First 5 Association organizes statewide Advocacy Day to discuss policies for young children with California leaders
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Tuesday, April 27 was the First 5 Association's annual Advocacy Day, held remotely via Zoom for the second year in a row.
Advocacy Day is an opportunity for First 5 Commissions throughout the state to meet with State Senators and Assemblymembers to discuss policies that impact children throughout California.
First 5 Kern was able to meet with Assemblymembers Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) and Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) on Tuesday. Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) is also on the schedule for next week.
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They each represent a portion of Kern County within their districts.
Among the conversations were:
- legislation extending continuous Medi-Cal eligibility and EITC increases,
- expanding paid family leave wage replacements
- potential support for family/childhood mental health action and more.
Executive Director Roland Maier and Communications Specialist Kevin Bartl represented First 5 Kern during the meetings. To learn more about the First 5 Association and their advocacy efforts, visit their website below.
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What is the
First 5 Association?
The First 5 Association of California is a nonprofit membership organization that supports the 58 First 5 county commissions in building the early childhood systems and supports needed to ensure California’s young children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.
Our vision is that, one day, California’s success will be measured by the well-being of its youngest children.
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Child care providers around California talk about the COVID vaccine
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“I’m getting vaccinated so I can invite families back into the classroom,” says preschool
provider Desiray Taylor.
Over the past year, child care providers have put their lives on the line for the children and families they serve. Now, all individuals ages 16 and older in California are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, including essential workers like early child care and education providers.
It’s normal to be nervous about a new vaccine, but all of the vaccinations available are safe and effective at preventing serious illness — and getting vaccinated can help you and your community return to normal life.
Child care providers from around the state, like Desiray, share why they got vaccinated in a new series of videos from First 5 Association and First 5 California. They share reasons like protecting their community, keeping their students and families safe, and helping to end the pandemic.
Click the thumbnail above to watch the videos and hear their stories.
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Behind the numbers...
Percent of Kern County's eligible population that has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, one of the lowest rates in the state. Kern ranks 50th out of 58 counties in California.
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Mountain Communities Family Resource Center announces a Grand Re-opening and monthly collaborative meetings
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The Mountain Communities Family Resource Center (MCFRC) in Frazier Park has announced they are now welcoming the public back for in-office appointments.
Additionally, they have announced the relaunch of the Mountain Communities Collaborative, which held their kick-off meeting on April 28 via Zoom.
Call the MCFRC for information about their services or about participating in the collaborative meetings, at 661-245-4303. Their website is linked below.
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Join First 5 California, the First 5 Association of California, and the California State Library, in celebration of Día de los Libros on Friday, April 30.
Special appearances by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris, “Fresh Off the Boat” TV star Hudson Yang, and his father, journalist Jeff Yang.
The event starts on Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
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Kern Valley Aquatics Program resumes summer lessons
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Registration is now open for the Kern Valley Aquatics Program, which has announced details on several swimming programs.
Among those are First 5 Kern-funded learn to swim programs, with Parent/Child swim lessons, and lessons for children 3 and older.
Space is limited. Learn more at KVAP.org.
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Still time to collect EITC credits
The deadline for filing for taxes has been extended to May 17, and First 5 Kern would like to remind everyone about several qualifying credits available to parents with young children.
The California Earned Income Tax Credit and the federal EITC, along with California's Young Child Tax Credit, are three possible ways that parents can either reduce their tax bill or receive a bigger refund.
The average credit for qualifying families is $3,000, but some families could receive as much as $8,000 when taking advantage of all three allowances.
A text message system is set up to help inform you of your eligibility. Text EARNITF5KC to 211-211 and follow the prompts. There are links to further information and you can find out how to receive free assistance in filing.
For more information, click the links below.
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The Mountain Communities Family Resource Center operates their own 501(c)3.
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The Bakersfield Homeless Center operates the Discovery Depot Child Care Center
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Women's Center High Desert operates the Women's Shelter Network.
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Annual State of Babies Yearbook is unveiled
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The State of Babies annual yearbook is a deep-dive into data across the United States, with details on each state.
It's an interesting read on the current state of affairs for the 14 million infants and toddlers in our country.
The State of Babies annual yearbook is a project of Zero to Three and Think Babies.
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Delano School Readiness students in Delano recently participated in drive-thru dental screenings, courtesy of the Kern County Children's Dental Health Network. Both programs are funded in part by First 5 Kern and were able to integrate their services to provide for the children. Pictured is Aria Cabunoc being checked out by Corey Keathley at Nueva Vista Language Academy.
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California Department of Public Health offering SIDS training
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The California Department of Public Health's Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (CDPH/MCAH) Division is hosting a series of trainings on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The training is offered through a series of webinars, starting in June.
This training focuses on providing information to professionals who encounter SIDS/SUID cases in their jobs, to allow them to better understand the experience of parents and families affected.
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The kitchen is a great place for kids to learn from a very young age. Measuring ingredients, using utensils, following instructions, even the science between hot and cold, are all opportunities for them to learn - and to get messy. This is a quick, easy, and tasty recipe for your family to try at home!
Ingredients:
- Apples
- Cream cheese
- food coloring
- sprinkles
Click the link below for the full recipe!
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