A Note From Our Executive Director |
Dear friend of 4Cs,
September 15th ushers in National Hispanic Heritage Month and here at 4Cs of Alameda County we are reminded during this month of recognition of the impact that our own Hispanic staff and community members have in making our agency and neighborhoods a space where all feel welcome. Around the country, folks recognize this month-long occasion by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. We are proud to have an incredibly diverse 4Cs of Alameda County staff with more than half who identify as Hispanic or Latinx and are able to assist our Spanish-speaking clients in their home language. In fact, many of these staff members were able to share a piece of their culture and heritage with us during our latest team-building event where we came together – virtually in our own kitchens – to cook either empanadas or traditional tacos with homemade tortillas.
As I learned how to shape empanadas with my own Puerto Rican daughter, I loved learning more about many of our staff’s cultures and traditions through this culinary journey. While we are celebrating, welcoming, and amplifying the culture and traditions of our Hispanic community this month (and throughout the year) know that 4Cs staff are here to help you, your family, and our community as your local family resource center… in Spanish or any of the other 18 languages spoken by 4Cs of Alameda County staff.
Be well,
Renee S. Herzfeld
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Donate to the Hayward Promise Neighborhoods
Community Store
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The Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPNs) Early Learning Network (ELN) Diapers and Resources Distributions project started in summer 2020 as a result of the increasing needs our families experienced due to the pandemic. Through the project, over 200 families received diapers for their children, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), food, and grocery gift cards, and have been connected to a cradle to career network of services to help their families thrive. The newest addition to the project is a Community Store where families can pick items they may need, including personal hygiene products and school supplies. Parents and their children have expressed their sincerest appreciation for everything but especially for the new store because it makes them feel like they are shopping, and they get to select what they specifically need or want.
Help keep the store stocked in time for HPN's next distribution on October 20 by making a tax-deductible purchase from the Amazon Wishlist coordinated by 4Cs of Alameda County (Tax ID #23-7218859).
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Alameda County's 2021 Redistricting process is underway!
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Redistricting is the once-in-a-decade process of redrawing district lines and Alameda County is currently underway redistricting the five Board of Supervisor districts. In order for the Board of Supervisors to draw districts that keep these communities whole, they need to know where the Communities of Interest (COI) exist. A COI is simply a group of people that share a common bond or interest, such as a social, cultural, or economic connection. Residents and community groups are encouraged to participate in the redistricting public process by attending workshops, hearings and public meetings, providing feedback at redistricting2021.acgov.org/public-input, and using the online redistricting tool to draw and submit maps.
Watch the video below to learn more:
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The Board of Supervisors and County staff will be holding an online hearings on October 12 at 12pm to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn.
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Stipends Available for Child Care Providers |
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All Licensed Child Care Providers
ALL licensed child care providers can now register to receive their Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization Stipends. The amount is based on the maximum facility capacity allowable for children per license as follows:
- $3,500 = CCC max capacity of 14 children or less.
- $4,000 = CCC max capacity of between 15 and 24 children.
- $5,000 = CCC max capacity of between 25 and 60 children.
- $6,500 = CCC max capacity exceeds 60 children.
These stipends will not be distributed by 4Cs of Alameda County or other Resource & Referral agencies. Click here to register and for FAQs.
Providers Caring for Children in March 2021 on Child Care Payment Programs
Separate from licensed stipends, there are additional stipends available for child care providers who cared for children receiving state-funded subsidies in March 2021. Child care providers serving children receiving state-subsidized child care will receive a flat-rate, one-time stipend in the amount of $600 per child enrolled in subsidized child care. Stipends will be based on March 2021 enrollment data for these providers. These stipends will be distributed by alternative payment agencies, including 4Cs of Alameda County. 4Cs expects to receive the stipend allocation from the state no later than September 30, 2020, and will issues payments within a week of receiving the funds. A letter will be sent to all eligible providers soon. For information please visit the CDSS Webpage regarding subsidized stipends. Please be aware that the DSS website has the option of using Google Translate in several languages (upper right corner of the webpage).
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Alameda County Child Care Relief Grant (Wells Fargo Grant) |
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The Alameda County Child Care Relief Fund, administered by The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) funded by Wells Fargo and partnered with First 5 Alameda, BANANAS, 4Cs of Alameda County, and Hively, is available for licensed Family Child Care providers in Alameda County (preferably in zip codes 94621, 94541, 94544, 94545, and 94578) that are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Grants available up to $5,000 for small Family Child Care and $10,000 for large Family Child Care. If awarded, funds may be used to cover rent/mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, payment of outstanding business expenses, and any other expense related to your typical program operations.
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California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program |
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These grants prioritize educational businesses, women-owned businesses, and those serving low-income populations. Family child care businesses that were open in June 2019 or after can apply. If you have previously applied for grant funding, you do not need to reapply. For more information or to see if you meet the eligibility criteria, visit careliefgrant.com.
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The Child Tax Credit is available to help families with the cost of raising kids, offering up to $3,600 per child under 18 years old from the IRS. Anyone who has a child with a Social Security number is eligible, even if you don't have one yourself. And if you don’t normally file taxes or don’t have income, you could still be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. If you were not required to file taxes this year, you can visit GetCTC.org to get your tax credit and start receiving payments.
Half of the Child Tax Credit started going out in July 2021 to eligible families and will be issued monthly until December 2021. The second half will be received in 2022 upon filing tax returns. These payments can come in the form of direct deposit or paper checks. You can check on your payments and manage them through the IRS CTC Update Portal.
You can call 2-1-1 to have your questions answered and get connected with local IRS-certified volunteers. You may also be able to make an appointment with a local Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
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Featured Events & Trainings |
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Wednesday, September 24 - Friday, October 8 | 11am-11:30am
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Join us Wednesdays and Fridays from
11:00am-11:30am for a morning of fun, activity, storytime, and movement for children ages 3-5 years and their caregivers* (Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Family Friend or Neighbor). Participants will receive materials, incentives and might be eligible to receive a stipend. Sign up for one or multiple sessions in these weekly series by visiting the event page. If you have questions, contact playgroup@4c-alameda.org or (510) 736-2797.
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Tuesday, September 28 | 7pm-9pm
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Come and join us for an interactive training full of ideas and activities that can be done easily in your family childcare or center environment!
In this training you will learn how to promote learning of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, connect STEAM activities to things you do in your daily routines with children, and incorporate STEAM in your environment in creative ways.
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Upcoming
Events & Trainings
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第 1 部分: 9月 24 日星期五 | 下午6:30-8:30
第 2 部分: 10 月 1 日星期五 | 下午6:30-8:30
這些培訓將幫助您學習如何使用 ASQ-3 和 ASQ-SE-2 這兩個由家長完成的發發篩檢工具，來識別孩子在生命關鍵前五年的發展強項和需求。
要獲得培訓證書，參與者必須參加並完成所有 2 個部分!
註冊將於 9月 22 日截止
Sábado, 2 de octubre | 8:30am-12:30pm
Este entrenamiento introducirá a los participantes al sistema class™ instrumento de observaciones que se centra en la eficacia de las interacciones entre maestros y niños en las aulas.
La registración cerrara el 24 de septiembre
Tuesday, October 12 | 11am-11:30am
Martes, 12 de octubre | 11am-11:30am
FREE bilingual (English-Spanish) virtual playgroup program from October 12–November 12 on Tuesdays and Fridays for parents and their children 18 months to 4 years old who live in the Hayward Promise Neighborhoods. For more eligibility information or questions, please contact Cynthia Padilla Munoz at cynthiap@4c-alameda.org or (510) 736-2756.
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Un programa virtual GRATUITO de grupo de juego bilingüe (inglés-español) del 12 de octubre al 12 de noviembre los martes y viernes para padres y sus hijos de 18 meses a 4 años que vivan en los vecindarios de la promesa de Hayward. Para obtener más información sobre elegibilidad o preguntas, comuníquese con Cynthia Padilla Munoz en cynthiap@4c-alameda.org o (510) 736-2756.
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Manager, Quality Assurance
Full-time
Oakland & Hayward Office
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We are excited to finally have an Instagram account and connect more families and child care providers to a wide network of community partners, child-focused resources, and financial assistance programs. With a stronger online presence, we will educate and engage our communities and enrich child care services within Alameda County. |
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Give to Support 4Cs of Alameda County |
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Thank you for helping us uplift families, providers, and our community! |
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