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. Learn more about the COVID Response & Recovery plan here.
Latest Weekly Digests
April 8, 2021 | COVID Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing
April 1, 2021 | COVID Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing
March 26, 2021 | COVID Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing
For past editions and more early childhood development news, click here.
- Child care providers are feeling relief after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at local clinics. See the article in the Monterey County Weekly here.
- Free supplies are coming in! On April 21 from 10:00am-6:00pm, MAOF will be hosting a drive-through distribution of supplies for the early care and education community. Supplies will include adult and child sized masks, hand soap, lysol, and disinfecting wipes. Here’s the flyer!
- Special ECE & FFN clinics are scheduled for April 17 in Salinas and April 24 in Greenfield. Call to make your appointment: Bright Beginnings (831) 204-8076 (English y Español) or (831) 204-2251 (English only), and MAOF R&R (831) 757-0775 (English y Español). Help spread the word to all who help care and educate our young children! Here is a Spanish/English flyer.
- 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).
- Are you feeling overwhelmed, sad, angry, or “just not good enough” with your child? Do you know someone who can use additional support including play groups, classes, and postpartum support? There is help available for parents and guardians who may be dealing with the additional stress of parenting. Please share these important print-ready flyers that include lots of important resources.
- 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. This program will begin to accept applications for funeral expenses beginning Monday, April 12 by calling their dedicated line at 844-684-6333. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic.
- The third and final Community Based Response to Maternal Mental Health Needs and Family Well-Being in the Age of Covid webinar is being held on Friday, April 16 from 9:00-11:00am. Registration is open and welcome to all who are interested. Register here and feel free to spread the word by downloading flyers here.
- 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.
- 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 Monterey County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring April 10-16 Week of the Young Child in Monterey County.
- April is Child Abuse Prevention month! Check out this inspirational video thanking Monterey County Educators from Monterey County Prevention Council. It features Monterey County kids!
- It’s your turn! All early care and education providers, formal and informal, are eligible for the vaccine. Visit www.MontereyCountyChildCare.org for easy steps to finding vaccine appointments and other vaccine-related information.
- A new group of individuals are now eligible to get the vaccine! As of April 1, people over the age of 50 can now sign up to receive their vaccine and starting April 15, all people over the age of 16 will be eligible. See the list here for more 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, 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 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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:
- The Learning Resources for Children and Families page has activities for children to do at home along with anti-racism resources that include how to talk to children about racial bias, how to talk about race, and books that explain race and diversity
- Resources for Teachers and Families
- 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.
- 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 that are impacted by the COVID-19 virus and 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 childcare! 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, support for distance learning, free meals, and other tips. Click here to learn more.
- 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. Earlier in 2020, over 12,000 parents responded to a statewide survey. Click here to access the report.
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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:
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 Monterey County, and the United Way of Monterey County.
For more information, please contact sonja@brightbeginningsmc.org.
