FEBRUARY IS
SAFELY SURRENDER BABY MONTH
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In 2001, in an effort to reduce the number of infant abandonments, California passed SB1368 to provide a way to safely surrender a newborn baby.
The law allows for babies to be surrendered at any hospital, or any fire station, within 72 hours of being born. The process is totally confidential, and the parent can safely surrender their baby without fear of prosecution and without even sharing their identity.
In the first year of the law, 20 babies were found abandoned throughout the state. By 2016, only three were found abandoned, while 74 babies were safely surrendered. Here in Kern County, 71 babies have been safely surrendered since 2006.
Historically, illegally abandoned babies - often left alone in the elements, on doorsteps, garbage cans or even dumpsters - stand less than a 50/50 chance of surviving. From 2001-2016, just 72 of the 175 abandoned babies on record in California have lived.
For babies safely surrendered, however, it's an opportunity for a new life. Parents are given 14 days to reclaim the child, should they have a change of heart. But after those 14 days have expired, the adoption process begins immediately and can move swiftly.
"Most of these infants are placed directly into waiting families already approved for adoption,"
says Heidi Carter-Escudero, outreach and communications coordinator with the Department of Human Services. "
For these adoptive families, these babies are received as a true blessing, especially since the path to finalizing these adoptions is typically very short compared to adopting through foster placement."
First 5 Kern will spend much of the month of February visiting local Family Resource Centers and Community Collaboratives sharing information and awareness about the law. The Kern County
Department of Human Services website has more information on the Safely Surrender Baby law, with details about what happens during the process.
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DID YOU KNOW...
From 2006-2017, only three safely surrendered babies were reclaimed within the 14-day window in Kern County. However, in 2018 alone, three surrendered babies were reclaimed.
Statistics courtesy of the Kern County Department of Human Services
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First 5 Kern's 20th Anniversary Event
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It's been 20 years since the passage of Prop 10, and we welcome the community to join us for a 20th anniversary celebration!
We will take a look back at some great programs we have worked with, welcome guest speakers, and discuss the future for First 5.
The event is March 6 from 9-10 a.m. at the Superintendent of Schools building (1300 17th St.) in downtown Bakersfield.
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First 5 Kern Commission meeting scheduled for Feb. 6
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The public is invited to learn more about First 5 Kern at the upcoming bi-monthly Commission meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Kern County Superintendent of Schools building at 1300 17th St. in downtown Bakersfield.
We will have a guest presentation from Dr. Jianjun Wang, Ph.D., a professor of research design and statistics at CSU Bakersfield, to discuss the First 5 Kern 2017-18 Annual Report.
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First 5 Kern to attend Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Summit
First 5 Kern will be among a group of 10 collaborating partners county-wide to attend the 2019 Child Abuse and neglect Prevention Summit for a two-day event this week.
Only 20 county applications were selected from around the state, and Kern County was among them for its cross-sector collaboration and leadership commitment on the issue. The event is hosted by the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention, and Strategies 2.0. The attending collaboration includes public and non-profit organizations from Kern County.
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FIRST 5 KERN
Funded Program Spotlight
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Kern County Children's Dental Health Network
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One of the longest standing programs funded by First 5 Kern is the Kern County Children's Dental Health Network (KCCDHN). Originally launched in December, 2001, the KCCDHN continues to this day to have a strong impact on the lives of children 0-5 in our community.
The program teams up with preschools and elementary schools throughout the county, visiting the schools and performing services that include an oral screening, fluoride and sealant applications, as well as a prophylaxis - all at little or no cost to the parents. Children identified as needing further treatment are then scheduled to meet with Dr. Purdy DDS or Dr. Bang DDS in their respective offices.
"We see great evidence that the program is having an impact on kids' lives," said Susie Rodriguez, the lead hygienist with KCCDHN. "Our re-screens on follow up visits with schools typically show about a 45% decrease in plaque. And over 1,800 kids have been screened already this school year."
February is recognized as National Children's Dental Health Month, and the KCCDHN has an entire month of educational outreach planned for the coming weeks. Twelve different schools are on the calendar for February alone.
The KCCDHN is a program of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. For more information,
visit their website.
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First 5 agencies throughout the state have been getting some pub lately. Below are a handful of such articles...
- First 5 LA Director of Communications Gabriel Sanchez recently penned a column on Fox & Hounds, calling attention to the rise in "Parent-Lawmakers" throughout the state.
- This article addresses how declining smoking rates are impacting First 5 and what the future may hold in that regard.
- This article stresses that although expanding early childhood education is important, it's equally important that such an expansion focuses on quality. First 5 is referenced in the article, and for good reason. Early childhood education has been a First 5 initiative for most of its existence.
- And in case you ever wondered why Googling "First 5 Orange County" never yielded any results, here you go. Congrats on the name change and new logo!
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Young children are hardest to count in census, says AAP
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They point to many factors, such as transitional housing, joint custody situations or households in which children reside with relatives.
Data from the census is responsible for some $76 billion from 16 large federal programs earmarked for the state of California, according to a George Washington University study. Much of that spending directly benefits children. Meanwhile, it's estimated that every missed person cost nearly $1,900 in federal dollars.
The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund has issued a
report on what effective census outreach needs to look like to get an accurate census for counties throughout the valley. Stay tuned for info on how we can make sure everyone in Kern County is counted.
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First5Kern.org focus:
Parent/Caregiver Resource Library
The Parent/Caregiver Resource Library on First5Kern.org features a page that is sure to be helpful for parents and parents-to-be.
On it, you will find links to resources for parenting information, links to local family resource centers (FRCs), health care, water safety, safe sleep, and a slew of other topics for folks caring for little ones.
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Kid-Friendly Recipe...
Strawberry Cheesecake Dip
The kitchen is a great place for kids to learn. Measuring ingredients, using utensils, following instructions, even the science between hot and cold, are all opportunities for them to learn. This is a quick, easy, and tasty recipe for you to try at home with your kids!
Ingredients:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For topping:
Strawberry jam or finely chopped strawberries
Directions:
- In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and yogurt until smooth.
- Mix in the powdered sugar, strawberry jam, and vanilla extract.
- Transfer to a serving dish and lightly swirl in additional strawberry jam or top with finely chopped strawberries.
- Serve immediately.
Serves: 6-8
Share pics of you and your kids making this recipe with us on Instagram (@First5Kern) or
facebook (/First5Kern).
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About First 5 Kern
First 5 Kern works to strengthen and support the children of Kern County, 0 to 5 years old, and their families, by empowering providers through the integration of services with an emphasis on:
- Health and Wellness
- Parent Education and Support Services
- Early Childcare and Education
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Special thanks to
Vecteezy
for assistance with graphics
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