A Note From Our Executive Director
|
|
Dear friend of 4Cs,
It has been two months since 4Cs of Alameda County last physically opened our doors to our community members as the COVID-19 storm surged.
While I dearly miss seeing the smiling faces of the families, children, care
givers, and community members who walk through our doors, I can attest to the hard work that our incredible staff are doing behind-the-scenes (most virtually) to make sure that we are meeting the varied needs of our community of families and child care providers. In addition to their regular workloads, you can read below the impact that 4Cs staff has in coordinating the distribution of essential items to community families and child care providers, family navigation and support, and connecting essential workers with care and payment for care for their children. The agency's leadership has been participating in the Alameda County Emergency Child Care Response Team with partners BANANAS, Hively, Alameda County's Early Care and Education Planning Council, First 5 of Alameda County, Alameda County Social Services Agency, Alameda County Office of Education, and Alameda County's Public Health Department. This County-wide coordinated effort has been incredibly effective in making sure our Alameda County families and child care providers are supported across our large county.
At 4Cs, we are here to help. If you are a family in need of essential supplies, stop by our Hayward Office next Wednesday, May 20th, for our
Family Essentials Giveaway
. If you a child care provider - licensed or license-exempt - in Southern Alameda County, please make sure that you fill out your
Cleaning Supplies for Child Care Providers (CSCP) Self-Certification Form
by the end of the day today, May 15th. And if you are an essential worker, we can provide support to you by
connecting you with, and paying for your, child care needs
. Our agency's
COVID-19 Resource Page
is full of information for families and community members needing information and assistance. I also encourage you to
follow us on Facebook
for the latest news, supply giveaways, and information from 4Cs of Alameda County.
As shelter-in-place orders loosen and 4Cs opens our doors when it's safe to do so, know that we miss seeing and serving you face-to-face. In the meantime, we are here for you as we weather this unpredictable storm together.
Be well,
Renee S. Herzfeld
Executive Director
|
|
Resources and News for Families
|
|
|
Family Essentials Supply Kit Pick-up: All Families Welcome
As a member of 4Cs community, you are invited to pick up an essentials supply kit for your family from our Hayward Offices next week. See details below.
No registration necessary, first-come, first-served.
Who:
All Alameda County families are welcome
What:
Supply kits include: Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels, Gloves, Masks & Dish Soap. Also available, in limited quantities, are: Baby Wipes, Diapers, Children's Books & Gift Cards
When:
Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 from 10am-1pm (or while supplies last)
Where:
Drive-thru pick-up at 4Cs of Alameda County's Main Hayward Office, 22351 City Center Drive, Hayward, CA - located across from Chase Bank on the corner of Foothill Blvd. and City Center Drive
We ask that recipients:
stay in their vehicle, wear a mask, have trunk space available
|
Child Care Payment Assistance Now Available for Essential Workers
|
Free THRIVE Parenting Engagement and Empowerment Class Offered
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has upended family life around the world. School closures, working remote, physical distancing — it's a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents. Brought to you by 4Cs of Alameda County, Life Coach Diedre Goree’s goal in this free twice-weekly virtual parenting series is to bring parents and caregivers a set of handy tips to help manage this new (temporary) normal. Register for one or all sessions using the registration link below.
|
|
|
Resources and News for Providers
|
|
|
Self-Care Conference: For Child Care Providers
Now more than ever, child care providers are working hard to provide safe, high-quality care for children and families. Whether you are a family child care provider, center teacher, or director, you deserve a day focused on taking care of YOU! Join us this year for a virtual self-care conference with live keynotes in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, pre-recorded mini-workshop sessions and raffle prizes!
To register for the English keynote click
here
.
Para registrarse en el Discurso Principal en español, haga clic
aquí
.
|
|
|
|
|
Cleaning Supplies and Funds Available for Child Care Providers
Child Care Providers: Please see 4Cs’ most recent
communication
(5/8) regarding state funding to support child care providers who are open or plan to re-open during the COVID crisis with cleaning supplies. Both license and license exempt providers are eligible. The state funded Cleaning Supplies for Child Care Providers
application
is live until the end of the day today, Friday, May 15.
|
|
|
|
Mental Health Supports for Open Licensed Providers
Are you, your staff, and your families experiencing stress due to COVID-19? Alameda County Child Care Emergency Response Team is offering Mental Health Supports for licensed child care providers that are currently OPEN. There will be a webinar with more information next week. Please see registration information below.
Webinar: Alameda County Child Care and COVID-19 Health & Mental Health Support
Date and Time: Thursday, May 21st at 6pm
|
|
Update from 4Cs' HPN Team
|
The Hayward Promise Neighborhoods team took on the challenge of these uncertain times and came up with innovative ways to stay safe while helping families that are most vulnerable. The HPN team staff continue to actively outreach to families to determine their needs during the shelter-in-place order. Staff is sending biweekly activity packets to families to help toddlers thrive at home and hosting virtual Play & Learn groups where toddlers can "gather" with other children. Also, Project Supervisor Cynthia Padilla and Project Specialist Keira Galdamez kicked off their first virtual Parent Promise Academy with 10 participating parents who are learning about early learning development. Family Navigator Lizbeth Gonzalez, has been communicating with families over the phone and making sure they are being supported during this unprecedented time. The HPN team is dedicated to supporting families in need of food with Calfresh Application Assistance over the phone and referring to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Team members are also helping with the 2020 Census by assisting families over the phone on how to complete the census. HPN teamwork and dedication is making incredible positive impacts in our community.
“
I just want to thank you for the activity package you guys send me and for the story time ..my daughter was so happy to open the package and she is happy coloring it and even happier when she watched the video
.” Ms Brenda P., Parent
|
|
|
Diaper Distribution a Success
|
When the community calls on 4Cs of Alameda County to help, we are always happy to deliver (even if you can't see those smiles on our staff behind the masks). On April 28, more than 800 diaper packs, 800 packs of wipes, and 150 gift cards for groceries and cleaning supplies were safely distributed at our main Hayward office to our community members in need with strict drive-thru, physically distant protocols in place. Thank you to our friends at First 5 Alameda County and SupplyBank.Org for their partnership and support of 4Cs of Alameda County's families and children.
|
|
|
4Cs' Essential Worker Child Care Response
|
Since Shelter-in-Place went into effect March 16, 4Cs has participated in the
Alameda County
Emergency Child Care Response Team
to provide child care referrals and payment assistance for essential workers. 4Cs has supported over 318 essential worker families in Southern Alameda County in finding child care and payment assistance. 4Cs Referral counselors have worked with families that have roles in a variety of sectors deemed "essential" such as health care, grocery and food preparation, mail and delivery services, and more! If you are an essential worker and are looking for child care, please fill out our
online parent intake form.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
