Provider Appreciation Day is May 6th


You are Invited to
Share a Message of Appreciation
Provider Appreciation Day is an extra opportunity to say a hearty thank you to our childcare providers for all they do for our children. Providers are essential workers who are invaluable to children, parents, and to our community.
 
YOU are invited to share in Child Action, Inc.’s efforts to honor Sacramento’s providers and to say thank you.

Record a video and/or submit written testimony of appreciation via our website.

Visit our website to share your message of gratitude for Sacramento's child care providers.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn as we share some of the messages of appreciation that we receive.
Attention Providers!

We would like to share a treat with you to show our gratitude. Please drop by our office on one of the following dates to receive your goodie bag through no contact drive through. You won't even need to exit your vehicle!

Monday, 5/2, 10 am-12 pm
Tuesday, 5/3, 5 pm-7 pm
Friday, 5/6, 11 am-1 pm
Expanding Child Care Capacity to Meet the Needs of Families

The closure of child care programs during the last two years has decreased the availability of child care slots in our community. As summer approaches, families begin to look for child care for their school age children. Are you ready to fill the need and help families secure child care for their children? Are you ready to open a child care program? Are you a provider who is currently full but would like to expand to have more enrollment? Consider getting licensed or increasing your capacity to help meet the demand for child care.

Contact us for guidance, we’re here to help! 916-369-0191 or info@childaction.org
Child Care Plans for the Summer
Summer is right around the corner and is an exciting time for families and children. For some families, it may also mean a change in child care plans and schedules.

Begin planning your calendar and budget ahead of time. Consider schedule changes, enrichment activities, vacation time, and what quality care means for your family.

Talking to children about routine changes puts them at ease so don't forget this important step!

Do you need support searching for summer child care? Call us at 916-369-0191 or email us at info@childaction.org. 
Celebrating All Mothers and Mother figures This Mother's Day
Thank You for All You Do!
Gardening activities teach children about the science of nature, the economics of growing your own food, and positive self-esteem as they experience the fruits of their labor (no pun intended). Exploring the outdoors is good for all ages. This spring, plan a few outside activities.

·       Plant a “Pizza Garden” with tomatoes, peppers, basil, oregano, onions
·       Paint or decorate flowerpots
·       Grow a row of giant sunflowers
·       Collect and press leaves and flowers
·       Install a rain gauge and check regularly in rainy weather
·       Create signs for the plants and flowers in the garden
·       Read stories outside
Outside Resources
To apply to WIC directly, visit www.MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov
Allergies vs. COVID Symptoms
It’s springtime in the Sacramento valley! Beautiful flowers and trees are blooming everywhere, and for many, that means allergy season is here. Although runny noses are to be expected for young children, you may be wondering if it’s allergies or if it’s a symptom of Covid-19.

Allergies, asthma, common colds, and other conditions can all cause a runny nose. To do your part in preventing illness in the childcare setting, make health checks a part of your daily routine. Try this helpful chart as you greet children each day.


You can also visit the CDC Website for more information on signs, symptoms, and resources
Book Recommendation
Tokyo Digs a Garden
Author: Jon-Erik Lappano
Illustrator: Kellen Hatanaka

Read a story about Tokyo, who lives in a busy city with very little green space. When he plants seeds, the city is overtaken by lush forests and animal life in just one night. Read this outdoors, in the garden, and spark children’s imagination and enjoyment of plants and nature.
Advocacy Update
During the last week of March, the California Resource and Referral Network (Network) had their annual advocacy week. Child Action, Inc. (CAI) joined Resource and Referral (R&R) programs throughout California to collectively advocate for families and child care providers across the state. 

The City of Sacramento Seeks Your Input!

The City of Sacramento is launching its first participatory budgeting process. Sacramento community members will decide together how to invest $1 million in Northeast and Southeast Sacramento following this process:

April 11th-May 22nd: Community members propose project ideas. Ideas can be anything from “new benches in our neighborhood park,” to “a cross walk would make it safer to walk in my neighborhood,” to a variety of other ideas.

May 23-July 24: Community members work with city staff to develop full proposals
from late May through the end of July.

August 1-31: Residents who live in the focus neighborhoods in Northeast and Southeast Sacramento will vote on which proposals to fund and implement.

For more information and to submit your ideas on how best to invest $1 million, visit the City of Sacramento at this webpage.

Those who may be interested in becoming part of the proposal review process may complete a Proposal Delegate Interest Form by clicking here.

Take a few minutes and share your ideas!
Another Participation Opportunity!

Child Action, Inc. is joining forces with several community partners to conduct a child care workforce study. Do you currently work in child care or have you done so in the past? Are you willing to take a brief survey to share your experience?

We welcome your insight. Your participation in this 3-minute survey would be greatly appreciated. Your responses will provide insight on early learning care experiences in the Greater Sacramento region. Your responses will be kept confidential. This survey is being administered by a third party. Click here to access the survey.

The survey closes May 16th, so share your insights today!
Coming Soon! Quality Supply Grant
Instructional materials will be awarded for licensed and non-licensed child care providers who are focusing on quality care in their program.

Stay tuned to future communications for details.
Attention Foster Care Bridge parents and providers:
 
Attendance forms are due by the 5th of the month. Please remember, scanned copies will not be accepted and only the original forms will be processed.

Quick check:
Is your form signed by both provider and parent? Is it dated? Is the billing portion complete? 

*Late forms will be processed with next month's attendance forms.

Attendance forms can be submitted by:

Mailing to our office using the postage paid envelope provided or by placing complete forms in the Child Action, Inc. drop box located:

10540 White Rock Rd. Suite #180
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
If you or someone you know would like to be part of meaningful work that benefits our community, please check out our current job openings.
 
For questions, information, or if you have technical difficulties, contact Human Resources at jobs@childaction.org or
(916) 369-0191.
Child Action, Inc. | childaction.org