News, Notes, and Announcements from 4Cs

August 2024

A Note From Our Chief Executive Officer

Dear friends of 4Cs,


With years as a leader in the Alameda County early care and education/family support space, I have been to numerous conferences, trainings, and workshops. Constantly learning from peers, experts, and those with lived experience is critical to implementing best practices, and teaches us how we at 4Cs can better serve our community.


Every once in a while, I attend a symposium that resonates with me on a deeper level than others. About two weeks ago, I had the honor to attend the Black Californians United for Early Care and Education (BlackECE) symposium. This gathering of non-profit leaders, early educators, caregivers, parents, academics, and other experts and allies reminded me about the history and context related to child care for children in this country.


It’s evident to me that the link between child care and the history of slave labor, along with its effects on both the workforce and the children in our child care and educational systems, has caused significant harm to Black people and others as well. The expert presenters spoke of the BlackECE 10-point policy plan, policies that exist (or don’t - and need to - exist) to uplift black adults and children, the prevalence and consequences of expulsion and suspension rates for young, Black learners, among many other poignant topics. I was moved by the speakers’ passion, dedication, and advocacy work. 


I also appreciate that it was an unapologetically Black space with the perfect blend of delivering disturbing and hard data coupled with the resilience of black joy. I highly recommend that you visit the BlackECE Website and watch their video that summarizes the history and future needs of Black child care providers and the little ones they care for, then join me in advocating for our Black peers, professionals, children, and families so they can thrive. If some of the policies lifted up become reality, it will positively impact Black children and families as well as others living/working in this space. As the late John F. Kennedy reminded us, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” 


Be well,

 

Renee S. Herzfeld

Chief Executive Officer  

Staff Spotlight

Celia Goetz

Director of Community Services

“Seeing the difference we are making in the community- whether it’s resources, support, or education- is incredibly inspiring and energizing.”

Six years ago, when 4Cs of Alameda County was looking for someone to manage the Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) work, Celia Goetz felt like the luckiest person to receive the job offer. She was excited to move to the Bay Area from the Pacific Northwest and dive deep into the work - applying her early childhood education experience and being a part of the collective impact initiative. Now, Celia supports the HPN Manager and their team as well as the Child Care Resource and Referral and Community Services Departments. She loves the care, compassion, camaraderie, joy, and fun that her team embodies, and being part of developing and supporting strategies, programs, and services to help families and child care community thrive. In the past six years, Celia has also welcomed her first child to the world, Clementine, and is expecting her second baby to arrive in the next few weeks! As a new mom, her work at 4Cs is deeply personal and fulfilling and we are lucky to have her as part of the 4Cs of Alameda County Agency Leadership Team.

News

Back-to-School Events Make a BIG Difference!

New shoes, sharpened pencils, hectic mornings, and crossing guards. Classroom rules, teachers’ smiles, new markers, and recess. School is starting, and along with all these people, places, and things, what do most kids need? A backpack!


The RISE program at 4Cs hosted two back-to-school events in July, where we were able to provide new backpacks for preschool/kindergarteners and for elementary-age students. At our Oakland event, we gave away 185 backpacks, along with books and a broad selection of produce and food staples. The following week at our Hayward event, 404 children went home with backpacks and books. Families also shopped for food, including an assortment of frozen dumplings and samosas alongside produce and other staples.


None of our work would be possible without generous donations from organizations and individuals that care about children and families. Thank you to First 5 Alameda County and Sunlight Giving for backpacks and school supplies. Much appreciation to the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Public Library and others who donated books. And hats off to the Alameda County Community Food Bank for providing over 7000 pounds of food to give away. In addition, 35 4Cs staff members supported families by serving during the events. 


It’s hard to forget the excitement on children’s faces as they were able to choose the backpack color they wanted and slip the straps over their shoulders. But you don’t have to take our word for it…check out the photos on our Facebook page!

First 5 Seeks Child Care Pathways Design Team Members

Are you a parent, grandparent, or primary caregiver in Alameda County? Have you struggled to find affordable child care? Make a difference and join First 5 Alameda County’s Child Care Pathways Design Team.


Affordable child care can be hard to find, but you can help make it easier by sharing your experience. Be part of the team that will help First 5 Alameda County create a tool for parents and caregivers to have easy access to the care they need. As a Design Team member, you’ll receive: Meals during meetings, $200 stipend per meeting for participation plus $50 per meeting to help cover child care and transportation as needed, and translation, interpretation, and other accommodations as needed. You can find out more information and to apply, visit https://www.first5alameda.org/designteam – deadline to apply is August 30, 2024.

Resources

Community Partners and Child Care Sites:

Review and Discuss the "Father-Friendly" Principles

Studies show that children thrive when their fathers are actively, consistently, and positively involved in their lives. As service providers, we should do our best to see, support, and serve fathers and father-figures.


The Alameda County Fathers Corps (ACFC) is hosting a "Father-Friendly" Principles Training at the First 5 Alameda County Conference Center (1115 Atlantic Avenue Alameda, CA 94501) on Saturday, August 24th from 10am-1pm. Lunch will be provided and attendees will receive a Fatherhood calendar for their agency. Through video, presentation, panel and small group discussion, training participants will get insight into fathers’ needs, learn strategies for effectively engaging fathers and father-figures, and receive useful tips for creating a father-friendly environments.

 

Register for the training here. For more information, you can view the flyer. Questions? Email qualitycounts@first5alameda.org.

Featured Events

Strength in Connection:

Thriving Through Stress, Adversity, and Trauma

September 4th-September 25th

Wednesday Evenings | 6pm-7:30pm | Virtual

You are invited to Strength in Connection, a series of 4 FREE online parent engagement workshops!


Our Strength in Connection series empower attendees to listen and learn from one another while providing specific, meaningful content related to Thriving Through Stress, Adversity, and Trauma. This series will support participants’ ability to create, support and sustain safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children within and outside formal learning environments.


Limited spaces available. Register now here.

Hayward Pomise Neighborhoods Parent Promise Academy

*SESSION IN SPANISH

September 9-November 4

Every Monday | 10:30am-12pm Virtual

As the summer draws to a close, our Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) division is gearing up for another Spanish session of the Parent Promise Academy with an in-person celebration at the end of the program. Parent Promise Academy is aimed at helping parents from a variety of backgrounds in establishing connections with other parents in the downtown Hayward area. Participate in conversations and acquire comprehension regarding the establishment of a nurturing environment for your children ages 0 to 8 years old. If you are interested, click here to fill out the eligibility form.


For additional information and eligibility requirements, please reach out to Serena Michel, the HPN Family Programs Coordinator, at serenam@4c-alameda.org.

Hayward Pomise Neighborhoods Academia Promesa Para Padres

*SESIÓN EN ESPAÑOL

9 de Septiemre-4 de Noviembre

Cada lunes | 10:30am-12pm

Virtual

A medida que el verano llega a su fin, nuestra división Vecindarios Promesa de Hayward (HPN) se está preparando para otra sesión en español de Parent Promise Academy con una celebración en persona al final del programa. La Academia Promesa Para Padres tiene como objetivo ayudar a padres de diversos orígenes a establecer conexiones con otros padres en el área del centro de Hayward. Participe en conversaciones y adquiera comprensión sobre el establecimiento de un entorno enriquecedor para sus hijos de 0 a 8 años. Si está interesado, haga clic aquí para completar el formulario de elegibilidad.


Para obtener información adicional y requisitos de elegibilidad, comuníquese con Serena Michel, coordinadora de programas familiares de HPN, en serenam@4c-alameda.org.

Upcoming

4Cs Events & Trainings

Food Distribution

September 5 | 1pm-3pm

In-Person at Hayward Office

Register Here


RCP/FA (para proveedores de cuidado infantil)

14 de Septiembre | 8:30am-5pm

En persona en la oficina de Hayward

Registrarse


It Might Get Messy (for Child Care Providers)

September 21 | 9:30am-11:30am

In-Person at Hayward Office

Register Here


Papás Unidos

24 de Septiembre al 29 de Octubre

6pm-7:30pm

Virtual

Registrarse

Upcoming
Community Events
Learn more about what is happening from outside organizations within Alameda County.

Career Opportunities

Supervisor, Payment Programs

Family Services Unit

Full-Time

Hayward Office

Apply Here

Child Care Services Specialist,

Family Services Unit

Bilingual in Dari preferred

Full-Time

Hayward Office

Apply Here

Child Care Services Specialist,

Family Services Unit

Full-Time

Oakland Office

Apply Here

Child Care Services Support Specialist

Bilingual in Spanish required

Full-Time

Oakland Office

Apply Here

Give to 4Cs of Alameda County

Thank you for helping us uplift families, providers, and our community!

Donate Now

4Cs of Alameda County 

www.4calameda.org

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