First 5 delivered COVID supply help |
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First 5 Kern held a final distribution event for their programs in October. Thirty-one programs were able to come out to this event.
Three dozen First 5 Kern-funded programs and over 200 child care facilities participated in six different distribution events, which first started back in April as providers were struggling with lockdowns and limited availability of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment. The supplies were provided by funds from First 5 Kern, First 5 California and SupplyBank.org.
Many of the supplies will end up in the hands of families throughout Kern County, passed along by programs such as family resource centers and home-visiting programs.
Kern County Superintendent of Schools and Community Connection for Child Care helped organize three child care distribution events that targeted facilities that stayed open during the lockdowns. They often catered to families of essential workers.
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Below is the tally of supplies distributed across the county with First 5 funds.
- 3,064 bottles of liquid hand soap (395 gallons)
- 216 gallons of bleach
- 3,546 bottles of all-purpose cleaner (596 gallons)
- 158,000 pairs of gloves
- 22,350 kids masks
- 72,900 adult masks
- 6,322 bottles of hand sanitizer (365 gallons)
- 3,425 packs of baby wipes
- 4,650 cases of diapers
- 1,032 boxes of tissues
- 8,320 rolls of toilet paper
- 540 rolls of paper towel
- 625 lbs of laundry detergent
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Lead poisoning awareness and testing your children |
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Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week just wrapped up (Oct. 25-31) but awareness of the dangers that lead poses to young children is a year-round issue.
In children, lead poisoning can cause developmental delays, damage to the brain and nervous system, as well as learning and behavior problems. Most children who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick. No safe exposure to lead has been identified.
First 5 Kern's website has several downloadable PDFs on lead poisoning dangers, and the Kern County Department of Public Health has an assortment of resources as well.
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A test is available for lead poisoning; speak with your child's doctor about it if you have any concerns or if you suspect your child has been exposed. |
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Did you know...
Most children with lead poisoning do not appear sick and do not have any symptoms.
The only way to know if there is lead in your child's body is through a blood test. This test is covered by most insurance plans as well as Medi-cal.
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First 5 Kern annual report and audit both released |
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First 5 Kern has released a pair of annual reports in the recent weeks. The Annual Report to the California Children and Families Commission (First 5 California), and the independent auditor's report both recap the 2019-2020 fiscal year in varying detail.
The Annual Report outlines the programs funded by Proposition 10 dollars locally, compiles the number of children and families served, and highlights select efforts that demonstrate efficient use of funding. The auditor's report demonstrates First 5 Kern's fiscal responsibility over the past year.
The First 5 Kern website includes an array of annual reports to the state and greater community, outlining the funding from Proposition 10 and how those funds are spent.
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First 5 Kern sponsoring Safer California Unintentional Injury Prevention virtual conference |
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The California Coalition for Children's Health and Safety is holding the Safer California Unintentional Injury Prevention conference, online, November 17 & 18.
The two-day event will feature keynote presentations on topics such as building local coalitions, vehicle and traffic safety, the role of youth in preventing injury, and more. Workshops on the leading causes of death and hospitalizations for children are planned throughout. Government leaders, community builders and pediatricians are on the agenda to speak.
First 5 Kern is sponsoring two sessions during the event, both on Nov. 17: Safe Sleep, SIDS and Sleep Suffocation Prevention; and Prevention in an Era of COVID and Other Disasters.
The event is hosted by the California Coalition for Children's Safety and Health, and both days of the conference offer a full day of presentations, guest presenters and breakout sessions. Individual registration is $50. Click the link below for more information.
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33rd Annual Holiday Cottage for foster children goes virtual |
For 32 years, the Holiday Cottage has been an annual Christmas event in Kern County.
Each year, gifts are purchased by members of the community, fulfilling the wishes of children in foster care during the holidays. But to make things easier and safer for everyone this season, the Holiday Cottage has gone virtual!
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Donations will be collected online through the Kern Partnership for Children and Families, and the Department of Human Services staff will make the purchases for the children. And while any amount helps make a difference, they are asking for $50 to fulfill one child's wish this holiday season.
The deadline to donate is November 20th. Click below to watch a short video about the Holiday Cottage, or to make a donation.
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Did you know...
Last year, over 900 foster youth in Kern County received gifts through the Holiday Cottage.
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Greenfield H.E.L.P.S. and East Bakersfield Community Collaboratives renew their accreditation |
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The Greenfield H.E.L.P.S. Collaborative and the East Bakersfield Community Collaborative both announced they have renewed their accreditation from the Kern County Network for Children (KCNC).
The KCNC operates an accreditation program for collaboratives throughout the county, in an effort to highlight the groups' long-standing relationship with their community, their track record for seeking and maintaining partnerships with local agencies, and identifying their respective community's needs. Greenfield H.E.L.P.S., which is organized by the Greenfield Family Resource Center, is additionally accredited as a Local Community Collaborative with Integrated Services.
There are nearly 20 community collaboratives throughout Kern County listed with KCNC. Click the link below for more information.
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NOR Nurturing Parent classes starting Nov. 12 |
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NOR's Neighborhood Place will be conducting court-mandated Nurturing Parenting/Chronic Neglect virtual parenting classes, starting on November 12.
This is a 12-week course that will be done every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Students must have access to their emails, and either have a laptop, phone, or desktop computer, along with internet access to participate in the virtual learning sessions. The same rules apply as in-person class students. Students must have a perfect attendance to successfully complete the program and receive a Graduation Certificate.
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Employment attorney explains expansion to California's Paid Family Leave |
The new expansion to California's Paid Family Leave law takes effect on January 1, 2021. You may know that it protects you from being fired by taking leave, and you may know the employee threshold has dropped to five, but there is more to understand.
This interview from Legal Talk Today discusses the nuances of California's law - one of the strongest in the nation - and explains how it is funded, who gets to use it, and much more.
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United Way hosts Family
Fall Fest
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First 5 Kern was happy to support the United Way's Family Fall Fest, which took place Halloween afternoon.
Volunteers handed out thousands of free books and candy to kids who drove through with their families.
Events like this that specifically cater to children 0-5 and their families are eligible to receive supporting funds from First 5 Kern. Click here for more information.
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