April 15 | Weekly Digest: COVID-19 Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing

Bright BeginningsAdvocacy, Community

COVID-19 Response & Recovery Plan

Our goal is to ensure that young children have quality, nurturing, and safe child care and education as physical distancing and other guidelines continue in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The next Coalition Call will be held on Wednesday, April 21 from 1:30-2:45pm. If you are not already receiving calendar items, please RSVP here.

For more information about this effort and the coalition behind it, please visit our web hub here.

This Week’s Highlights

A few highlights from this last week are shared below. Previous Weekly Digests are available here. 

By the Numbers

370 ECE and FFN providers received the COVID-19 vaccine at the March 31 clinic at MCOE.

48% of Monterey County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as reported here by the County on April 12.

News

  • As of today, April 15, all people over the age of 16 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine! See the list here for more information. Here are a few ways to get your vaccine appointment:
    • The Child Care & Wellbeing Recovery Coalition is hosting easy Moderna vaccine clinics in Salinas (Saturday, April 17) and Greenfield (Saturday, April 24). Register for an appointment by phone. Here’s the flyer, please share!
    • You can now get COVID-19 vaccine appointments through MyTurn.CA.gov or by phone at 1-833-422-4255 (M-F 8:00am-8:00pm, Sa-Su 8:00am-5:00pm).
  • There is a lot of news out there about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For the facts and information on how the Monterey County Health Department is responding click here.
  • Here is a new quick guide for educators who think a child may be showing signs of COVID-19. 
  • Testing for COVID-19 is still important to track variants and to keep our community safe. Here is where you can get a list of testing sites in Monterey County. 
  • More free cleaning and PPE supplies for early care and education are coming in! On Wednesday, April 21 from 10:00am-6:00pm, MAOF will be hosting a drive-through distribution, including adult and child-sized masks, hand soap, disinfecting wipes and spray. Here’s the flyer!
  • Get your child care licensing questions answered! Community Care Licensing is hosting local licensing calls and virtual meetings for educators to provide more information on the COVID-19 disease, vaccine guidelines, and an overview of the recent notices. There will be a question and answer time, so be sure to join the Zoom Meeting on Saturday, April 24 at 9:00am. Check out the notice here and get registered by clicking here. 
  • Interested in learning more about the 2021-2022 school year? The California Department of Public Health has just released their outlook for the school year, focusing on next fall and helping schools prepare more deeply based on the data collected over the year. The outlook appears to be positive for in-person learning in the fall! Click here for the document. 
  • Children may be experiencing a range of emotions, including stress during this time. Parents can help children prepare for stressful moments by talking about feelings with their children to encourage healthy emotional development. Check out this great resource from Child Care Aware. 
  • It’s the Week of the Young Child! Find special activities to celebrate here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

  • Visit www.MontereyCountyChildCare.org for easy steps to finding vaccine appointments and other vaccine-related information.
  • Help spread the word about the importance of vaccinations in your community. Here are tools and examples of some short and impactful messages for the Spanish-speaking community that can help.
  • Check out a whole library of vaccine information in indigenous languages! Centro Bilingual and Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis created multilingual videos with three important messages for our community: to look in their county for when it’s their turn, a message on the safety of the vaccine, and the potential side effects. Click here for the library of videos and share widely! 
  • Quality Matters invites you to attend their free information sessions on the COVID-19 Vaccine for the early childhood community on Thursday, April 22 via Zoom. Download posters here and share with others in your community. Each session will be held in English and Spanish! Educators, caregivers, and family members welcome!
  • Vaccines are safe and important to help stop the spread and reach herd immunity against the COVID-19 virus. Bilingual posters from Yolo County are available here to download and share!
  • More information on COVID-19 and the vaccine is available from Community Care Licensing:
    • General info about COVID-19 vaccine for child care providers: frequently asked questions, web links to vaccines, and other information that may be helpful. Directors, managers, and supervisors are encouraged to share this information with their staff and others working with children. Please feel free to copy and share this information. 
  • Have you been vaccinated and wondering about face coverings and socializing? Continue to wear your face mask in public and you can socialize with other fully vaccinated people! View more guidelines from the CDC here.
  • The CDC has released information on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for the safety information and here for the myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccine.

General COVID-19 & Public Health

  • There are many opportunities to find financial relief. Visit the Monterey County Health Department website for Emergency Aid Resources here and see the flyer (in English and Spanish) here. 
    • Rent, utility, food, and cash assistance are available for those who qualify for COVID-19 relief through United Way Monterey County.Call 211 to find out more and share these flyers with families in need.
    • FEMA is managing a program to offset funeral or burial expenses up to $7,000. Funds are eligible for US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or qualified aliens, though there is no requirement for the decedent to be any of these. Apply by calling their dedicated line at 844-684-6333. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. 
  • Unable to pay rent due to COVID-19? The Attorney General has provided a simple form for tenants to notify their landlords about their inability to pay rent. Click here for the form. 
  • Monterey County has reached the Orange Tier! What does that mean? There may be fewer restrictions for businesses, social gatherings, and public places. Check out the latest information on the state guidelines for counties in the orange tier here by entering “Monterey” within the county field. You can also get local information from the Monterey County Health Department here. Great job to everyone for getting to this milestone!
  • The California Department of Public Health has updated their framework and guidance for schools. Find out what is needed to move forward with in-person learning. Click here for more information. 
  • Think you might have been exposed to COVID-19? Here is a chart that outlines the steps you can take to limit the spread. 
  • The CDC now recommends all persons who have been exposed to COVID-19 quarantine for 10 days instead of 14 days. For the updated guidance (released February 18), click here. 
  • The Monterey County Health Department has a FAQ page that answers many questions related to COVID-19. Check out their site here, which may help you understand how Monterey County is addressing the pandemic. 
  • Monterey County Office of Education and the Monterey County Health Department have provided a scenario map to help programs respond to cases of COVID-19 on site. Use this communication and action sheet to help you make the right decisions for families and children in your community. 
  • Find the most recent guidelines from the California Department of Public Health for day camps, schools, and child care providers and CDC’s guidelines for school settings and California Safe Schools for All.

Resources

All Ages Distance Learning Supports

  • The CDC has released new school guidelines (updated February 22) to help protect students and staff from COVID-19. Check out the new Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year here and School Guidance Checklist here. 
  • Need help with distance learning for your school-age child? Families and providers in Monterey County who need help with distance learning can get support from their school district’s technology department. Click here for a list of district online tech support links. 
  • The CDC has released an immunization and developmental tracker for children 0-6 years. Click here to download the CDC tracker.
  • Bright Beginnings Greenfield Early Learning Partnership is holding its 6th Annual TK & Kinder Resource Fair via drive-thru on April 28 from 3:00-6:00pm. Help spread the word, please share these flyers in English and Spanish.

Resilience & Mental Health Resources

  • Take a deep dive into sustainable self-care practices for helping professionals exposed to trauma. The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center is sponsoring Bringing Our Whole Selves to the Work: Self-care Through Trauma Exposure on April 21 at 10:00am. This is a free online interactive workshop that will help you develop an understanding of the impact of trauma on the self, the work, and the clients you serve. Click here for the registration form.
  • Practicing some simple mindfulness activities with your children can help both adults and children when they are feeling anxious or stressed. Zero to Three provides some easy activities to do with your children that can be fun and beneficial for your emotional health! Check out their activities here. 
  • Shake off that stress with a livestream video and instruction featuring Forza Vital. This fun and motivational group activity is being offered by MAOF every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:45-7:20pm. Contact MAOF at 831-757-0775 to register.
  • Does your child need more emotional or mental health support than you can provide? The Kinship Center Mobile Response Team provides immediate services to families with a child or youth (ages 0-21) experiencing a mental or emotional health crisis – big or small. Services are available M-F 8:00am-10:00pm, S-S from 11:00am-9:00pm and by hotline 24/7 at (831) 687-4379.
  • COVID-19 Child Care & Wellbeing Response & Recovery Coalition partners have posted valuable resources on how to talk about diversity and racism with young children. Check out what First 5 Monterey County has shared:
  • Social-Emotional Learning is a critical part of supporting the children and families in our community. This Social-Emotional Roadmap provides critical practices for reopening schools with equity-focused strategies as we move forward toward healing.

Child Care & Education Quality & Business Tools

  • Are you interested in starting a child care business in your home? There are funds available to help you get started and a new learning cohort is starting soon. Contact MAOF at 831-757-0775 and share this flyer with your friends and family.
  • Interested in starting a Family Child Care program? CAPSLO can help you with design, paperwork, and tips to get you started! Contact Daisy Jacuinde at (831) 821-1593 or djacuinde@capslo.org for more information.
  • The Golden State Stimulus Package was signed by the Governor. This is great news for those impacted by the COVID-19 virus that are in need of funds and support. Read the information from Senator Anna Caballero’s office here.
  • Workers who have questions about their rights including unemployment, keeping workplaces safe, temporary housing, and other questions during the pandemic can call the California COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-422-4255 or go to the California for All COVID-19 page here. 
  • California’s recovery starts with child care! Read and share this fact sheet with advocates to support the early childhood workforce and recovery efforts. Get the fact sheet here. 
  • Community Care Licensing has numerous FAQs related to COVID-19 and ECE settings. Be sure to check the website for the most updated information here. 
  • The State Master Plan for Early Learning and Care has been submitted to the Governor. The plan includes recommendations for pay equity, quality enhancements, training and education paths, better outcomes for children, and other important elements. Our own local representative, Sonia Jaramillo, is a member of the Early Childhood Policy Council (ECPC) providing input and a voice in the development of the plan. Click here to access the entire report. 
  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation released its report on the Importance of Childcare to U.S. Families and Businesses and cross-sector solutions to recover from COVID-19. Feel free to use this publication in your efforts. Click here to see the report. 
  • Community Care Licensing has released best practices for child care educators who are serving school-age children. The information includes ways to enhance communication with families, the importance of schedules,
  • Early Start provides free services to infants and toddlers (0-3 years) with disabilities and their families. The San Andreas Regional Center serves Monterey County and can provide speech, occupational and physical therapy, nutrition, nursing, and other services. Flyers and information to share with providers and parents are available to help understand the importance of early intervention and prevention. Click here for more information. 
  • The statewide Resource and Referral Network released a report highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on family child care arrangements, plans, and preferences. In 2020, over 12,000 parents responded to a statewide survey. Click here to access the report.

Children’s & Family Activities & Resources

  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium has online family-friendly science activities to encourage wonder and connection to the natural world. Check out these amazing resources here! They also offer online courses in English and Spanish here. 
  • Want to go to your local park or playground? Here is a link to city parks that will help you plan your trip. Some parks are still closed, so please check the park listing before you go! The California Public Health Department has released guidelines for use of public playgrounds.
  • Unable to pay rent due to COVID-19? The Attorney General has provided a simple form for tenants to notify their landlords about their inability to pay rent. Click here for the form. 
  • An Alisal Union School District Kindergarten teacher created a Spanish and English site called Kinder Rockets, full of fun, music-filled learning activities. It’s gone nationwide!

It Takes a Coalition 

The emergency response providing coordinated solutions for child care and education is led by a coalition of early childhood champions, united under the Bright Beginnings Strategic Framework to better support all young children and their families, to prepare every child for life and school. This coalition is ever-growing:

4th Monterey County Supervisorial District
30th California Assembly District
Building Healthy Communities
CAPSLO
Carmel Unified School District
Child Care Planning Council
Child Development Centers and Continuing Development Incorporated
Children’s Council
Early Development Services
First 5 Monterey County
Go Kids, Inc.
Health Department
MAOF Resource & Referral & Alternative Payment Program
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Natividad Medical Center
North Monterey County Unified School District
Office of Education – Early Learning Program
Office of Education – Educational Services
Public Health Office
Quality Matters Monterey County
Salinas City Elementary School District
Social Services – Child Abuse Prevention Council
United Farmworkers Foundation
United Way of Monterey County
YMCA

A special thanks to the coordinating team and major funders: Bright Beginnings Backbone, Child Care Planning Council, First 5 Monterey County, MAOF Resource & Referral, Quality Matters, and the United Way of Monterey County.

For more information, please contact sonja@brightbeginningsmc.org.