From 4Cs - Celebrating Togetherness

From 4Cs

February 2021

A Note From Our Executive Director

Dear friend of 4Cs,

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, when our safety means remaining physically separate from others outside our households, February gives us many opportunities to celebrate and remember what makes us, our cultures, and our communities unique. This February ushers in Black History Month and Lunar New Year, and reminds me how lucky we are to live in such a vibrant, diverse area full of (virtual) events, varying cuisines, and reminders of our past and future everywhere we turn. Here at 4Cs of Alameda County, our diversity and pride in celebrating our differences and collective mission run deep. I think back almost a year ago to when our offices were brimming with staff and clients. When I would overhear conversations between our community members and team members in the 15 different languages spoken by my colleagues. When our staff lounge tables would be full of delicious treats from cultures around the world - especially during days of celebration and upon a staff's return from a trip abroad. I can still taste the delicious sweets dropped off every year around Lunar New Year celebration by more than one of our generous Chinese family child care providers. Potlucks before staff meetings provided another glimpse into the cultural heritages of our incredibly diverse staff.

While this year looks different, it has given me an opportunity to look even more closely as my own ancestor's traditions, rich history, and their significant impact on who I am today. I am grateful to be spending unexpected time with my college-aged daughters, celebrating their own multi-cultural backgrounds, and reflecting on how grateful we are to be surrounded by a rainbow of family, friends, faith, and community.

Be well,

Renee S. Herzfeld

Executive Director

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Resources and News

COVID-19 Vaccine Update for Child Care Providers

Beginning on February 8th, child care workers who live or work in Alameda County became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective for adults and is one of the best strategies to keep our community safe from the COVID-19 virus. Here you will find step-by-step instructions about how to sign up to receive the vaccine, as well as helpful resources that explain the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.

Information regarding vaccinations is rapidly evolving and you will likely receive multiple communications from 4Cs over the next two weeks. Please continue to check your email and connect with us for updated information. You can also find up-to-date information and resources at https://bit.ly/3cPj94R.

Actualización de la Vacuna COVID-19 para Proveedores de Cuidado Infantil

A partir del 8 de febrero, los proveedores de cuidado infantil que viven o trabajan en el condado de Alameda comenzaron a ser para recibir la vacuna COVID-19. La vacuna es segura y eficaz para los adultos y es una de las mejores estrategias para mantener a nuestra comunidad a salvo del virus COVID-19. Aquí, encontrará instrucciones paso a paso sobre cómo registrarse para recibir la vacuna, así como recursos útiles que explican la seguridad y eficacia de la vacuna.

La información relacionada con las vacunas está evolucionando rápidamente y es probable que reciba varias comunicaciones con 4Cs durante las próximas dos semanas. Continúe revisando su correo electrónico y conéctese con nosotros para obtener información actualizada. También puede encontrar información y recursos actualizados en https://bit.ly/3cPj94R.

托兒服務提供者COVID-19疫苗更新資訊

從2月8日開始，在阿拉米達縣生活或工作的托兒服務提供者將有資格接種COVID-19疫苗。這種疫苗對成年人來說是安全而且有效，可以保護我們社區免受COVID-19病毒侵害的最佳預防策略之一。這裡您將找到有關如何註冊接受疫苗的分項說明，以及解釋疫苗安全性和有效性的相關資訊。

有關疫苗接種的資訊正在迅速進行。在接下來的兩周內，您將會收到從4Cs來的多個郵件通知。請繼續檢查您的電子郵件，並與我們的 R&R 聯繫以瞭解更新的資訊。您還可以在此處得到更新資料https://bit.ly/3cPj94R.

Parent Cafés Now Enrolling

Join Us for an Upcoming Parent Café

Parent Café events are a time for parents to connect with others and relax. Both cafes will focus on the same topic of Environmental Vitality. Join in on the conversation about how our surroundings influence our well-being. We will be focusing on how our home and work environments, as well as neighborhoods mirror our vitality and values during this time. Parent Cafes are an open facilitated conversation that will feature questions around Environment vitality to guide the discussion.

Environmental Vitality (English)

Wednesday, February 24th@ 2pm-3pm

Meeting links will be provided upon registration. We will also be offering incentives to participating registered families.

Únase con nosotros para el próximo Café para padres

Los eventos de Café Para Padres son un momento para que los padres se conecten con otros y se relajen. Los cafés para Padres se enfocarán en el mismo tema de Vitalidad Ambiental. Únase a la conversación sobre cómo nuestro entorno influye en nuestro bienestar. Nos centraremos en cómo nuestros entornos de hogar y trabajo, así como los vecindarios, reflejan nuestra vitalidad y valores durante este tiempo. Los Café para Padres son una conversación facilitada abierta que presentará preguntas sobre la vitalidad del medio ambiente para guiar la discusión.

Vitalidad ambiental (español)

Lunes 22 de febrero de 2 p.m. a 3 p.m.

Los enlaces a las reuniones se proporcionarán al registrarse. También ofreceremos incentivos a las familias registradas participantes.

Estás Invitado: Papás Unidos · You're Invited: Papás Unidos

¡4Cs está emocionado en asociarse con Family Paths para nuestra primera serie de padres, Papás Unidos! Esta serie se ofrecerá solo en español. ¡Juan Cuba facilitará nuestra próxima clase virtual de paternidad de 6 semanas donde discutiremos la hombría, la crianza compartida, la comunicación positiva, el desarrollo infantil y más! Solo para Papás y figuras paternas. Jueves de 6 a 8 pm a partir del 25 de febrero de 2021 al 1 de abril de 2021.

4Cs is excited to partner with Family Paths for our first ever Father series, Papás Unidos! This series will be offered in Spanish only. Juan Cuba will be facilitating our upcoming virtual 6-week fatherhood class where we will be discussing manhood, co-parenting, positive communication, child development, and more! For fathers and father figures only. Thursdays from 6-8pm starting February 25th 2021 – April 1st 2021.

Registrarse · Register

Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, so 4Cs of Alameda County is partnering with the Alameda County Public Health Department’s Office of Dental Health to spread the word about caring for your child’s teeth. As they say, it all begins with your child’s first tooth!

Here are some great tips for keeping that little smile bright:

Wipe your infant’s gums with a soft cloth twice a day and wean them off the bottle by age 1.
Offer fluoridated tap water or milk in sippy cups. Limit fruit juices and avoid sugary drinks altogether.
Brush your baby’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss once daily between any teeth that touch.
Take your little one to the dentist by their first birthday and every 6 months after that.
Don’t share spoons or cups with your baby, as cavity-causing germs can be passed on.
Offer healthy snacks, such as vegetables, fruit, cheese, and yogurt. Limit candy and sticky, starchy snacks.

Families in 4Cs’ monthly diaper programs were given kits in January with tooth care supplies for the whole family, provided by the Office of Dental Health. For more information about programs available for children and adults, visit dental.acphd.org.

Help Your Relationships THRIVE!

Last week, we kicked off a special Relationship Bootcamp version of our free THRIVE! series for parents. All are welcome to join us for an evening of reflection and self-care this upcoming Tuesday and for the next few weeks. Register and find out more about the topics that will be covered at https://www.4c-alameda.org/parents/communitycloset.

La semana pasada, lanzamos una version de series especial de campo de entrenamiento de relaciones de nuestro programa gratuito ¡PROSPERE!. Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a nosotros para una noche de reflexión y cuidado personal el próximo martes y durante las próximas semanas. Regístrese y obtenga más información sobre los temas que se tratarán en https://www.4c-alameda.org/parents/communitycloset

Free Tax Preparation and Filing: News for 4Cs VITA Site

Our VIRTUAL VITA tax service is OPEN.

Due to COVID-19, and to ensure your safety and well-being, our tax preparation service will be 100% virtual. 4Cs of Alameda County's VITA site is a member of United Way Bay Area’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition, and this year we’ve partnered with Code for America to offer on-line filing via the https://www.getyourrefund.org/4cs secure platform. Our team of IRS-certified tax preparers will prepare your return while communicating with you throughout the entire process.

You will fill out a quick online questionnaire and upload documents using your computer or smart phone, and our 4Cs IRS-certified tax preparers will do the rest.

Once we receive your information and documents. You will receive an email and/or text message from a VITA team member to schedule a date and time to contact you via phone to discuss your tax return. Throughout the process, you’ll have conversations with your tax preparer. We can prepare your taxes if your family earned $66,000 or less in 2020. If you have any questions please contact VITA Site Coordinator Alicia Broussard at 510 690-2141 or vita@4c-alameda.org.

How to Reach Us

4Cs of Alameda County's offices are currently physically closed but agency services are being offered virtually until Alameda County lifts the shelter-in-place restrictions due to COVID-19. As always, you can find out more information about 4Cs on our website, Facebook Page, and via Twitter. 4Cs Staff Directory can be found here. You can also contact 4Cs of Alameda County at (510) 582-2182 and via email at info@4c-alameda.org.