From 4Cs
June 2020
A Note From Our Executive Director
Dear friend of 4Cs,

We are now closing in on 100 days into the Alameda Public Health Department's initial shelter-in-place order. I know that this new normal for me has been quite the adjustment. Working from home the majority of the time with my college-aged daughters, partner, and furry friend around makes for a change of pace compared to the comfort and camaraderie of the 4Cs of Alameda County's offices. Speaking of our offices, we are anxious to reopen soon but want to be sure we take every precaution to make our space as safe as it is welcoming for our staff and clients.

While our staff members have been working to meet your needs via phone, email, virtual trainings and playgroups, and supply distributions, our management team has been preparing the agency to welcome families and child care providers on CalWORKs Stages 2, 3, and CAPP programs who were previously served by by our colleagues at Child, Family and Community Services (CFCS). After 55 years of serving our community, CFCS will be closing their doors at the end of June. We thank them for their many decades of service to the Alameda County community. After a competitive application process, it is an honor and a privilege to announce that we were to be chosen as the new contractor with the California Department of Education to provide these services for both CFCS' clients and for other families needing care in Southern Alameda County.

Whether you are a previous client, new member of the 4Cs community, or a long-time supporter, thank you for your advocacy, your patience, and your support while we continue to weather this unprecedented storm. We hope that you are thriving and that we can see you soon in-person. In the meantime know we are still here to help however and whenever you need us.

Be well,

Renee S. Herzfeld
Executive Director
Resources and News
4Cs Serving Our Community: The Impact
Since March 16th, 4Cs of Alameda County has amplified our efforts to serve our child care providers and families in Southern Alameda County through distributions of essential supplies: diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, emergency supplies, and more. Over the past three months, 4Cs has provided more than $110,000 in gift cards ($93,000 in partnership with First 5 of Alameda County) and almost 1,000 cases of diapers to community members and child care providers directly. An additional 1,000 diaper cases will be distributed in partnership with Eden Church, Parent Voices Oakland, and Hayward Promise Neighborhoods in the upcoming weeks. More than 400 essential item kits were distributed to families in Hayward, and 180 emergency and cleaning supply kits have been handed out to child care providers. In partnership with the State of California, 4Cs also distributed $507,392 in funds to child care providers for additional cleaning supplies to help support efforts in keeping child care sites open and serving our community.
 
In addition to materials, 4Cs of Alameda County has enrolled more than 130 children of essential workers for child care services through June 30th. 4Cs staff worked in partnership with these families to find child care and provide child care payment assistance so parents can continue to work their essential jobs during the shelter-in-place. The agency just wrapped up the first virtual THRIVE: Parenting During COVID-19 online course, with 50 parents attending the bi-weekly groups via Zoom. Finally, 4Cs training team presented a very well-received and well-attended online Child Self-Care Conference with more than 200 providers logging in to participate in engaging key notes, self-care sessions ranging from yoga to gardening, and wrapped up the day with closing remarks by Renee Herzfeld, 4Cs Executive Director.
"Thank you in all humility and appreciate you... for introducing me to “humbleness” in a way I never have experienced or learned. Also, for providing not just essentials in this trying time, but entertaining learning tools, food and snacks for my boys... Thank you, thank you, thank you‼️‼️‼️‼️" - 4Cs Mother of Two
Parent Cafés - All Are Welcome
Parent Café events are a time for parents to connect with others and relax. All are welcome to an upcoming virtual Parent Café focusing on Social Vitality and the individuals who bring joy to our lives during this time while we shelter in place. Parent Cafés are an open facilitated conversation that will feature questions around vitality to guide the discussion. 

Social Vitality (English)
Thursday, June 18th
10am-11am

Meeting links will be provided upon registration. We will also be offering incentives to participating registered families. To register via email contact Lizbeth Gonzalez at lizbethg@4c-alameda.org .

Census 2020: It's Not Too Late to Participate
We hope you and your family are healthy during this time. These are times of uncertainty and swift transitions that are occurring with the onset of COVID-19. However, we would like to remind you that the Census 2020 is still ongoing. All households should have received an invitation to complete the Census. We are reaching out to you in hope that we can encourage you to complete the census now. It is very important that every family is counted in the Census which is critical in securing community funding and political representation for the next 10 years.
This year, the Census is available online and over the phone, it is easier than ever to respond and you can do so safely at the comfort of your own home. To complete the Census visit  www.my2020census.gov  or for questions completing the Census 2020 call our Census team at 510-470-7322 for assistance (leave a message and we'll call you back). When you complete the Census receive a $5 gift card per household while supplies last.
 
Esperamos que usted y su familia estén saludables durante este tiempo. Estos son tiempos de incertidumbre y transiciones rápidas que están ocurriendo con el inicio de COVID-19. Sin embargo, nos gustaría recordarle que el Censo 2020 todavía está en curso. Todos los hogares deberían haber recibido una invitación para completar el Censo. Nos estamos comunicando con usted con la esperanza de que complete el censo hoy. Es muy importante que cada familia se cuente en el Censo, que es fundamental para asegurar fondos para la comunidad y la representación política durante los próximos 10 años.
Este año, el Censo está disponible en línea y por teléfono, es más fácil que nunca responder y puede hacerlo de manera segura en la comodidad de su hogar. Para completar el Censo viste  www.my2020census.gov  o preguntas llame nuestro equipo de Censo al 510-470-7322 (deje un mensaje y le llamaremos de vuelta). Cuando complete el Censo reciba una tarjeta de regalo de $5 por hogar hasta agotar existencias.
CalFresh Now Accepting Applicants
The CalFresh team continue to actively outreach to families for the CalFresh application services offered at 4Cs of Alameda County. If you want to sign up for CalFresh, we can provide a pre-screen to see if you are eligible by phone. Please call our CalFresh number at 510-584-3105 or email calfresh@4c-alameda.org . We are checking for messages daily.

Families that need food now, please call the Alameda County Food Bank for information on where to pick food at (510) 635-3663 and then press 2. People do not need to be on CalFresh to pick up food at pantries. This service is based on need only. We encourage people to leave a message in their preferred language and someone will call back with information.
Please visit Alameda County Office of Education 's webpage for a list of different school districts that provide breakfast/lunch for students and food pantries that are open by specific area.
Child Care Initiative Project Participants Celebrated
CCIP Participants 2020
4Cs of Alameda hosted 54 participated in the Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) program this year. The CCIP program supports new child care providers and providers looking to grow and expand their businesses. While we celebrate the Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) participants differently this year, we would like to recognize that they have completed a year of training and support to enhance their family child care businesses. Some of them opened new businesses, others improved their existing business practices; all increased the quality of care they provide for children. We congratulate them for their hard work and dedication. Project funding is provided by CA Department of Education, Alameda County, and the cities of Fremont, Union City and Hayward. To find out more or to participate in upcoming CCIP cohorts, contact: Arlene Sandoval (English/Spanish) at  arlenes@4c-alameda.org  (510) 584.3134 or Iris Lin (Chinese) at  irisl@4c-alameda.org  or (510) 584-3117.
Free Virtual Tax Preparation and Filing Available at 4Cs
4Cs of Alameda County's VITA staff and volunteers hope this message finds you well. These days, everyone is finding innovative ways get things done. We believe tax preparation is no different.

4Cs VITA program is now offering VIRTUAL TAX Preparation and FREE tax filing through June 30th! Our volunteers can now remotely prepare your tax return and file it electronically with your consent.
This virtual tax service is also available for ITIN holders.

For more information & to get your tax returns completed please contact us at vita@4c-alameda.org or (510) 690-2141.
HPN Toddler Play & Learn a Success!
4Cs' Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) Toddler Play & Learn is a playgroup for toddlers between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old that live in eligible areas of South Hayward. This program is free and focuses on early learning, promotes early childhood social, physical, and emotional development. We completed our first HPN Play Group online through Zoom and it was beautiful! These kiddos were engaged and looking forward to signing in with their parents to participate .

"Thanks to all who make these groups possible especially at this time that we live the Covid-19. I have seen first hand what importance they give to families. I have received a lot of help and I am very grateful to each one of you. The services that support families are great and combined with the play and learn classes, I really love them...." - P&L Parent

Thank you to our team staff Cynthia and Keira for working with our families to encourage them to come to class and set up and thank you also to Ms. Jamie for being a sweet and amazing teacher! The comments from parents show all the love you spread to all! Also, thank you to team staff Alyssa and Lizbeth for always being willing to help with any of our teams needs; especially those early learning packets and books mailed out weekly during the session - the kids enjoy the activities!

The next HPN Play and Learn Summer session begins on June 23rd and take place Tuesdays and Fridays 10:30-11am virtually. For more information, eligibility, and registration please contact Cynthia Padilla at 510-584-3122 or cynthiap@4c-alameda.org .
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