As one of the original organizers for the Bright Beginnings North Monterey County Collaborative Action Team (CAT), Director of Student and Family Services Noemy Loveless uses her deep understanding of community needs and passion for early childhood development to collaborate …
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) Focus Groups
Parents and childcare providers needed! How do we prepare our children for Kindergarten? First 5 Monterey County is developing two KRA focus groups, a Parent Focus Group and a Childcare Provider Focus Group! Have your voice heard in a countywide system …
In the Press | Monterey County Herald
The Monterey County Herald highlighted our Family Friendly press event in a recent article titled “Family-friendly businesses recognized.” The article described both certifications and provided quotes from Leinette Limtiaco, president of the Central Coast Federal Credit Union, Megan Kennedy-Chouane, senior manager of Bright Beginnings, …
Family Friendly Employer + Child Welcoming Business Launch Event
Today we partnered with Supervisor Jane Parker, Supervisor Simon Salinas, Dr. Nancy Kotowski and Jody Hansen of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to honor representatives of 10 of the 11 businesses and organizations who are the first in …
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) System Project Overview
Every 3 years since 2004, First 5 Monterey County has conducted a study of kindergarten readiness throughout the county, known as the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Bright Beginnings has used the data from the KRA as an indicator of readiness …
Listening Campaigns : Mothers from Pajaro and Salinas
We know that parents are children’s first and most important teachers. We also believe that our initiative will achieve more if it is led by those closest to the problems we seek to address — because they are also most likely to …
Good for Families, Good for Business
The Bright Beginnings Family Friendly Business initiative was featured in the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Journal, see page 13. Click here to read the full article.
Video | Opening Doors/Abriendo Puertas
A new video from Opening Doors/Abriendo Puertas and Intangible Productions demonstrates and provides insight for parents on how to communicate with their young children on topics that are particularly difficult to tackle, including the stress of bullying, and potential family …
United Way Supports CATs
United Way Monterey County has funded two new investments to expand quality, affordable child care: A Summer Bridge program for incoming Kindergarten students in Castroville who have not previously had access to center-based care. The program will help ease the transition …
Greenfield Kinder Family Festival – Video
The Greenfield CAT connected local agencies to families of young children by hosting the second annual Kinder Family Festival to ensure that young children have a successful transition into kindergarten school programs. During the four hour event, approximately 600 people attended …