WATCH: Resilient Kern webinar on "Compassion Fatigue" |
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Resilient Kern, a county-wide Trauma-Informed Care project, has been active during the pandemic. Virtual webinars on distance learning stresses, self-care and the trauma associated with homelessness have highlighted local efforts to facilitate resiliency.
Held on November 19, "Compassion Fatigue" was a spirited discussion shining a spotlight on the different ways our local providers are affected by working in the helping profession.
The presentation, which is now available to view on ResilientKern.org, covers such topics as compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, burnout, and how to build resiliency in your work and practice self-care. Taking just over 30 minutes, it could be a helpful resource to anyone who works regularly with traumatized children and families.
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The Resilient Kern website continues to add resources for caregivers and families, and the recording of this recent webinar is posted under the TRAINING page. Visit ResilientKern.org for more information on upcoming training sessions, or to inquire about a training session for your employees.
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Did you know...
A 2018 study by the American Psychological Association estimated that as many as 61% of of all mental health workers experience "burnout," citing compassion fatigue as a major factor.
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First 5 Kern December Commission meeting information |
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The First 5 Kern Commission meeting for December will be held virtually on Wednesday, December 2, at 2:00 p.m.
Agenda items include a special funding request for Community Action Partnership of Kern to implement a family resource center (FRC) based in Ridgecrest. The previous FRC in the area, which was funded by First 5 Kern, ceased operations in May, 2020.
A copy of the agenda for the commission meeting is posted on the First 5 Kern website, along with information on how to tune in virtually.
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First 5 Association Annual Summit is open to community partners and advocates in early childhood |
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The First 5 Association is opening their Annual Summit to the public, specifically inviting First 5 partners and advocates in early childhood to join in meaningful conversation around this year's focus: Making Health Connections Across our Network.
The virtual event will be held on Wednesday, December 9, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with two breakout times and five sessions to choose from:
9:15 - 10:30 a.m.
- Improving Cross-System Health Care Connections for Infants and Toddlers
- Black Infant Health - State and County Efforts Beyond the BIH Program
- Centering Families in Help Me Grow: Going Beyond Focus Groups
10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Early Identification and Intervention in Medi-Cal
- Collective Impact of First 5s ACEs Grantees: Stakeholder Collaboration and Provider Engagement on ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care
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March of Dimes gives California a 'B-' rating in its
annual report card
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The March of Dimes released their annual Report Card in November. This year’s Report Card offers a comprehensive overview of the health of moms and babies across the U.S.
Broken down by city, Bakersfield received a 'C' grade with 9.8% of births being preterm. California overall scored a 'B-', at 8.4%. The best rated city in the state was Irvine, with just 5.4% of all births being preterm - 2nd lowest in the nation.
The report grades the nation, and individual states and cities on preterm birth rates. It also includes other information such as infant death, health insurance status, and inadequate prenatal care, among other factors and outlines important policy solutions that can make a difference.
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Behind the numbers...
The estimated cost in the United States per preterm birth, including medical care for premature children, maternal delivery costs, early intervention services, special education services and lost productivity. [source: March of Dimes, 2020 Report Card]
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Black Infant Health program celebrates the graduates for pregnancy and infant health education classes |
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The Black Infant Health program recently celebrated graduates of their prenatal and post-partum educational classes with a drive-through event.
The prenatal classes include a 10-week course, which explain healthy pregnancy nutrition, breastfeeding technique, delivery education and more. The postpartum session is an additional 10 weeks of classes which focuses on how to have a healthy pregnancy, education about their maternal health needs and how to impact the health outcomes of themselves and their babies.
The classes were done 100% virtually for the first time ever, and the graduation event combined those that completed each course. Congrats to all the grads!
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Early Start program is accepting referrals through
Kern Regional Center
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If you have a young child who needs specialized care or has a disability, the Early Start program through Kern Regional Center may be an option for your family.
The Kern Regional Center (KRC) is contracted with the California Department of Developmental Services to coordinate community-based services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Click the link below to connect with KRC and learn more about the Early Start program.
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34th Street Neighborhood Partnership resumes their monthly collaborative meetings |
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More community collaboratives have come back online in recent months, showing the desire and need for communities throughout the county to continue to connect with each other. The 34th Street Neighborhood Partnership, which previously met in person at Stella Hills Elementary School, will resume meetings in December via Zoom.
Juan Avila, Chief Operating Officer for Garden Pathways, is the coordinator for this active collaborative, and anyone interested in attending should reach out to him for more information.
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NO KID HUNGRY announces grant opportunity |
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No Kid Hungry is pleased to release a new grant opportunity to increase food security among children from birth – five years old.
Community organizations, early child care centers, healthcare providers and others working to ensure vulnerable young children have access to healthy food are encouraged to apply for a grant. Grants will be between $15,000-$25,000 and applications are due on December 18, 2020.
A webinar about this grant opportunity will be held on December 3rd at 2-3 pm EST.
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First 5 San Joaquin and Raising Quality! unveil child care guides
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Our friends in San Joaquin County, and their partners with Raising Quality! have put together handy guides for navigating child care and early learning options.
Their guides are for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and for grandparents as caregivers. Although the contact information contained in the guides are listed for resources in the San Joaquin County area, they contain good information that parents and caregivers may find helpful.
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Raising Quality! is San Joaquin's version of our local Kern Early Stars program.
Kern Early Stars is a quality ratings and improvement system that brings training and resources to hundreds of child care providers throughout the county, in an effort to enhance learning environments for children. Learn more on their website linked below.
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Kid-Friendly Recipe:
Christmas Grinch Popcorn!
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. This is a quick, easy, and tasty recipe for your family to try at home!
Ingredients:
- plain popped popcorn
- white chocolate chips
- green food coloring
- mini M&Ms
- cinnamon hearts
- Mentos
Click the link below for the full recipe and a quick video!
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