October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month |
|
October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month and First 5 Kern is an active member of the Kern County Safe Sleep Coalition. The coalition, which meets monthly, is dedicated to increasing awareness and providing education to parents on the importance of safe sleep practices.
The Safe Sleep Coalition is a group of hospitals, government agencies and non-profits whose mission is to educate the public on the dangers of SIDS and recognition of Safe Sleep practices.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the #1 cause of death among children under one year of age. It is estimated that over 3,000 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
For more information on Safe Sleep, the Safe Sleep Coalition and SIDS, check the below links.
|
|
Did you know...
Between 2012-19, Kern County had 66 infant deaths identified as having an unsafe sleep environment as a contributing factor to cause death.
|
|
Kern Medical Center earns Gold Certification in Safe Sleep |
This summer, Kern Medical Center became the second hospital in the county to earn a Gold Certification from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Certification Program. |
|
|
Did you know...
Kern County is one of only two counties in California with TWO hospitals that have earned a Gold Certification. The other is San Joaquin County, with hospitals in Lodi and outside of Stockton.
|
|
First 5 Kern Commission meeting to be held remotely |
The next meeting of the First 5 Kern Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7 at 2 p.m. This month's meeting will be held via Zoom.
Topics for discussion include presentations on the 2019-20 State Annual Report, the annual fiscal audit, and the extension of the IMPACT program (Improve and Maximize Programs So All Children Thrive) with Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
The link for the public to connect to the call can be found on the commission page of the First 5 Kern website. The agenda for the meeting will be posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
|
|
Kern County Children's Dental Health Program hosting drive-thru clinics |
|
The Kern County Children's Dental Health Network (KCCDHN) traditionally visits kindergarten and preschool classes to provide free screenings and treatments through First 5 Kern funding. But with access to those classrooms on hold right now, they have started hosting drive-through clinics.
For several events in September and October, the KCCDHN has teamed up with Adventist Health's Children's Mobile Immunization Program (CMIP) to provide a one-stop shop for families. Often, the kids can stay right in their car for their dental treatments.
The dental program has scheduled visits to Ridgecrest, Bakersfield, Shafter and Arvin in October. Upcoming events for both the CMIP and KCCDHN are posted on the First 5 Kern Community Calendars page.
|
|
Did you know...
The Adventist Heath Children's Mobile Immunization Clinic is making 11 stops during October. They are requiring that all children over the age of 5 have an appointment scheduled. See the calendar on our Community Calendars page for more information.
|
|
Free drive-thru flu clinic |
This Saturday, Adventist Health is hosting a free flu shot clinic in downtown Bakersfield for adults 18 and over. The event will start at 7 a.m. and last until their supply of doses runs out. |
|
Expansion to California's Paid Family Leave is signed into law |
On Sept. 17, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1383 into law.
The bill, developed through the Paid Family Leave Task Force, "ensures job-protected leave for anyone who works for an employer with five or more employees to bond with a newborn, care for a seriously ill family member, address a military exigency or care for their own illness."
It's estimated that the bill helps protect the jobs of over 6 million Californians who may choose to utilize the state's Paid Family Leave Program. The former employee threshold for the program was 50 employees.
“No mom should have to risk losing her job to access family leave benefits that she’s already paid for out of her own paycheck,” said Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego).
Additionally, a trailer bill was also signed into law which starts a pilot program offering mediation protection for small businesses facing paid leave issues.
SB 1383 will take effect Jan. 1, 2021.
|
|
Safer California 2020 virtual conference coming up in November |
|
The California Coalition for Children's Health and Safety is holding the Safer California Unintentional Injury Prevention conference, online, November 17 & 18.
The two-day event will feature keynote presentations on topics such as building local coalitions, vehicle and traffic safety, the role of youth in preventing injury, and more. Workshops on the leading causes of death and hospitalizations for children are planned throughout. Government leaders, community builders and pediatricians are on the agenda to speak.
|
|
First5Kern.org focus: Community Support |
|
First 5 Kern has funding available to assist with community and family events.
If your agency is hosting an event geared toward children 0-5 and their families, you may request support by submitting an official letter detailing the event and how the funds will be used.
Find out more about Proposition 10 funding and community support on our website.
|
|
Mountain Communities Family Resource Center launches e-newsletter
The Mountain Communities Family Resource Center (MCFRC), located in Frazier Park and serving the southern Kern County mountain communities, has started a digital newsletter. The MCFRC provides social services consisting of basic family needs, senior and adult services, health insurance assistance, parenting classes, bus passes, a food bank and more!
|
|
#SafeAtHome ideas from First 5 LA |
|
|
|
From arts and crafts to story-time ideas to museums at home, our friends at First 5 LA connected with LA Parent Magazine to compile an impressive list of activity ideas for parents to do with their children.
What are you doing locally? If your organization hosts online activities for children and families of Kern County, let us know and we will share your events.
|
|
UC Merced study on COVID-19 needs volunteers
Researchers at the University of California at Merced are seeking adult volunteers to participate in a research study that aims to understand the effects of the novel coronavirus in the Central Valley.
The only requirements are that participants must be 18 or older and live or work in the Central Valley or surrounding foothills.
The survey can be done online through the link below or the featured QR code, in English or in Spanish. Participants will receive a $10 gift card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
