Mark your calendars, and plan to spend your Saturday morning with us at 4Cs!

Our Family, Friend and Neighbor Gathering is on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 10am – 12pm. We will distribute information and resources about child development, challenging behaviors, and health and nutrition. We will have activities for children 0-5 years, storytime and raffle prizes. For more information or to register contact Ariana Ortiz at 510-690-2159 or arianao@4c-alameda.org.

4Cs' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site opens for tax season on January 30th. Our tax professionals are here to prepare and file your taxes for free while keeping you informed of the most recent changes to tax law.

New tax changes this year: 

4Cs' VITA Site is ready to help families or individuals making up to $56,000 annually with tax returns. 4Cs' VITA site opens on January 30, 2020 and runs through April 9, 2020 on Thursday evenings from 5pm-8:30pm. If Thursday nights don't work for your busy schedule, 4Cs' Hayward office has drop-off tax preparation services Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm and Fridays from 9am to 12pm. Bring in your tax documents and identification and we will prepare and file your taxes for free in 5-10 business days. For more information and to be sure you're prepared with all documentation needed, visit the link below.

Happy New Year from the 4Cs' Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) department!! As we say good-bye to 2019, HPN kicks off 2020 with the launch of two HPN programs, Toddler Play and Learn and Parent Promise Academy.

CalFresh, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), introduced new income guidelines for the 2019-2020 year. The new income guidelines will run from October 1st, 2019 - September 30th 2020. CalFresh also released their new logo back in July 2019 so be on the lookout. 4Cs of Alameda County continues to be an agency that assists families in applying for CalFresh. Already have a case? No worries, here at 4Cs we also assist with recertifications and semi-annual reports (SAR7). Reach out to CalFresh Specialists Lizbeth Gonzalez and Cynthia Padilla Munoz to be pre-screened or for more information regarding CalFresh at 510-584-3105 or calfresh@4c-alameda.org.

Did you know that in the last census count almost one million young children were not counted? This was the largest age group of undercounted individuals. Ensuring every person is counted (including all children born on or after April 1, 2020) is critical in securing funding for important public resources that support the entire family. Wondering if you should count specific children you love or care for while filling out your own census this spring? Clink on the link below for answers to all of your frequently asked children-specific census questions and keep an eye out in your mailbox in mid-March for information on how you can complete the census for your household. 4Cs of Alameda County will also be taking an active role in getting families with young children counted by hosting a Census Questionnaire Assistance Center and informational workshops starting in March.

Wondering how your program can become more sustainable? Join Alameda County’s Green Child Care Program! Becoming a member is simple and opens the door to hands on support and in-person consultations with the Early Care and Education Green Child Care Coordinator.

Through joining the Green Child Care Program, your facility would receive onsite support in the form of waste assessments, waste bins with lids, and in person lessons on sustainable best practices for staff and teachers, as well as age appropriate lessons for children ages 3-5 from Rocky the Recycling Raccoon. Access to our free compost, recycle, and landfill bins will make waste separation within the classroom easier for students as well as teachers, helping your facility divert waste from the landfill on a daily basis.

This FREE program has already engaged with over 154 sites over the past 8 years, reaching thousands of kids and teachers across Alameda County. To get involved, contact Lexi Oliva at Lexi.Oliva@acgov.org . Book a lesson and site consultation today!

Are you a family child care owner operating in Alameda County? Have you had your home tested for possible lead contamination? The  Alameda County Healthy Homes Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Program   is looking to provide up to $10,000 to diminish lead presence on properties where little ones spend time. The grant program will pay for property owners to test for lead in paint, dust, and soil. Grants to address lead hazards can be up to $10,000 per housing unit. Alameda County will provide project management to ensure the work is done safely and properly. Eligible units need to be built before 1978 and low-income. The program is available for both rental and owner-occupied units. Together we can prevent lead poisoning and create safer and healthier homes!