MAY 2021
First 5 Association organizes statewide Advocacy Day to discuss policies for young children with California leaders
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.
Child care providers around California talk about the COVID vaccine
“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.
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.
Mountain Communities Family Resource Center announces a Grand Re-opening and monthly collaborative meetings
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.
Kern Valley Aquatics Program resumes summer lessons
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.
The Mountain Communities Family Resource Center operates their own 501(c)3.
The Bakersfield Homeless Center operates the Discovery Depot Child Care Center
Women's Center High Desert operates the Women's Shelter Network.
Community Action Partnership of Kern operates 2-1-1, Oasis FRC, East Kern FRC and Help Me Grow Kern County.
Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault operates the Small Steps Child Development Center.

CASA of Kern County operates the Infant and Toddler Program.

Annual State of Babies Yearbook is unveiled
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.
They said it...
In the community...
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.
California Department of Public Health offering SIDS training
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.
Kid-Friendly Recipe: Apple donuts
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!