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
August 4, 2022 | COVID Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing
July 28, 2022 | COVID Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing
July 21, 2022 | COVID Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing
For past editions and more early childhood development news, click here.
- Schools are ready for kids, and taking all of the necessary precautions to keep them healthy. Here are a few things that can help your child get ready for the new year:
- Vaccinate your child against COVID-19
- Keep your child home if they are ill
- Wash your hands and your child’s hands
- Keep your distance in large gatherings or wear a face mask
- There is still time! Preschool, Transitional Kinder and Kindergarten programs are still enrolling students for in-person learning. Contact your local school for more information. Here are some tips for a less stressful start to their first school days.
- You may be hearing that Monkey Pox is in Monterey County, however it is very rare in children. Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, has provided some information here that may reassure you.
- Middle Schools and High Schools in California have new start time requirements! As an example, the MPUSD bell schedules and more information about the reason behind the late start times is located here.
- The California Department of Public Health updated their guidance for K-12 programs on July 22. Read the full update here.
- Persons in a child care setting, regardless of vaccination status, do NOT need to quarantine after an exposure.
- All exposed persons 2 years of age and older are strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure.
- Anyone who develops symptoms, even if they previously had COVID-19 or are vaccinated, should isolate and get tested.
- Join the Hartnell ECE Apprenticeship Program and get a paid job in ECE while taking ECE courses in the evening. We need ECE teachers who love working with young children. Share this flyer.
- Looking to make a difference in Monterey County? Bright Beginnings is looking for an Integrated Services Program Manager! Help spread the word and view job announcement here.
- The Parenting Connection of Monterey County will be hosting in-person and virtual Wellness Groups for parents in English and Spanish that are struggling with any of the emotional stressors that can result from becoming a new parent. As always, the Support Warmline is available to receive voice and text messages 24hrs a day from both families and professionals: (831) 783-5933. Register here.
- Access MCOE's Early Care and Education Department virtual magazine for future professional development opportunities available for ECE providers here!
- There are additional funds available for materials, training, and fees associated with starting new and expanding child care programs in Monterey County! Contact Maria Ortiz at the Resource and Referral at 831-757-0775 for information
- The Monterey County Preschool Service Corps (PSC) program is looking for new AmeriCorps members for the 2022-23 year to support language and literacy development in partnering preschools. Visit Monterey County's United Way website or contact Taylor Jonte-Saiz at (831) 757-3206 x 204 for more information.
- Check out the Quality Matters calendar for future professional development opportunities available for ECE providers!
- Need to find a testing or vaccine clinic in Monterey County? Visit MontereyCountyVaccines.com or find your location in the bilingual flyers below:
- Families in your program may have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and over. Here are some trusted sources of information to share:
- Frequently Asked Questions about Vaccines for Young Children from the California Childcare Health Program (CCHP)
- 6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children from the CDC
- What should parents know about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5? From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in English and Spanish
- FAQs from Parents/Guardians about COVID-19 Vaccines from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in English and Spanish
- DHHS' Make Vaccine Shots Less Stressful and Painful for your Child in English and Spanish
- Share a fun book with young children that helps them understand the importance of getting vaccinated! Download “A Shot for Potter & Spots” for free from First 5 Santa Clara County.
- Need a COVID-19 home test for your staff or families? We have free kits available at the Bright Beginnings office. Contact Cristina@brightbeginningsmc.org to get some for your program or home!
- Vaccines for younger children are available! Families with children under 5 should contact their child’s pediatrician, visit a local clinic that provides vaccines for children under 5, or go to myturn.ca.gov. Visit Vaccinate ALL 58 to learn more about the safe and effective vaccines available for all Californians 6 months and older.
- The CDC has updated its guidelines for child care programs during COVID-19. The new page recommends always using some COVID prevention tools (vaccination, ventilation, hand washing).
- If you missed the recent California Department of Public Health (CDPH) event for First 5’s about the newly authorized 0-5 COVID-19 vaccines, a recording is now available. The presentation features vaccine information and a Q&A with attendees. View the recording here.
- Do you think your program has a COVID-19 outbreak? When children are present and a child has tested positive in a child care setting, providers can complete this form and submit it to Monterey County Public Health. If a child has tested positive outside of that child care setting and does not attend the child care center, then providers may report the positive case here.
- With an uptick of COVID-19 cases in our area, check out the Monterey County Health Department webpage on treatment of the illness.
- Want to know more about quarantine and isolation recommendations? Here’s the latest information from the CDPH. The guidance for child care programs is located here.
- Did you misplace your COVID-19 vaccine card? Sign up for a new digital vaccine card from the California Department of Public Health! Get a vaccine card here.
- If you haven’t ordered your free at-home COVID test kits, what are you waiting for? Get 4 kits (2 boxes with 2 kits in each) for your family. Place an order for your household here.
- Individuals who are unable to leave their home due to a medical condition may be eligible for in-home vaccination services. Call the Central Coast Visiting Nurses Association at 831-648-3777 to schedule an appointment or call the California COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255.
- In addition to scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments, My Turn is an online tool that allows Californians to schedule their flu vaccinations and find walk-in clinics in their area. Learn more about the flu vaccine with this up-to-date fact sheet from the CDC.
- With an increase in seasonal flu and COVID-19 rates, the CCLD is urging all licensees and providers to get vaccinated against the flu now even if they have already received a COVID-19 vaccine, including the COVID-19 booster. Be sure to continue to refer to the CCLD website for COVID-19 information and resources. Previous PINs for licensed providers can be found here.
- Can kids get the flu vaccine at the same time as they get the COVID-19 vaccine? Yes! Boston Children’s Hospital shares why, here. Go to myturn.ca.gov to schedule an appointment.
- Want to know more about the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters? Check out this link from the California Department of Public Health. For some helpful Q&A’s click here. Access the MyTurn.ca.gov website and schedule an appointment.
- Sharing fun and interesting materials with children is one of the best ways to engage them in learning. Check out El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center’s toolkit that includes comic book-style materials about COVID-19 vaccines for children.
- Monterey County has released a quick animated vaccine video with a superhero theme. Check out the videos in English and in Spanish, and share them with your communities.
- The Biden-Harris Administration launched a new nationwide Test to Treat initiative in March 2022 to give individuals access to free, lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. Through this program, people are able to get tested, receive a prescription for oral antivirals, and have their prescription filled all at one location when appropriate. Check out the Test to Treat initiative.
- The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program provides crucial services for families, children, and educators in Monterey County including current health informational presentations, training, free health checks, and immunizations. Check out these flyers to learn more.
- Community Care Licensing issued a PIN for child care providers on March 9. This guidance includes the use of face masks, sick children or positive COVID-19 test results, children who are exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive, and other important information.
- The Community Foundation for Monterey County has released a COVID-19 Communications Toolkit here including flyers, social media graphics, and resources to share.
- Save this important number that you can call if you are a school or child care provider and have a potential COVID-19 exposure. Call the Communicable Disease Call Center at 831-755-4521 to report exposure, suspected cases, and for contact tracing. For general COVID-19 questions, you or your families can call the Phone Tree at 769-8700.
- The CDC has released new COVID-19 prevention guidelines for the K-12 school system (inclusive of TK, they just call it K-12).
- There is an interactive decision tree if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 at your school site. Check out this easy-to-follow link.
- CDPH has revised the Safe Schools for All social media toolkit to help Californians reduce COVID-19 risk in schools.
- Wondering when you should keep your child home from child care? Check out the Quick-Screening Guide for COVID-19 for parents and caregivers from the UCSF California Childcare Health Program. Find the one-page guide here.
- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) strongly recommends, but does not mandate, the use of face masks indoors. The latest guidance from CDPH on face masks is located here.
- A publication from the CDPH - Mask for Kids - is available to show how particles spread with and without wearing a mask. Check out their flyer here.
- Follow these tips to stay safe and protect yourself, family, and friends from the COVID-19 virus.
- Upgrade your mask: Good fit and filtration continue to be the best way to get the most out of your mask. The best masks for preventing COVID-19 include the N95, KN95 and KF94.
- Get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu: It’s your turn now! It’s recommended for everyone over six months of age to be vaccinated for the flu. You can get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines on the same day.
- My Vaccine Record is an easy way to show vaccination status at venues or businesses that require proof of vaccination. Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov to get your vaccine record.
- Stay home & get tested if sick: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches), or believe you have been exposed - get tested, call your healthcare provider, and stay home and away from others. Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home from work and school if you feel ill.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Travel tips: Delay travel (both domestic and international) until you are fully vaccinated. If you must travel before being fully vaccinated, consider getting tested before and after travel. See the CDC’s full travel guidance.
- Avoid crowded venues or areas when cases are high.
- Add your phone to the fight: Sign up for COVID-19 exposure notifications from CA Notify.
- Answer the call or text if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to reach you.
- Check with the Monterey County Health Department about local conditions.
- Sources say that babies may have been impacted by the COVID pandemic more than we realized. The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life are often referred to as their brain’s window of opportunity. Find out more in this article by EdSource.
- Many of the chemicals we use for cleaning are actually meant to sanitize and disinfect. Most of the time, soap and water will do the job. This poster from CCHP helps you think about what tools are best for the job you’re doing. Check out this website from the UCSF California Child Care Health Program on safer cleaning and sanitizing products.
Resources & Tools
- FEMA will offset COVID-19 related funeral or burial expenses for eligible persons in the US. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. Click here for more information and apply by calling (844)684-6333.
- Did you know that there is a new WIC website in Monterey County? Visit here for more information.
- Do you know someone who is uninsured and needs medical services? Esperanza Care of Monterey County is available to low-income residents who do not qualify for Medi-Cal and have no other insurance. Applications can be obtained from the Monterey County Health Department, Natividad Medical Center, or Pacific Health Alliance at (800) 533-4742. Here are flyers in English and Spanish to share with your community.
- FEMA will 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. Click here for more information.
- 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.
- Check out MCOE's Early Care and Education Department virtual magazine here for future professional development opportunities available for ECE providers!
- Want to get some great ideas on designing classrooms that promote kindness? Here’s a link to an article on classroom design from The Greater Good Science Center.
- Want to track your child’s developmental milestones? Check out the milestone tracker app from Learn the Signs, Act Early to track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
- Looking for simple ways to help children with math? Check out these fun videos for all ages.
- A free toolkit to help communities prepare for natural disasters is available for those working with children and youth. Take a look at this great resource, which takes a trauma-informed approach to working with and being ready to help.
- Do your kids say school is “boring”? Check out this article from the Greater Good Science Center that digs deeper into why children sometimes say they are bored at school, with some tips on how to help.
- Do you want to learn more about independent study in California? This short article from EdSource describes how it works.
- Did you miss the PBS NewsHour Specials? Click here to access the entire series. Videos are less than 10 minutes and can be shared with families, leaders, and your community.
- Inclusion Works is available now for all programs. This second edition includes updated strategies to help programs that are working with children 0-12 years of age and their families. The information included is great for children with and without disabilities! Get your copy here.
- Creating Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments for Children is the latest resource from the CDC. It is a collaboration between various experts including the California Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services, Child Abuse Prevention, and others to highlight positive ways to elevate primary prevention and positive parenting. Check out this informative resource and share it with your community.
- There is a new federal phone number for people experiencing mental health emergencies — 988. Share the 988 toolkit here.
- Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC) can help educators, families, and children cope with traumatic experiences and challenges as well as build social emotional skills. Their Coming Together and the ABC’s of Racial Justice includes information on how adults can talk about race, prejudice, and skin color. More tips and activities from SSIC are available here.
- Understanding Bias in ECE settings as well as our workplaces can lead to positive change and a better community. Check out this very short article from the Greater Good Science Center, which gives us some tips on rooting out bias.
- Coastal Kids Home Care is offering grief services for kids, teens, and adults. Funeral assistance associated with COVID-19 as well as other support is available from the Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey County. See flyers here.
- 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 calling their 24/7 hotline at (831) 687-4379.
- The Parenting Connection of Monterey County is holding free postpartum support groups for new and not-so-new moms. As always, a 24 hour warm line is available (831) 783-5933. Please share these flyers.
- Did you know that all child care providers can request free consultation services from the California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Network? These professionals are available to promote social-emotional health and wellbeing of children and the adults who care for them. For a free consultation, call 877-524-2422 or visit cibc-ca.org.
- Feeling the pressure of being a parent during the pandemic? Check out the six ways to deal with parental burnout from the Greater Good Science Center here.
- Try out this Stress Buster Tool Kit shared by First 5 Tehama. It provides quick checklists and strategies to help families understand how to identify toxic stress and effectively cope with stress.
- Did you know that at least 30% of California students said they’d lost a loved one during the pandemic? See how schools have helped students cope with grief through counseling and adult support in this article and how schools are focusing on emotional health and relationships in this article, both by EdSource.
- Feeling anxious about socializing with others, even if you’re vaccinated? Check out these 6 Tips for Socialization After You’ve Been Vaccinated from the Greater Good Science Center.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Community Care Licensing has provided a powerpoint for licensed child care educators. View it here.
- Looking for resources to help build a child care facility? Check out this link from BuildUp for resources.
- All 58 counties in California continue to be under a state of emergency due to extreme and expanding drought conditions. Community Care Licensing reminds all licensed providers to be prepared for and continue responding to: extreme heat, public safety power shut offs (PSPS), wildfire emergencies, and long-term drought. Child care providers are strongly encouraged to refer to PIN 21-07-CCLD and PIN 21-13-CCLD, which provide essential guidance on how to be prepared for extreme heat/drought, and this information on the Everbridge emergency response system.
- Check out the Building Businesses Back (BBB) website to find grants, loans, workshops, and other resources for your small business. They can help with child care businesses, too! Check out this webinar recording here.
- Curious about the statistics behind child care and access in Monterey County? Take a look at new data on where child care is by zip code here (click on the green Monterey County Child Care Access Map button). This is just a start of the kinds of data Bright Beginnings and its partners will be sharing over the next months, as we work together to improve access to child care in our community.
- Check out the latest enrollment info by region with this easy to use graphic from EdSource. Trends show enrollments are dropping along the coast, and rising inland most likely due to housing costs.
- Did you know that Monterey County received an additional $351,747 in one-time funds to increase family child care spaces? This funding is called the Child Care Incentive Project (CCIP)-ARPA funding and is provided through MAOF’s Resource and Referral program. Funds are available to help family child care programs that closed during the pandemic re-open, stay open, or expand their current license and for new family child care programs to become licensed. Contact Maria Ortiz, 831-757-0775, at MAOF for more information.
- Are you or others you know interested in starting a child care business? MAOF is recruiting potential family child care homes in addition to offering free training, marketing, and up to $1,000 in support to new or expanding child care programs in Monterey County. Share these flyers with your friends and family or call MAOF at (831) 757-0775 to learn more.
- Hartnell College was awarded the CAI grant for Monterey County’s ECE Apprenticeship Program! This funding will support the pipeline of educators in our community through paid apprenticeship and educational support for learners. Join the fast track and earn a living while you learn the skills through the ECE Pathway. Sign up here or call 831-386-7105. Share this flyer in your community!
- Do you need a FAQ sheet to share with parents and staff? UCSF has an amazing resource for providers and parents with a variety of topics ranging from Autism to Vaccine Safety. All Fact Sheets are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese!
- Interested in starting a business (including a family child care), but not sure where to start? Register at the Empresari@ class for 13 virtual training classes and learn how to get a loan and other capital opportunities. Register for classes here or call 831-722-1224.
- Monterey County needs businesses that support families, both behind the scenes with strong family policies and in the public eye as a service to families. Ready to apply to become a Monterey County Family Friendly Employer? It's easy! Learn more and certify your business here. Child Care businesses are encouraged to apply!
- 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.
- Poisonings are preventable. The key to prevention is knowing where the resources are to help you act fast. Know the poison control number! It’s 1-800-222-1222. Click here for a free poster for homes, centers, and businesses.
- The Center for Disease Control has released an immunization and developmental tracker for children 0-6 years old. Click here to view and download the tracker.
- 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.
- If you are reading this, you are likely a mandated reporter for suspected child abuse. Click here for some answers to questions about reporting.
- There has been a recall of the Kidde TruSense Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms. This device can fail to alert you to a fire. See the PIN from Community Care Licensing here for the recall information and how to identify if your device is on the recall list.
- Want some fun songs and posters to share in your classroom and community? These great resources were developed by TMD Creative in collaboration with the County of Monterey. Click here to access the shared material.
- The Preschool Learning Foundations (volume 2) is now available in Spanish! Click here to access your copy.
- Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) received praise for their work and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Take a look at the full Grand Jury Report here.
- Want to know how much ARPA funding came into California and Monterey County? Check out this interactive tool that provides a breakdown by state, county, and city.
- Want to know more about Preschool through Third Grade (P-3) Alignment? Check out this page from the California Department of Education and this summary on the challenges and opportunities in California.
- Where are all the child care workers? As California tries to rebound, child care providers are not coming back to their jobs. Check out this article by Cal Matters that shines light on the problem.
- Wondering what is in the Build Back Better plan for the ECE community? Here’s a brief that explains the child care section of the Build Back Better plan.
- Take a look at the important panel discussion: Childcare is Everyone’s Business sponsored by the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s 7th Annual State of the Region Conference. Francine Rodd of First 5 Monterey County and Sonja Koehler of Bright Beginnings joined other speakers to discuss childcare workforce shortages, low wages, and the cost of childcare. Click this link to watch!
- Monterey County is one of the coastal communities that may be seeing a long term decline in K-12 enrollment. See this projection from EdSource that shows Monterey County with a projected 14.66% drop by 2031.
- Want to know more about how the disparity in funding at the school level impacts equity for children? Check out this eye opening article from Forbes on school funding inequities.
- Take a look at this interactive Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which measures the wellbeing of infants and toddlers in each state and shows the progress toward adopting statewide solutions.
- Like podcasts? Listen to this one on what Universal TK means for kids in California.
- Want to see a snapshot of where the funding is going in California’s education system? Check out this link from EdSource for a quick overview.
- Why do some districts offer TK and others don’t? This article by EdSource gives some insight into why some districts are reluctant to provide TK to their communities.
- 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.
- 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.
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.