First 5 Kern and Resilient Kern awarded a planning grant from statewide ACEs Aware initiative |
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First 5 Kern has received a six-month grant to create a countywide Network of Care that will train and support local medical providers to screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Research shows the link of a high ACE score to significant health risks, like severe asthma, Type 1 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer.
The Network of Care will ultimately provide a direct link to local trauma-informed community partners to meet the non-medical needs of families under stress from poverty, food insecurity, lack of transportation, social and cultural isolation, and racism.
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The planning grant, which is valued at nearly $300,000, was part of the ACEs Aware initiative, which awarded $30.8 million to 35 programs throughout the state. First 5 Kern's grant is the only one awarded to a Kern County agency.
Resilient Kern, the program which will manage the deliverables for the planning grant, will work with its community partners to evaluate how we jointly manage toxic stress in Kern County and work directly with medical providers to increase health screenings for Adverse Childhood Experiences for our community. Specifically, this effort will engage with Medi-Cal providers and our local Federally Qualified Health Centers at Clinica Sierra Vista and Omni Family Health, who see the majority of Medi-Cal patients in Kern County.
To join us in our effort to tackle toxic stress in our communities, please click here and take this brief survey.
Adverse Childhood Experiences can be tied to significant health risks later in life. To learn more about how your past experiences can play a role in your current and future health, ask your provider at your next doctor's visit.
For more information on the First 5 Kern ACEs Aware grant, contact Hector Gutierrez.
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The Kern Connected Community Network
An important part of the ACEs Aware planning grant centers around connecting patients to the services they need throughout the county through the Kern Connected Community Network (KCCN).
The KCCN has brought together and trained over 50 local agencies and organizations to help provide a smooth transition for patients to community resources.
When combined with the trained medical providers through the ACEs Aware grant, KCCN will be able to provide efficient linkages between hospitals, clinics, and local community organizations throughout Kern County that provide services vital to underserved populations.
If your agency is interested in learning more about the KCCN click here. Or, if you are ready to join, click below complete your Partner Registration Form.
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Behind the numbers...
In a 2017 study from KidsData.org, 47% of households in Kern County have experienced 1-3 Adverse Childhood Experiences, and nearly one in five households - 19% - have 4 or more ACEs.
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California Earned Income Tax Credit resources
to share with families
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First 5 Kern's efforts continue in advocating the use of several tax credits that are available to families with young children. New materials are available, and our community partners are encouraged to share these resources with the public. |
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The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), and the Federal EITC could provide thousands of dollars to qualifying families. The average credit that families receive is $3,000, but some families could receive as much as $8,000.
A text message system has been established to more easily help families learn more and understand their eligibility. Simply text EARNITF5KC to 211-211 to follow the prompts.
The promotional effort is a partnership of the First 5 Association and United Ways of California. The fliers can be downloaded below. Please share!
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Roland Maier appears in Bakersfield Californian's
"Letters to the Editor"
First 5 Kern Executive Director Roland Maier was featured last week in the Bakersfield Californian with a Letter to the Editor promoting the CalEITC. Read his letter below.
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First 5 Kern partners with United Way of Kern County in March for the Raising A Reader program
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The United Way of Kern County's Raising a Reader program helps to foster a love of reading in young children by mailing out books to approximately 200 kids throughout Kern County, each month. Designed for kids 3-5 years old, the program has been especially important during the past 12 months, when access to libraries and book stores has been dramatically limited.
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First 5 Kern March Commission and Strategic Planning meeting information |
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First 5 Kern's annual Strategic Planning meeting is on Wednesday, March 3, along with a brief commission meeting.
The annual strategic planning meeting is an important opportunity each year to provide input on the direction of Proposition 10 funding and determine which metrics will be used to assess program efficacy. Also to be discussed are birth rate figures (which determine Prop 10 funding allocation), fund balance and annual revenue numbers. Click below for more information.
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Partnership with Capital Dental Group secures 275 dental health bags for Bakersfield-area Family Resource Centers |
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Through a partnership with Capital Dental Group, nearly 300 dental health gift bags have been supplied to three Family Resource Centers (FRC) in Bakersfield.
The Greenfield FRC, Neighborhood Place Learning Center, and Southeast Neighborhood Partnership have each received the bags, which include a toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste, and a kids coloring/activity book with crayons.
The gift bags were provided by Capital Dental Group in recognition of February being Children's Dental Health Month.
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Help Me Grow Kern County Family Fun partnership with the Bakersfield Condors |
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Help Me Grow Kern County has paired up with the Bakersfield Condors for a unique partnership to promote family engagement during the team's American Hockey League season.
The Help Me Grow Family Fun pics promotion offers families the chance to submit pictures of their little ones supporting the team, with a chance to be featured on their social media platforms.
The promotion also allows the Condors to introduce their fan base to the Help Me Grow program, which offers free developmental screenings for children under the age of six.
The link below will take you to the Condors Help Me Grow Family Fun pics page on their website.
The Condors are the only professional sports team in Kern County, and returned to play in February at Mechanics Bank Arena.
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Watch for the new Help Me Grow Kern County commercial
In addition to the Condors partnership, Help Me Grow Kern County has also launched an ad campaign, which included spots in Kern County Family Magazine - print and digital issues, as well as with their weekly e-blasts - and a new television spot.
The spot will be in English and Spanish, and will begin airing this spring. To preview the English spot, click the screenshot (right).
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First 5 Kern Executive Director Roland Maier (right) joined Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh (left) and Jana Slagle (center) from the Kern County Department of Human Services at the Bakersfield City Council on Feb. 17. Mayor Goh presented the two with a proclamation for Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month in February. |
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Medi-Cal benefits videos from GBLA |
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Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA) has put together a pair of videos explaining Medi-Cal benefits: medical transportation and prescription services.
GBLA's YouTube channel features dozens of videos on topics such as medical benefits, housing rights, domestic violence, guardianship and more. Most of the videos are available in English and Spanish. Below is a link to GBLA's YouTube channel.
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COVID-19 Vulnerability & Recovery Index |
Last week, Advancement Project California, released their COVID-19: Statewide Vulnerability & Recovery Index.
The Index uses ZIP Code-level data to identify California communities most in need of immediate and long-term pandemic and economic relief.
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Grant opportunity from Food4All
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Nourish California is providing ten (10) mini-grants to local/regional grassroots, immigrant rights, anti-hunger, and health promoting organizations to help mobilize and engage in the 2021 Food4All Campaign.
These mini-grants were made possible by The California Endowment.
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Kid-Friendly Recipe: Shamrock Pretzels |
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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 - and to get messy. This is a quick, easy, and tasty recipe for your family to try at home!
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cups mini twist pretzels
- 12 oz. green candy coating
Click the link below for the full recipe!
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