First 5 Express brings the Talk. Read. Sing. message to Kern County
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Visits to childcare centers in Mojave, Boron on the schedule
The First 5 Express is rolling through Kern County in September, with visits to a pair of childcare centers. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Express will visit the East Kern Family Resource Center's childcare center in Mojave. On Thursday, Sept. 5, it's a visit to the Wind in the Willow preschool in Boron.
Talk. Read. Sing. is the primary theme of the First 5 Express, and they engage children in activities featuring books, music, dancing, and more. The Express will visit over 30 counties throughout the state this Fall, with the potential to return to Kern County in the Spring. If your program is interested in hosting the Express in the future,
please reach out to us.
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THREE BRAINY BIRDS BOOKS AVAILABLE
Three Brainy Birds, a bilingual book published by First 5 California, makes a great first book to your child's library. First 5 Kern has copies available for FREE! Stop by our office at 2724 L Street in Downtown Bakersfield to pick up a copy for a little one that you would like to inspire to talk, read, and sing!
DID YOU KNOW...
First 5 California
is also governed by a commission, and works with county First 5s to develop statewide initiatives and promote collaboration between counties.
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First 5 at the California State Capitol
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First 5 Kern
Executive Director Roland Maier
traveled to Sacramento earlier this month to attend a hearing by the California State Assembly's Select Committee on Early Childhood Development, of which
Assemblymember Rudy Salas
(D-Bakersfield) is the chair.
The hearing was centered on early intervention and developmental screenings for children. Mr. Maier spoke to the committee during public comment, as did other First 5 representatives.
First 5 Association Policy Director Margot Grant-Gould
presented during the hearing.
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West Side Recreation and Park District now hosting community resource center in Taft
The West Side Community Resource Center in Taft has a new name and location.
Renamed the West Side Outreach and Learning Center, it is hosted by the West Side Recreation and Park District. They will provide direct family support services through case management, while promoting parents’ knowledge of developmental milestones and norms. They also provide early learning through center-based and kindergarten transition activities.
For more information, they can be reached at 661-763-4246.
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Independent Evaluation Committees reviewing proposals
The proposals submitted by agencies throughout the county for the 2020-2025 Funding Cycle are now in the hands of Independent Evaluation Committees (IECs) for review. Their role is to assess each program's requested funding, scope of work and the communities' needs in order to make a recommendation whether or not to fund their efforts.
The IEC's reports will go before the Project Review Committee and, eventually, the First 5 Kern Commission will make the final determination which programs will be funded.
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Did you know...
First 5 Kern lends financial support to over 40 programs throughout Kern County, with a focus on programs supporting children aged 0-5, and their families.
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Theresa Ortiz moving into consultant role
It was announced in August that Theresa Ortiz would transition out of her full-time role with First 5 Kern. The (now former) Chief Evaluation and Program Officer will continue to assist on a limited basis with evaluation as needed, but will no longer be a day-to-day member of the office. She has a long history with First 5 Kern, having joined the staff in 2011, and prior to that she provided evaluation support with an outside agency. We thank her for her efforts in helping kids and families around Kern County!
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FIRST 5, PARTNERS LAUNCH "ALL TOGETHER NOW"
In mid-August, First 5 joined with fellow early childhood advocates to launch
All Together Now
,
a new campaign and rallying cry to amplify the need to make policies, practices, and systems better for California’s kids.
All Together Now’s website contains updates on action being taken to ensure young kids are prioritized in policy and budget decisions. Priority areas for the campaign include developmental screening, early intervention, paid family leave, home visiting, and early learning.
Sign on to receive
All Together Now updates
, and stay current on new resources and opportunities to push out early childhood messaging.
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First 5 Kern on social media
Follow First 5 Kern on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for updates on funded programs, kids news around Kern County, and First 5 initiatives statewide.
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Learn more about First 5 Kern
Three documents available on our website provide a great background on First 5 Kern's mission, history and results throughout the years.
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Once each fiscal year ends on June 30, data is analyzed, reviewed, and certified. The impact of our funded programs can be shared, and this report includes selected highlights from our partners throughout the community.
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Much has happened since the passage of Proposition 10 in 1998, and this program was put together to briefly show some highlights of our funded programs and the impact that Prop. 10 funding has had in Kern County over 20 years.
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The Strategic Plan for the 2020-25 funding cycle was used by agencies seeking support through our Request for Proposals (RFP). It includes key measurements that must be delivered for those who receive funding from First 5.
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