On August 13, 2021, Lincoln Unified School District’s (LUSD) First 5 Preschool Initiative program was awarded a High 5 Award during the August First 5 San Joaquin Contractor’s Meeting. The award recognized LUSD for its commitment to maintaining and providing a high-quality preschool program during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted 2020-2021 school year. Throughout the year, program staff engaged preschool students and provided support to families. Program staff-maintained 100 percent enrollment during distance learning and completed developmental screenings and referrals for all students. The award commended LUSD staff for completing 100 percent of all 2020-2021 scope of work milestone targets including achieving full preschool enrollment while adapting to the evolving circumstances of the 2020-2021 school year.

The Raising Quality! IMPACT 2020 Family, Friend, and Neighbor initiative (IMPACT 2020) seeks to pair grandparents caring for their grandchildren (ages 0 to 5 years) with a community-based organization. This collaboration helps to provide services such as: guidance and coaching; access to a variety of health and social services; and strategies to enhance the grandparent's caregiving skills. F5SJ acknowledges the important roles that grandparents play in a child’s life – caregiver, mentor, and teacher. F5SJ is currently partnering with APSARA, El Concilio, Mary Magdalene Community Services and Catholic Charities. For more information about the IMPACT 2020 program, please contact F5SJ at sjckids@sjgov.org or (209)-953-5437.

The San Joaquin County Office of Education and the Children’s Services Coordinating Commission

(CSCC) invite non-profit (501c3) agencies/organizations, local education agencies, and governmental agencies to apply for one-time funding for a specific event, activity, or project targeting at-risk children and families. Funds may be awarded at full or partial amounts requested. Amount requested may not exceed $5,000 per application. Click on the following for the application and for the itemized budget form. All applications must be submitted no later than October 15, 2021.

CalNonprofits announced round two of the California Small Business and Nonprofits COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and $1.5 billion in funding available. There is a good chance qualifying nonprofits, with annual revenue of less than $2.5 million, may receive a grant if you apply. CalNonprofits is hosting four webinars in September to answer your questions about the program, and to go through the application process with an emphasis on how nonprofits can fit into the application form. If you have not received a CA Relief Grant, do not miss out on your opportunity to apply! For more information click here.

The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood supports development projects and promising research with the potential to significantly enhance the physical and mental health, safety, nutrition, play, social integration, and/or quality of life of children, from birth through seven years of age. To that end, the foundation is inviting Letters of Intent in the following categories: Early Childhood Welfare, Early Childhood Education and Play, and Parenting Education. Letters of Intent must be received no later than September 30, 2021. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. For complete program guidelines and application procedures, see the Caplan Foundation website.

San Joaquin County Human Services Agency is holding a Food for You distribution at 20 different sites through the month of September to eligible San Joaquin residents. Items to be distributed include shelf-stable canned vegetables, fruit, meat, and dry foods such as rice or pasta. For more information click here.

The Family Resources Center provides support to families working through the day-to-day challenges of raising children with special needs. They offer services such as parent-to-parent support, support groups, information and referrals, lending library, workshops, and much more. For more information click here. 

Aging and Community Services provide several services and programs that assist older adults

and community members, of all ages, remain in their homes and thrive. Services vary from assistance with utility payments, resume building and interview skills, summer youth program, and in-home assistance, making it possible for older adults to age in place. These are just some of the programs we offer. Please see the Aging & Community Services flyer for additional information or call (209) 468-1104, Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm to speak with

a staff member who can answer your questions. For more information on Community Services programs click here.

Safe Kids, in partnership with the California Highway Patrol, is holding a Car Seat Check Up Event on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 10:00am – 2:00pm at Walmart on Hammer Lane in Stockton. There will be certified technicians that will teach on how to install a car or booster seat. For more information, click on one of the flyers. English, Spanish

Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) annually sponsors September's Baby Safety Month by providing safety tips and resources to educate parents and caregivers on the safe selection and use of juvenile products. For more information on safety resources click here.

The Well Together San Joaquin campaign campaign focuses on community support, resources, and tools to help individuals deal with the emotional wellness challenges that are faced every day.

Tips on how to build or find a support system, behavioral services, relaxation routines, and home visiting resources are amongst the tools available to help individuals when life has those stressful moments. For more information on self-care resources click here.