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Bold Steps for Children Newsletter
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It is budget and legislation season in California. Your voice for children is important, yet it can be hard to keep up with everything that is happening in Sacramento.
An easy way to solve this problem is to join the Children's Movement, an initiative of Children Now. The Children's Movement will send you information about upcoming bills and budget issues and makes it easy for you to sign on if you choose. To do this, go to
www.ChildrenNow.org, and click on the
Take Action tab at the top. You will be glad you did!
In partnership,
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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FEATURES
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2017 Sacramento Bus Trip
for Education
Join Supervisor Dave Cortese for the 15th Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education! This event brings education advocates, parents, students, community leaders, and residents from Santa Clara County to the state's capitol to meet with state officials and legislators, learn about K-12 public education and higher education issues, and share their ideas and concerns. Last year, more than 200 people filled four buses and spent the day meeting with a dozen state officials, senators, and assembly members. The Bus Trip is sponsored by Supervisor Cortese's office and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, and is FREE for everyone. It also includes a light breakfast and lunch.
Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Time: The buses will leave at 6:30am and return at around 5:00pm
Location: Buses depart from and return to the VTA Transit Center at Eastridge Mall, 2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA
For More Information: To register, please visit the Sacramento Bus Trip for Education page by clicking here. For further information, please contact staff member, Mario B. Lopez, at (408) 299-5030, or via email at Mario.Lopez@bos.sccgov.org.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Food Connection Application Assistance Partners
Did you know that households you serve may be missing out on needed benefits and free food? Increase the support you provide to your clients by becoming a Food Connection Application Assistance Partner. Help community members you serve to enroll in CalFresh and free grocery programs. We will train and support you! Together we can create the hunger-free community we all want to see.
The 6-hour training is offered monthly and is held at Second Harvest Food Bank, 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA. The date and time are flexible. For more information, contact Jaime Rios by sending email to jrios@shfb.org, or calling (408) 266-8866 x 419.
California Learning Communities for School Success Program
Apply Now to Improve School Climate!
A new grant program, administered by the State Department of Education, is now available to local school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to implement research-based strategies to improve school climate and mitigate the school-to-prison pipeline. Grant funds are to support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based, non-punitive programs and practices to keep the state's most vulnerable pupils in school.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Resource Family Approval and Family Finding for Teenagers
Robert Friend, the Director of the National Institute for Permanent Family Connectedness at the Seneca Family of Agencies, will present a two-hour lunchtime (BYOL) training about the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process and the best practices for family finding and placement of older youth.
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm (BYOL)
Location: Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium, 70 West Hedding Street (1st Floor), San Jose, CA
For More Information: You can register for the event by clicking here.
La Caminata! Community United for a Safe Intersection
Beginning in April, the Valley Palms Neighborhood Association is kicking off their "La Caminata" campaign for an enhanced crosswalk at a major intersection in their neighborhood, ensuring a safer walk to school for their children. The culminating event is "La Caminata" where the Moms of the VPNA and their many partners, including Neighborhood Safety/Services Unit (NSU), Project Access, City of San Jose Department of Transportation, invite the greater community to join their kids on a walk to school and to cross the intersection of Waverly and Lanai Avenues.
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Time: 7:00am
Location: Valley Palms Apartments, 2155 Lanai Avenue, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Contact Aundraya Martinez by calling (408) 278-5917, or send email to aundraya.martinez@pro.sccgov.org.
MBK: SJ Community Dialogue
You are invited to attend an MBK: SJ Community Dialogue meeting, which will help us gather your input, share perspective, and update you about our current progress on this initiative. The meeting agenda and additional materials will be made available in the days preceding this meeting. Please RSVP if you are available to attend. We greatly value your thought partnership and hope you or a representative from your organization can attend.
Date: Friday, April 28, 2017
Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm
Location: San Jose City Hall (Wing Rooms), 200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA; parking is available in the lot below City Hall and will be validated.
For More Information: You can get more details and register by clicking here.
Nature or Nurture: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Vulnerable Child
Santa Clara County Substance Use Prevention division cordially invites you to hear Dr. Ira Chasnoff present on subjects, including Maternal Consequences of Prenatal Drug Use, and Prenatal Alcohol and Drug Exposure: The Growing Child.
Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Location: 2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Check out the event flyer by clicking here. You can register for the event by clicking here. For question, contact Ashley Boleware by calling (408) 794-0673, or send email to Ashley.boleware@hhs.sccgov.org
30th Annual Challenge Team Champions for Youth Breakfast
Challenge Team is a community-based, non-profit partner of students, school districts, police departments, community organizations, parent groups, and health service groups collaborating to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug-related problems in our community. This breakfast will feature Champions for Youth, Judy Crates and MVPD Officer Bobby Taylor, and also Youth Champion, Megan Tsern of Los Altos High School.
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Time: 7:00 - 8:30am
Location: Michaels At Shoreline, 2960 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA
For More Information: You can get details and register for this event by clicking here.
The Well-Balanced Student
At this Well-Balanced Student community event, Challenge Success will share practical, research-based strategies to help parents navigate our fast-paced, competitive culture. We believe that when parents learn together about the importance of a balanced life, communities become stronger, families prioritize well-being, and kids are healthier and more engaged in school.
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Location: St. Martin of Tours School Auditorium, 300 O'Connor Drive, San Jose, CA
For More Information: You can get details and tickets for this event by clicking here. For questions, send email to parented@challengesuccess.org.
Santa Clara County ACEs Network Kick-Off
Please join this county-wide effort to discuss the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how we, together, can integrate trauma-informed and resilience-building practices into work, family, community, and individual lives to transform our county to one of hope and resilience for everyone. This event is sponsored by the ACEs Connection Network.
Date: Monday, May 8, 2017
Time: 9:00 - 11:00am; 8:30am Registration
Location: SSA Auditorium, 333 West Julian Street, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Contact Charisse Feldman by calling (408) 937-2238, or send email to charisse.feldman@phd.sccgov.org.
7th Annual Symposium on the Status of Children's Health
Healthier Kids Foundation is hosting its 7th Annual Symposium on the Status of Children's Health in Santa Clara County. This year's Symposium will emphasize the importance of engaging in "Healthier Earlier" strategies, and will feature Keynote Speaker, Secretary Diana Dooley. Diana Dooley was appointed Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency in December 2010 by Governor Jerry Brown. She leads 13 state departments within the Agency, chairs Covered California (the Health Benefit Exchange) and serves as chair or member of numerous other boards and commissions.
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm; avoid traffic and arrive early for check-in, breakfast, and networking at 8:00am.
Location: Microsoft Corporation, Building 1, 1065 La Avenida Street, Mountain View, CA
For More Information: You can register by
clicking here. For questions, send email to Laura Clendaniel at
laura@hkidsf.org.
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NEWS, REPORTS, AND TRAINING
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NEW! Elevating Policies to Support Children and Families
At the first-ever Aspen Forum on Children and Families in January, Ascend released
Children and Families at the Center, a new report with recommendations and opportunities to move the needle for children and families. The report is a culmination of multiple strategy sessions and individual contributions from 200 diverse leaders and reflects the insights of a broad range of sectors. Central to the ideas and recommendations put forth is a set of guiding principles: set and track outcome goals for children and families, engage parents and families, embrace equity and inclusion, and leverage public-private partnerships. Accompanying the report are also three policy briefs on Career Pathways, Child Care and Early Childhood Development, and Family Health and Well-Being. You can review the report by
clicking here.
NEW! Why the Proposed Medicaid Per Capita Caps and Block Grants Matter for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Nearly half of children with special health care needs rely on Medicaid. Edwin Park of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities provides an analysis of the consequences of changing Medicaid to a block grant or a per capita cap program in a guest post for the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. You can read the post by clicking here.
NEW! Starting Now Policy Vision
Despite mounting research in brain science, economics and social science pointing to the importance of investing in the early years, California has yet to make significant investments in a comprehensive system for infants and toddlers in the state, leaving an alarming number of children behind. This lack of foresight puts our state's economic and civic future at risk. Children Now recently published a report,
Starting Now: A Policy Vision for Supporting the Healthy Growth and Development of Every California Baby, which provides California's leaders with a policy road map for supporting our youngest children from the very start. You can read the report by
clicking here.
Local Control Funding Formula and Advocating for Early Childhood Funding
California's school funding law, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), gives school districts flexibility -- and an unprecedented opportunity -- to spend district dollars on early childhood education. It also provides parents, community members, and early childhood champions a chance to weigh in on how districts spend their resources. To help local advocates garner much needed funding for early childhood programming, Children Now created a step-by-step guide to help advocates contact their local district leaders and encourage them to fund early childhood programming in their local school districts. You can check out the guide by clicking here.
Medicaid: A Lifeline for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Public health insurance programs like Medicaid cover nearly half of the population of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) nationally. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released an article outlining the important role that Medicaid plays in the lives of these children and their families. The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health highlights specific data on California's one million CSHCN, along with national comparisons. You can read the article by clicking here.
Protecting the Affordable Care Act
Today in California, many families and children are fearful for their futures. Federal rhetoric and actions, including threats to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and dramatically change Medicaid funding, have the potential to be incredibly detrimental to California's children and families. Now, more than ever, we must stand together to protect California's kids. We recently sent a message to The Children's Movement of California to let them know that Children Now will continue to closely monitor the federal situation and do all we can to coordinate The Children's Movement of California whenever we can to protect ACA. Children Now also shared a new infographic with the Children's Movement, which details the importance of maintaining health care coverage for former foster youth. You can review the infographic by clicking here.
Administrator of the Year
Children's Agenda Vision Council Member, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, received recognition from the Association of California Schools Administrators as the Region 8 2017 Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year 2017. You can read more about it by clicking here.
New Opportunity Youth Academy (OYA) Classroom
The Opportunity Youth Academy (SCCOE) recently held a ribbon-cutting celebration for their new classroom opened at ConXion on Story Road in San Jose. This new classroom is part of OYA's work to re-engage young adults ages 16 - 24 who are not in school and do not have a high school diploma. Countywide, there are now 5 OYA classrooms. You can get more information by clicking here.
Teaching Social Safety Skills to Teens and Adults
Would you like to teach social safety skills to teens and adults? Learn how from the global nonprofit leader in social safety and self-defense skills training for all ages and abilities! Until April 1, we're accepting applications to participate in our Teenpower/Fullpower Core Program Training (CPT). CPT is primarily for people who want to become certified with our organization. We also consider applicants who want to use our program in their personal and professional lives without becoming certified. CPT participants receive hands-on training and guidance teaching social safety skills to teens and adults of all ages and abilities. Classes will be held from April 27 through May 2, 2017. You can read more about Core Program Training by clicking here.
New Data on Children with Special Health Care Needs
Kidsdata.org has just released a wide-ranging dataset on children with special health care needs in California counties and cities. The new datasets include local estimates covering demographics, insurance coverage, impact on families, and quality of care. You can read the blog post by
clicking here.
Local Control Funding Formula Budget Accountability
As part of our implementation efforts around the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Children Now is developing a number of "LCFF Toolkits" to support local advocates and school district leaders. The first toolkit is designed to aid and encourage districts to be as transparent as possible about how they are allocating funds in their district budgets.
Children Now's 2016-2017 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being
On November 15, 2016, Children Now released their County Scorecard, an interactive online data tool that provides snapshots of children's well-being in each of California's counties. The Scorecard, along with the accompanying informational videos, illuminates children's issues by region so that local leaders can prioritize - and work together to improve - children's health, education, welfare, and economic well-being. You can review the Scorecard and related resources by
clicking here.
2016 Truancy Report Released
The Attorney General's In School + On Track 2016 report was recently released; you can view the press conference by
clicking here
. The 4th edition of this annual report raises awareness about the critical importance of elementary school attendance. You can review the report by
clicking here
.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
.
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. You can get details and join the movement by
clicking here.
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. To get more details, 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.
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! To get details, visit
www.kidpower.org.
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 2018.
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
.
Respect 360 eTraining
You can get a copy of the Respect 360 Toolkit or complete eTraining to implement it at http://respect360.org.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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Kinder Camp for Children, Ages 3 - 4 Years Old
Kinder Camp is for children, ages 3 - 4 years old, to explore, create, have fun, and grow. There will be unique themes for each of the 10 weeks of summer camp. Activities incorporate educational features disguised in fun and entertaining activities and projects.
Dates: Runs weekly from June 5, 2017 through August 11, 2017
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm daily (morning and afternoon extended care available)
Location: Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Call Rhonda Vargas at (408) 794-7532.
APRIL CLASS! 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:
4-hour Kidpower Safety and Self Defense Workshop for 6-12 year-olds with their adults, which will be held in Palo Alto on
Saturday, April 22, from 9:00am - 1:00pm.
Families practice personal safety skills together for handling every day emotional and physical safety problems and 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 almost 20 years of Stanford's research, the Pediatric Weight Control Program has a success rate of over 80% in helping children and teens achieve age-appropriate weight reduction. Parents lose weight too! Classes are held at 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, CA. To hear more about the program from past participants, watch this video by
clicking here.
Silicon Valley Medical-Legal Partnership Expands Hours, Locations, and Eligibility
The Silicon Valley Medical-Legal Partnership provides free legal services to children and youth up to age 21 to address legal issues that affect health. Legal issues that can be addressed include accessing special education services in school, guardianships, substandard housing, school expulsions or suspensions, emancipation, custody and paternity questions for teen parents, immigration questions for people up to age 21, and more. Children and youth are eligible for this program if they are patients of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, including all clinics.
Locations:
(1)
VHC Bascom - 750 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 230, San Jose, CA;
Mondays from 4:00 - 7:00pm.
(2)
VHC Downtown - 777 E. Santa Clara Street, 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA;
Wednesdays from 2:00 - 5:00pm.
(3)
VHC Gilroy - 7475 Camino Arroyo, 2nd Floor, Gilroy, CA;
2nd and 4th Thursdays from 2:00 - 4:00pm.
For More Information: Families may call the intake coordinator at (408) 350-7260 to speak with the intake coordinator, who is bilingual in Spanish. Families may also ask their medical provider at SCVMC to make a referral to the program. Visit the legal assistance website by clicking here.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
.
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.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Become a reading mentor for two Kindergarten or 1st grade students today at Dorsa and San Antonio Elementary Schools in East San Jose. There are mentoring sessions available Monday through Friday, between 8:30am - 1:30pm. 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 the program or would like to receive more information, email the Family Literacy Coordinator, Keishla EchevarrÃa, at
kechevarria@gfsfamilyservices.org
or call (408) 347-7892, ext. 305.
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.
Make a Difference...BE A MENTOR
There are two great mentoring programs in the East Side Union High School District. See how you can be part of these game-changing opportunities for our students, especially those who deal with some very challenging circumstances.
(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.
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COLUMN: THE BEAT WITHIN
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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.
Recognizing The Wrong
For many years of my life I had refused to blame myself for my wrong doings. For some reason, it was always the teacher's fault, the other kid's fault, the victim's fault for leaving their doors unlocked. It wasn't until recently I learned to tell myself that every bad thing I did was of my own will.
When you blame others for things you do, how are you ever going to fix yourself? If one doesn't see a problem, then there is nothing to be fixed. But there is a problem and if it goes unfixed the person will follow a path of destruction and evil. Eventually, it will lead to some form of trouble, so those of you that are still unable to blame yourself for you own actions you need to learn to do so for the sake of your own well-being.
-C, Santa Clara
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