cannot afford the co-pays or deductibles, or 2) do not have insurance. The pharmacy is a new initiative of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, and is open
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4:00 - 8:00pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00am -1:00pm.
Location: 725 East Santa Clara Street, Suite #202, San Jose, CA
For More Information: You can access the full inventory on the pharmacy website at BetterHealthRx.org, or by calling (408) 794-0564.
Catch Up on the Latest SJUSD News!
San Jose Unified School District Trustee, Susan Ellenberg, publishes a quarterly newsletter to keep constituents and stakeholders abreast of important district news, as well as her thoughts on current issues related to education and equity.
For More Information: You can read the most recent edition by clicking here.
CalFresh Application Assistance: Same Day Service
Community members now have faster access to CalFresh Benefits at 5 locations (listed below) around Santa Clara County! Eligibility workers are stationed at 6 Emergency Assistance Network Agencies (EANs) alongside Food Bank representatives to assist people with CalFresh. In 1-2 days, community members can be screened, apply for CalFresh and have their County interview. If approved, a client could pick up their EBT card on the same day at the Social Services Agency or the next business day at the EAN agency.
Locations:
(1) InnVision, Palo Alto - 33 Encina Avenue, Palo Alto, CA; Wednesdays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; drop-ins only.
(2) St. Joseph's Family Center - 7950 Church Street, Gilroy, CA; Mondays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; for an appointment, call (408) 842-6662.
(3) Sunnyvale Community Services - 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA; Mondays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; for an appointment, call (408) 738- 4321.
(4) Community Services Agency of Mt. View & Los Altos - 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View, CA; 1st and 4th Thursdays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; for an appointment, call (650) 968-0836.
(5) West Valley Community Services - 10104 Vista Drive, Cupertino, CA; 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 10:00am - 7:00pm; for more information, call (408) 255-8065.
(6) Salvation Army - 359 N. 4th Street, San Jose, CA; Thursdays, 8:00am - 3:00pm; for an appointment, call Food Connection at 1-800-984-3663.
English as a Second Language Classes
These ESL classes are offered at no charge. If you are 18 years or older, you can join the classes to learn reading, spelling, and literacy. The classes are open entry, so you can start at anytime.
Dates and Times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 - 11:30am and/or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 - 7:30pm
Location: 749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Call (408) 213-0961.
Calling All Youth-Based Program Agencies
Pacific Housing, Inc. is looking for partnerships
with youth-based program agencies to provide services for residents of affordable housing in East San Jose.
For More Information:
Visit
www.pacifichousing.org
. Send email to
mmaldonado@pacifichousing.org or call (916) 638-5200, x205.
Join The Children's Movement
Children Now is the leading nonpartisan, umbrella research, policy development, and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children's health, education, and child well-being in California and creating national policies that support child development. Children Now also leads The Children's Movement of California, a grassroots network of more than 1,300 business, education, parent, civil rights, and faith-based, community and multi-ethnic organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, working together to make children a priority in public policy-making.
For More Information: Visit
www.childrennow.org. Main office: 1404 Franklin Street, #700, Oakland, CA 94612; (510) 763-2444.
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, this program offers both non-competitive and competitive programs. The 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. The 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.org. You can get to the toolkit by clicking here. If you have questions, send email to Neha Singh Gohil, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, at nsgohil@siliconvalleycf.org.
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
G2G Facebook page
.
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
mishat@healthtrust.org or call
(408) 513-8716.
New Teacher Intern Credential Program: Education Preparation for Inclusive Classrooms
In Fall 2014, 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 two 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 the Inclusion Collaborative website by clicking here.
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
sunny@hkidsf.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.
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 Program
Did 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 Maury Rosas at
maurice.o.rosas@kp.org. 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
parentproject@da.sccgov.org.
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.
|
|
|
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
NEW! Be Part of the Santa Clara County Youth Task Force
You can be a voice for the children and youth of Santa Clara County! Make a difference by applying for and joining the Santa Clara County Youth Task Force (YTF), which is composed of young people, ages 14 - 18, and is the official youth-led commission for the County of Santa Clara. The YTF strives to improve children's lives by reviewing and analyzing policies and programs that impact children and youth, providing informed advice to local policy-makers and supporting community service activities throughout the county. If you are a high school-aged youth who resides and goes to school in Santa Clara County, you can fill out an application and be appointed by your Board of Supervisors Representative. YTF members are non-paid volunteers, and the time commitment is approximately 15 - 20 hours per month.
For More Information: If you want to be an important voice to policymakers and decision-makers in Santa Clara County, apply for YTF by clicking here.
UPDATED! Yes We Can...Read!
Become a reading mentor for two Kindergarten and 1st grade students today at Dorsa and San Antonio Elementary Schools in East San Jose. During the school day, you choose a one-hour weekly time slot, Monday - Friday, between 8:30am - 1:30pm, that works best for you. Your commitment of just one hour per week will improve their reading readiness, increase their confidence and self-esteem, and instill in them a love of learning.
For More Information: If you are interested in our program or would like to receive more information, contact our Family Literacy Coordinator, Keishla EchevarrÃa, at
kechevarria@gfsfamilyservices.org.
Make a Difference...BE A MENTOR
|
|
(1) Bright Futures' mentors support highly challenged freshmen at Yerba Buena High School and WC Overfelt High School to set and achieve meaningful goals for their future. Join them on a journey of self-discovery!
For More Information:
Call (408) 218-3963, or send email to mentor@BrightFuturesSJ.org. Visit www.BrightFuturesSJ.org.
(2) iMentor pairs juniors and seniors at James Lick High School with college-graduate mentors to help them successfully make the leap from high school to college. The time commitment is just one email per week and one two-hour in-person meeting per month. If you have time for one Happy Hour a month, you have time to be a mentor! You can sign up for an orientation/training by clicking here.
For More Information: Send email to Nate at nfalkner@iMentor.org. Visit www.iMentor.org.
Be an Educational Surrogate for Foster Youth
Would you like to help students in foster placement, but are unsure how to help? The Santa Clara County Office of Education Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program is recruiting volunteer Educational Surrogates, and providing all necessary training.
For More Information: If interested, please contact Shannon McIntosh, SCCOE Foster Youth Services Liaison at (408) 453-6998, or send email to Shannon_McIntosh@sccoe.org.
The Beat Within Is Seeking Volunteer Facilitators
Since 1996, The Beat Within has been committed to its mission to provide incarcerated youth in the juvenile justice system and beyond with a one-of-a-kind forum where they can write about the things that matter to them, explore how they have lost connection with those things they value, and consider how they might re-connect to positive situations in their lives through the power of the written word and visual art. Volunteer facilitators are needed to support this transformative work inside Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall every Thursday evening from 7:00 - 9:00pm.
For More Information: Send email to the Program Director, Lisa Lavaysse, at llava@thebeatwithin.org.
Be a Child Advocate!
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley is recruiting volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to work one-on-one with foster children and be a mentor and their voice as they navigate the dependency system. We train and support our CASAs as they work to support foster children.
For More Information: To learn more and sign up for an introductory session, visit
www.bemyadvocate.org.
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.
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
michael_garcia@sccoe.org
, 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
alopez@janorcal.org
, or call (408) 217-7906.
Be a Mentor for Elementary School Children
Collaborative Community Program (CCP) is seeking mentors for children at 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.
|
|
|
COLUMN: THE BEAT WITHIN
|
|
The Beat Within is a San Francisco-based non-profit that has been committed since 1996 to providing incarcerated youth inside Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall with a weekly writing and conversation workshop every Thursday evening. Below is another piece written by an incarcerated youth that was featured in their award-winning publication,
The Beat Within.
The Beat
I've been here for a year and I still ain't been in The Beat... I guess they can't publish that gangster shhh...
Anyway, I'm off to prison next month. I can't wait to be free, even though I'm going to be twenty-two when I get out. Some of my boy's are never going home, so I'm grateful for this opportunity. I got a lot of time to make up when I get out. College is something that I can't wait to get into when I get out. My goal is what I strive for, what pushes me. 2020 is my year I take my life back. Until then, I'm in the box, learning from my mistakes, and bettering myself as a person.
-Bareface
|
|
|
