News, Notes, and Announcements from 4Cs of Alameda County, January 2024

News, Notes, and Announcements from 4Cs

January 2024

A Note From Our Chief Executive Officer

Dear friend of 4Cs,

With a new year comes a fresh start, a clean slate, a moment of reflection and preparation for the next twelve months. Every year I take time to find a word to focus on for the upcoming year. In 2024, PREPARE is my word of the year. After a year of celebrating 4Cs of Alameda County’s 50th anniversary, we look forward to preparing for the next chapter of 4Cs’ programs and services. 4Cs is preparing for hopeful new funding for ECE in Alameda County to support programs and services for little ones and those who care for them across the county. We’ll be preparing for the future by working with our leadership team on a new strategic plan to guide us over the coming years. And, as always, preparing for another year of exceptional service to our community. Later this month, 4Cs staff will be invited to create their own vision board for the new year and think about a word that encapsulates what their focus is for 2024. I encourage you to think about your own vision for 2024 and word to guide you along the way. Together, with a north star word to guide us, we can PREPARE for a successful and prosperous year ahead.

Be well,

Renee S. Herzfeld

Chief Executive Officer

Staff Spotlight

Charles Chan

Coordinator, Payment Programs

“I love working with the 4Cs team where I feel lots of love, care, as well as support. Everyone is willing to step in when any one of us needs help. Moreover, I feel a lot of respect and receive strong support from management team. I am blessed to have such an awesome team as my family at work.”

If you visit 4Cs of Alameda County’s office at the Fremont Family Resource Center, you will be greeted with the friendly smile and boundless energy of Child Care Service Coordinator, Charles Chan. After joining 4Cs as a Child Care Services Specialist in 2010, Charles was promoted to Coordinator in 2022, and now serves the Fremont Family Resource Center clients with their child care needs. Charles is proud to be a part of an agency and team that supports him as much as he supports the families he serves. He shares that the most rewarding part of his role is helping families let going of their worries and achieve success. We are so grateful to have Charles as a critical member of the 4Cs’ team.

News

Our RISE Holiday Toy Giveaway Brought Smiles and Cheer

to 362 Children!

The 4Cs garage in Hayward was full of excited shoppers on a rainy December 19, as we hosted our annual RISE Holiday Toy Giveaway for 172 families. Many children came to the event and chose their own toys and books. For others, parents popped the gifts into bags to save for later surprises. All in all we gave away 724 toys and 724 books throughout the afternoon. In addition, we were able to offer diapers and a great selection of food items, including 2,900 pounds of fresh produce.

While 25 agency staff members had the privilege of sharing these resources, the event was made possible through generous donations by many community members and organizations. Toys were provided by Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots, Park Day School in Oakland, Fremont Hospital, the Pioneer Bookstore at CSU East Bay, as well as many friends, board members, and staff of 4Cs. Diapers were made available by SupplyBank.org and Baby2Baby. Books came from a variety of sources, including Oakland Literacy Coalition, First Book Marketplace, the Family Engagement Institute at Foothill College, and Tandem, Partners in Early Learning. Finally, the big truck from Alameda County Community Food Bank rolled in with 10 pallets of pantry staples, holiday specialties, fruit, and vegetables. The RISE team at 4Cs is very grateful for these partnerships that make possible such special events.

View the amazing photos of our event on our Facebook page.

Weekes Community Park Bench Dedicated to

CEO Renee S. Herzfeld

During the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration event, 4Cs Agency Leadership Team and Board of Directors announced a surprise that a bench would be installed at Weekes Community Park in Hayward in honor of Chief Executive Officer, Renee S. Herzfeld, for her almost four decades of service to 4Cs of Alameda County and the greater community.

The bench was officially installed on Tuesday, January 16th right by the children’s playground (behind the library), under a beautiful tree canopy and it looks amazing! For those who frequent the park, be sure to check it out.

Thank you, Renee, for your unwavering committment to 4Cs of Alameda County and our community's families, children, and child care providers!

Resources

4Cs VITA Service Begins on January 31st

It’s that time of year again to file your taxes! Take advantage of 4Cs of Alameda County's FREE

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program!

Starting January 31, 2024, 4Cs of Alameda will begin providing free tax preparation to Alameda County families and individuals. Low to moderate income tax filers qualify for 4Cs of Alameda County's VITA services.

We will offer two options to help file your taxes this year:

• Drop-Off Service – Make an appointment to drop off your documents by calling our VITA Site Coordinator, Alicia Broussard, at (510) 925-4018.

• Virtual Service – Upload your tax documents to our safe online secure portal at getyourrefund.org/4cs.

CCPU Health Care Fund Application for

Child Care Providers

Child Care Providers: Help Paying for Health Care Is Available. Apply Now!

• To access the Child Care Providers United (CCPU) fund, you must be enrolled in a qualified health plan. Because some healthcare plans/changes are only available during open-enrollment, it is best to begin the application process now.

• Child care providers who serve families using child care subsidies can apply.

• You can qualify if you are an undocumented worker.

• You do not need to be licensed to apply. If you are licensed, one application per license is allowed.

• Union membership is not a requirement for eligibility.

Please refer to the FAQ page or contact CCPU Health for questions and assistance

How to Sign-up

Visit ccpuhealth.org or call (833) 714-6028 and specialized staff will help you apply. Application available in multiple languages!

Featured Events

Car Seat Installation Check at 4Cs

Join us for a hands-on, informative event on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:00pm to ensure your precious cargo is riding as safely as possible. The event will be held at 4Cs of Alameda County (22351 City Center Drive, Hayward).

Features of the Event:

• Free Car Seat Safety Checks

• Expert advice on Correct Car Seat Installation and Usage from Certified Professionals

• Information on Latest Car Seat Regulations and State Laws

**APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED. Call 510-618-2050 to schedule yours!

Details about the event can be found on the flyer and event page.

Brought to you by:

Hayward Promise Neighborhoods Toddler

Play & Learn

February 6 - February 29

Tuesdays & Thursdays

10:30am-12pm

In-Person at Hayward Office

Juega y Aprende Para Niños Pequeños de Hayward Promise Neighborhoods

6 de Febrero y el 29 de Febrero

Martes y Jueves

10:30am-12pm

En persona en la oficina de Hayward

The HPN team at 4Cs wishes you a Happy New Year and the start of the 2024 Winter session of HPNs Toddler Play and Learn is just around the corner! Families with children ages 18 months to 4 years old who reside in the Downtown Hayward Promise Neighborhood are welcome to join our bilingual playgroup, Spanish and English, that focuses on fostering their social, physical, and emotional development alongside pre-school readiness and literacy. Have a great time with your child while you learn and engage together! This program is intended for families residing in the Downtown Hayward neighborhood who are not using formal early care and education programs.

To register please click here.

For more information and eligibility questions, please contact Serena Michel at serenam@4c-alameda.org.

¡El equipo de HPN en 4Cs les desea un feliz año nuevo y el inicio de la sesión de invierno de 2024 de HPNs Toddler Play and Learn está a la vuelta de la esquina! Las familias con niños de 18 meses a 4 años de edad

que residen en el vecindario de Downtown Hayward Promise son bienvenidas a unirse a este grupo de juego bilingüe en español y inglés, que se enfoca en fomentar su desarrollo social, físico y emocional junto con la preparación preescolar y la alfabetización. ¡Diviértase con su hijo mientras aprenden y participan juntos! Este programa está dirigido a familias que residen en el vecindario del centro de Hayward que no están utilizando programas formales de cuidado y educación temprana.

Para registrarse haga clic aquí.

Para obtener más información o preguntas sobre elegibilidad, comuníquese con Serena Michel en

serenam@4c-alameda.org.