JULY 2018
FROM OUR CEO, KELLY O'LAGUE DULKA
"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." 
 — Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
In reflecting on the words of Nelson Mandela, I can't help but think of the people who are entrusted, every single day, to provide care for our nation's children. As a mom, I can tell you that some of the most significant people in the lives of my young adult children are those who helped me raise them! I am forever indebted to the young women who loved and cared for my kids when I had to be away from them.

Mandela's words serve as a challenge. We must ask ourselves, how do we treat our children? What do our answers say about our society's soul?

Recent census data indicates that over 60% of children under 5 years of age are in some type of regular child care arrangement. Child care providers play a huge role in shaping the future of our society. Despite their critical role, recent economic reports indicate that 53% of child care professionals earn so little that they actually qualify for public assistance programs. Let that sink in. These remarkable professionals, these women (mostly), who rock our babies to sleep and keep our toddlers safe, these women who love and protect our children as ferociously as we do are so poorly compensated that they can't make ends meet.

The child care providers I know don't complain. They consider it a privilege to partner with parents to raise our society's next generation. What a blessing these women (mostly) are! We, at Child Care Links, salute them and thank them for the work they do every day!

* * *

At Child Care Links, our mission is to provide resources that strengthen and support children and their families. Every day we work to ensure that children have what they need to thrive. We can't do it alone. We need your help!

  • Donate your gently used clothing, toys or kids' books.  Donations can be dropped at our Oakland and Pleasanton offices during normal business hours or by special arrangement on weekends.  
  • Organize a diaper drive with your friends, family, church group, sports team, or work colleagues. In the past year, we provided over 180,000 diapers to families in need. That's a lot of diapers! And, as one of our donors says, "Babies keep pooping." We always need size 4, 5 and 6 diapers. It's fun to know that you're changing diapers and changing lives!
  • Volunteer at Child Care Links. Serve on our board of directors, help in the diaper pantry, join our fundraising committee. There are so many ways to get involved. If you'd like more information, email me at kdulka@childcarelinks.org. I look forward to hearing from you!

Child Care Provider
Trauma-Informed Care Training and Peer Support

Beginning August 1st, on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, Child Care Links CEO, Kelly O'Lague Dulka, MSW, will facilitate training and coaching sessions for Child Care Providers and others who work with children focused on Trauma-Informed Care. Trauma-Informed Care is an organizational framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma.

Almost half the nation's children have experienced at least one or more types of serious childhood trauma, according to a new survey on adverse childhood experiences by the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Child Care Providers are in a unique position to help children heal. Join us as we explore topics such as: recognizing the signs of trauma; how trauma impacts children; how unrecognized trauma can impact physical and psychological well-being in children; and, how to incorporate effective strategies to help children heal.

Child Care Providers are encouraged to attend both sessions each month.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHILD CARE LINKS
July 19
VAK Theory/ Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligences
July 23
Gardening in a Child Care Center
July 26
Infant/Toddler Perceptual and Motor Development
Christie Verarde,
BAS Trainer
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM


Margie Costello,
LPC Instructor
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Donnamarie Fuller
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

WHAT'S GOING ON AT CHILD CARE LINKS?
Car Seat Giveaway
On June 13th and 26th Child Care Links provided 15 license exempt providers with FREE car seats!

Many license exempt providers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, or neighbors)are left without a car seat during the day, and unable to take the children in their care to the zoo, park, or to other engaging activities. With generous funding from  First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Links facilitated a 2 day car seat giveaway where license exempt providers learned about car seat safety, and information on how to install car seats correctly.  

In Alameda County, over 95% of children's car seats are not used, or installed incorrectly.

To have your car seat inspected, contact 925.417.8733 today! 
Diaper Pantry
Diapers cost on average of $150 per month, per child. Every Tuesday & Thursday, Child Care Links opens it's doors to provide a month supply of diapers and wipes to families in our community.

In addition to diapers and wipes, we provide a FREE book for each child! We know that from birth to age five are the most important years for brain development. Our goal is to get age-appropriate books into every home in Alameda County!

Interested in donating diapers or books?

Contact  925.417.8733 today!
Food Pantry
Child Care Links is excited to announce the launch of our Food Pantry!

Families now have the opportunity to receive a full bag of food items, including cereal, pancake mix, crackers, peanut butter, and more! 

Don't go hungry, visit our Food Pantry Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8am - 5pm.
Wish List
Diapers
Pull-Ups
Baby Wipes
Baby Formula
Children's Books
Gently Used Baby Clothes
Gently Used Toys
Canned Vegetables
Peanut Butter
Cereal
Pancake Mix
Syrup
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Fruit Snacks
Cereal Bars

A Special Thank You to Our "Diaper Darlings" and all others who have contributed to our pantries whether it is time, energy or money-- We couldn't do it without YOU!
Afsheen Afzal ~ Salvation Army ~ Julie Ashmore ~ Chaitali Bandyopadhyay ~ Denise Berkowitz ~ Julie Camberg ~ Amy Carr ~ Eric & Paulette Carr ~ Carrie Chambers ~ Kristen Charlson ~ Kate D'Or ~ Ian Davidson ~ Chuck Deckert ~ Delia & Charlie DeLaRosa ~ Nicole Denney ~ Camille Denzel ~ Shelley Despotakis ~ Annie Dulka ~ Kathy Dulka ~ Kelly O'Lague Dulka ~ Craig Eicher ~ Amanda and Victor Ferrer ~ Free to Be Me Child Care ~ Lisa Garcia ~ Lori and Paul Garcia ~ Marty Garcia-Cotter ~ Kristen Geller ~ Erin Green ~ Kristie Gross ~ Noelle Hannula ~ Hindu Community and Cultural Center ~ Jamie Hintzke ~ Angela & Garrett Holmes ~ Jennifer Hosterman ~ Amanda Houston ~ Tami Ingram ~ Karen Kallestad-Miller ~ Kimberly LaRosa ~ LaDonna and Gary Leach ~ Sarah Mann ~ Ken Mano ~ Debbie Marshall ~ Michelle McDonald ~ Stephanie McGough ~ Kimberly McLellan ~ Tiana Megofna ~ Amy Miller ~ Mollie Molin ~ Alice Nakanishi ~ Dorian Nasby ~ Debbie Nemecek ~ Renee Palm ~ Woody Queen ~ Heather Rizzoli ~ Rotary Club of Pleasanton ~ Bonnie Russell ~ Gwen Salzborn ~ Susan Schall ~ Linda Smith ~ Jennifer Solari ~ Bob Tedrick ~ Stefanie Tomlinson ~ Arany Uthayakumar ~ Dawn Wilson ~ Carly Yamaichi ~ Lea Yancey ~ Kathy Young ~ Deborah Barker ~ Bibek Das ~ Delia Delarosa ~ Kate D'or ~ Kendra Frerich ~ Charlotte Guinn ~ Rebecca Hopkins ~ Tami Ingram ~ Ruth McAninch ~ Stephanie McGough ~ Dezarae Patterson ~ Kathleen Redmond ~ Janel Sloan ~ Marissa Stein ~ Marjorie Wong-Gillmore ~ Diane Anderson ~ Ryan Duncan Anderson ~ Shelly Mercer Despotakis ~ Satabhish Aeka ~ Mary Baptist ~ Nicola Brown ~ Marilyn Mattoon
If you would like to donate diapers,
please email diapers@childcarelinks.org


For Our Child Care Providers
Participate in a Study on Healthier Child Care Centers and Homes-- Receive $100!
Are you an early childhood educator working in a licensed child care center or family child care home serving children ages 2-5 years?
You are invited to participate in a 6-month study (a total commitment of 5 hours) about healthier child care -- You can receive up to $100 for your participation.
For Our Parents
5 Ways to Avoid Summer Slacking
Who doesn’t love summer? BBQs, ice cream, vacation and…no alarm clocks! Just because school’s out doesn’t mean it’s all junk food and brain drain. Check out some easy, fun ideas on how to keep the entire fam active and engaged this summer!
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Livermore Health Fair
August 15th, 2018
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Rockin' Saturday
Rockin' Jump
Until July 21st, 2018
Family Storytime!
Livermore Public Library
Fridays, 10.15am - 10.45
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