News, Notes, and Announcements from 4Cs | |
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A Note From Our Chief Executive Officer | |
Dear friends of 4Cs,
With summer upon us, the fiscal year wrapping up, vacations planned, and beautiful weather to enjoy, I am reminded of how important taking time to slow down, reset, and relax is. While many in the child care field are still caring for little ones, families are juggling summer camps and summer care, and our own staff still as busy in the office as ever, I hope, no matter what role you have, that you take this message as sign to carve out some time for you. Whether it’s prioritizing ten minutes to call or write to a loved one, spending a few moments before your household members wake up to meditate and enjoy some peace, or taking a walk during your lunch break, this time for self-care and reflection is so very important. I know, for me, that this summer is an opportunity to reset my own self-care routine. I hope to enjoy more early mornings with coffee in the yard enjoying the birds chirping and windchimes, spending evenings and weekends walking and exploring our Bay Area trails and beaches, and checking out new restaurants with family and friends (I highly recommend Kitchen Story in Oakland and look forward to trying Khao Hom – a new Thai place just down the block from our Hayward office). Whatever calls to you to help prioritize self-care, relaxation, and helps you reset, I encourage you to find time now before summer passes us by.
Be well,
Renee S. Herzfeld
Chief Executive Officer
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Andrea Toleda-Estrada
Community Services Intern
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“At times, I don't even feel like it's an internship, I genuinely enjoy being a part of 4Cs and helping families who are in need.” | |
As a recently graduated senior at Hayward’s Mount Eden High School, Andrea Toleda-Estrada was looking for an impactful internship that would combine her passion for supporting her Hayward community while preparing for her future studies as Political Science and Sociology major. Throughout the summer, Andrea has supported 4Cs’ diaper and food distributions and has played an integral role in preparing for the agency’s upcoming back-to-school backpack distribution events. She has especially enjoyed having a hands-on impact on making sure families receive the necessities needed to thrive and learning about the deep needs of neighbors and community members through data and experience. Thank you to Andrea for all your help this summer and we can’t wait to see YOU thrive in your next chapter of education! | |
Gan Avraham Preschool Generously Donates Pancake Mix to 4Cs Food Pantry for Tzedakah Project | |
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Thank you to our friends at Gan Avraham Preschool for their thoughtful and successful end of the school year Tzedakah (Hebrew word for charity) project! After much discussion about giving back to the community and a vote to determine what kids in families served by 4Cs of Alameda County would appreciate, the young students voted and decided pancake mix would be the perfect non-perishable item to donate to 4Cs food pantry! The Gan Avraham Pancake Mix Tzedakah Project resulted in the delivery of shelves full of pancake mix, milk, and some canned fruit for good measure. Toda raba – thank you! We appreciate your generosity and our food bank recipients appreciate your kindness!
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Family Child Care Providers Supporting Inclusive Practices | |
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In partnership with Alameda County Office of Education and other Alameda County Resources and Referral Agencies, 4Cs of Alameda County launched the Community Perceptions of Inclusive Practices (CPIP) cohort in the fall of 2023 as part of our Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP).
To celebrate the conclusion of CPIP, an event was held on June 22nd for family child care providers from all over the Alameda County to network and learn inclusion support strategies. They received children’s books, visual aids, and $500 in inclusion materials along with the opportunity to receive another $500 stipend for full participation in peer discussions and learning courses.
4Cs of Alameda County provides Inclusion Navigation services for child care providers and parents who have children with developmental disabilities living in or providing child care services in Southern Alameda County. Learn more at 4calameda.org/parents-families/navigation.
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Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) Celebrates Another Successful Spanish Session of the Parent Promise Academy | |
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As the summer draws to a close, our Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) department has successfully wrapped up another Spanish session of the Parent Promise Academy with an in-person celebration honoring all those who committed to our 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, thereby facilitating the exchange of experiences and knowledge. Parent Promise Academy emphasizes the developmental milestones of children aged 0 to 8 years old through the implementation of the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors curriculum. The subsequent fall session will commence via Zoom in September 2024. For additional information and eligibility requirements, please reach out to Serena Michel, 4Cs' Family Programs Coordinator, at serenam@4c-alameda.org.
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CalKids College Savings Program | |
Research shows that children with money saved for college are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate than children without college savings accounts. A new program is providing each child born in California and eligible low-income public school students with up to $1,500 for college education and career training! 4Cs is partnering with the CA Cradle to Career Coalition to get the word out about this amazing opportunity. Claim your free money for college at calkids.org. | |
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Trauma Informed Practices in Early Childhood Education
(2-part Series for Child Care Providers)
Part 1 - Trauma 100: Saturday, August 3rd | 9am-3pm | Virtual
Part 2 - Trauma 201: Saturday, August 10th | 9am-3pm | Virtual
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Trauma 100 will cover the effects of various forms of trauma and toxic stress in early childhood, children’s brain development in the first five years, and the impact of traumatic stress on the brain and early development. Trauma 100 is the prerequisites for Trauma 201. Participants who attend Trauma 100 will be given the opportunity to register for Trauma 201.
Trauma 201 will help participants go deeper in learning and applying strategies to support children affected by trauma through the lens of an individual child. Participants will apply learning by developing individualized trauma-sensitive behavior plans for children with histories of trauma. You must attend Trauma 100 to participate in Trauma 201!
Register for the Trauma 100 session here. Please email Charita Bradshaw at charitab@4c-alameda.org for questions or concerns.
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Upcoming
4Cs Events & Trainings
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CPR/First Aid for Child Care Providers
July 27 | 8:30am-5pm
In-Person at Hayward Office
Register Here
Monthly Food Distribution
August 1 | 1pm-3pm
In-Person at Hayward Office
Register Here
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Upcoming
Community Events
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Learn more about what is happening from outside organizations within Alameda County.
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Give to 4Cs of
Alameda County
| Thank you for helping us uplift families, providers, and our community! | |
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Supervisor, Payment Programs
Family Services Unit
Full-Time
Hayward Office
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Child Care Services Specialist,
Family Services Unit
Bilingual in Spanish preferred
Full-Time
Hayward Office
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Child Care Services Specialist,
Family Services Unit
Full-Time
Oakland Office
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Child Care Services Support Specialist
Bilingual in Spanish required
Full-Time
Oakland Office
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