Spotlight at Alisal Unified School District
On April 28, at the Alisal Union School District (AUSD) Board of Trustees meeting, informal child caregivers, also known as Family, Friends, and Neighbors (FFN), were recognized for their contribution to the wellbeing of children and their parents during the pandemic. Despite concerns for their own health, FFNs continued to care for children throughout the pandemic — providing care around the clock and also becoming distance learning supporters. An estimated 70% of all families rely on FFN care throughout the week, sometimes patched together with part-time preschool and kinder programs.
This effort was led by local early childhood champions Daisy Hernandez of Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) and Iris Gamez of Bright Beginnings, as part of a Women’s Policy Institute fellowship. To watch the video featuring FFNs, click here and here. Special thanks to Claudia Melendez and Susan Ratliff of AUSD for their help with this presentation to the Board!