DECEMBER 2019
MVCCP 9th Annual Conference held at CSUB
The Medically Vulnerable Care Coordination Project (MVCCP) of Kern County held its 9th annual conference in early November on the campus of CSU Bakersfield.

The MVCCP began over a decade ago as an effort to help parents of medically fragile children connect to various service providers in our community - from specialists and primary care physicians, to technology providers and hospitals.

The MVCCP's monthly workgroup meeting brings actual cases to the table anonymously, along with care providers and public agencies, and connects the dots for families to get them the treatment they need. The annual conference reinforces these efforts on a large scale, and with nearly 150 attendees, and helps strengthen the system of care for some of the most at-risk in our community.

Additionally, the MVCCP is planning its first resource fair for families in the spring (information below). If your agency or business would like to participate in the resource fair, or the Medically Vulnerable Care Coordination Project's regular meetings, contact First 5 Kern.
Did you know...
Individuals representing over 20 different agencies and programs participated in the annual MVCCP conference last month.
 
Help Me Grow Kern County introduced

Help Me Grow Kern County was introduced in early November. The early identification and intervention program aims to increase the number of developmental screenings in our community, and connect families to services should they be requested.

More information can be found at HelpMeGrowKern.org, and parents can use the online links to two different Ages & Stages Questionnaires to receive an initial assessment on their child's early development. If areas of concern are identified, a Help Me Grow care coordinator will work directly with families to receive additional resources. The questionnaires can also be done over the phone by calling 2-1-1 Kern County. The service is available in English and Spanish.

Help Me Grow Kern County is a project of First 5 Kern, in collaboration with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and 2-1-1 Kern County.


Diana Navarro, senior research analyst for First 5 Kern, appeared on Telemundo's Suelta la sopa recently to discuss Help Me Grow Kern County.
First 5 Kern Commission meeting on December 4
The First 5 Kern Commission will next meet on Wednesday, December 4 at 2 p.m. at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools headquarters in downtown Bakersfield.

On the agenda is posted on the First 5 Kern website.
Preparing families and kids for emergencies

Between planned power outages and natural disasters, Kern County has become only too familiar with the need to prepare for the unexpected. But it's not easy, especially if your household includes young children or those who depend on electricity for medical devices that are critical for every day life.

Pacific Gas & Electric utilizes a Medical Baseline Form which could be of critical importance for those dependent upon technology. This allows for lower rates on monthly bills, as well as special notification of power shutoffs.

For families with young children or childcare centers, below are resources to help explain and prepare young ones for emergencies.
  • Ready.gov Planning with Pedro, preparedness games, printable emergency lists
  • Sesame Street an emergency prep kits, games, downloadable apps, printable family guides and activities
  • American Academy of Pediatrics offers resources on preparing your childcare setting for emergencies
  • Santa Monica city website features a downloadable kids preparedness activity guide
Four members of Gov. Newsom's Early Childhood Policy Council have ties to First 5
In the wake of California Governor Gavin Newsom's $2 billion budgetary commitment to early learning and childhood development, he recently named 20 members of the community to an Early Childhood Policy Council, several of which have ties to various First 5 commissions.

The council will be chaired by California’s Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and is scheduled to hold at least four public meetings per year as well as prepare an annual report.
Among those appointed include Mayra E. Alvarez, First 5 California Commissioner and president of The Children’s Partnership; former First 5 California Commissioner Lupe Jaime-Mileham, who is currently senior director of early care and education at the Fresno County Office of Education; Kim Pattillo-Brownson, vice president for policy and strategy with First 5 LA; and former First 5 California Deputy Director of Programs Sarah Neville-Morgan, currently a deputy superintendent at the California Department of Education.
'Tis the season...
Greenfield's Happy Feet Program returns

The Greenfield Family Resource Center (GCFRC) has kicked off its annual Happy Feet Program.

In it's 20th year, the GFRC hosts a field trip to a local shoe store for kids in need from the Greenfield area. Their goal for 2019 is to raise $7,000 to fund the program, and they are looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor the program.

Contact Jordan Green , the GFRC supervisor, for more information or to donate.
Holiday Cottage supports foster youth in Kern County

The Holiday Cottage is now open, providing an opportunity for gift-giving to reach foster youth in Kern County.

Located at 2681 Calloway suite 314, individuals can go in and select a Christmas wish from an area foster child off the tree, and pick up one extra gift this holiday shopping season.

The Holiday Cottage is open from Dec. 2-16, from 10a - 7p.
Kern River Valley FRC hosting Holiday Parent Cafe

The Kern River Valley Family Resource Center (KRV FRC) is hosting their second parent cafe the first week of December.

On Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m. in the Woodrow Wallace Elementary School cafeteria, the Parent Cafe will offer a light dinner, hot cocoa, a free stuffed toy and a picture with Santa for the kids.

To register or for more information, contact the KRV FRC at
(760) 379-2556.
Letters to Santa program underway in Taft

The West Side Recreation and Park District is making sure the kids in Taft can get their Christmas wishes to Santa.

Their annual Letters to Santa program has a deadline of Dec. 10, and they will deliver letters to the North Pole as well as bring return letters to children.

For more information about their Letters to Santa promotion, click here .
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