News
For Educators
- Get your professional development hours! CECO is offering 12 new online professional development modules designed for early learning and care professionals in all roles and settings. These modules offer engaging, interactive online learning experiences that present current and relevant content. In addition, each series provides purposeful activities, tools for reflection, and resources that extend the learning experience. Sign up here to access free training modules at California Early Childhood Online (CECO).
- The next Community Care Licensing Webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 28 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Additional dates for important info will be held on June 27, September 26 and December 12. Register here in advance.
- MAOF is offering to reimburse ECE providers up to $100 for taking health and safety training. Take advantage of this generous offer by contacting MAOF at 831-757-0775. More information about this opportunity here.
- Access MCOE’s Early Care and Education Department virtual magazine for future professional development opportunities available for ECE providers here!
- ECE Community College students: Funds are available to help with tuition & textbooks. The funds will go fast, so share this application with those you know and apply early.
For Families
- The Central Coast Early Childhood Advocacy Network will be hosting their 2023 Parent Power Summit. Join this Saturday, February 4 from 9:30am – 2:00pm. Flyers and registration info available here.
- It’s time to Enroll!
- Greenfield is holding their PreK, TK and Kinder festival on Wednesday, February 15 from 2:30pm-5:30pm at the Greenfield Memorial Hall. Children’s activities and resources for your family will be available.
- MPUSD will be holding two events to help families enroll children in Infant care, Preschool, TK and Kindergarten. Bring your documents on Friday, February 10 from 4:00-8:00pm at Cabrillo Family Resource Center (Monterey Adult School) or Saturday, February 11 from 10:00am-1:00pm at Monterey Peninsula College, Marina Campus. For more info, click here.
- The Early Learning program provides low income children and their families with quality childhood development programs and integrated support services. Register today! Full Day and Part Day Options are available at select sites. Share the flyer here.
- Find out what’s happening at the Salinas Library. Lots of fun activities for you and your family. Sign up for in person and online events including Toddler Tales, Lego Master Builders and Family Crafternoon. Fun for all!
- Save the date for the Marina CDC Resource Fair on Thursday, May 4 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Raffles, give-aways and connecting with others will be part of the fun. Be sure to be there and bring your family- 3066 Lake Drive, Marina.
- Looking for childcare? Go to Montereycountychildcare.org or Mychildcareplan.org for help finding the right care for your child.
For All
- Salinas made headlines in EdSource! Check out this article about the collaboration between MCOE and the Every Kid Can Fly program.
- Calling UPK Leaders! MCOE is hosting a 2 day Tri-County leadership event supporting P3 alignment through play- based and inquiry driven learning. Register by Tuesday, March 14 and share the flyer with colleagues.
- The RAPID survey results are in. If you participated, or are interested in knowing how families responded to this survey on their children’s growth, family support and goals, read the findings here.
- 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 Bright Beginnings Family Friendly Employer? It’s easy! Learn more and certify your business here. Child Care businesses are encouraged to apply!
- Are you looking for full or part time employees? Check out the Jobspeaker link at Hartnell College to get your job listed and learn about ways to engage students as they enter the workforce. You can also complete the employer engagement interest form for other ways that employers can connect with Hartnell.
- The Resource and Referral Network provides data each year on the child care cost, availability and other important data. Monterey County’s most recent data is available here.
- 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.
- This Winter season, let’s gather in ways that limit the spread of respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and COVID-19. Check out ways to keep your family health by visiting the new HEALTH tab on the montereychildcare.org website.
- Need to find a COVID-19 testing or vaccine clinic in Monterey County? Visit MontereyCountyVaccines.com or find a location in the flyers: Free Testing and Free Vaccination sites.
Monterey County Vaccines By the Numbers
Overall, 81.1% of the eligible population in Monterey County have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. For more details on COVID health data, visit the Health Departments website here. Stay informed on all things COVID-19 on the Monterey County COVID-19 portal.
COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Vaccine Information ➡️ click here to learn more…
General COVID-19 & Public Health ➡️ click here to learn more…
Resources & Tools
Financial Relief for Families ➡️ click here to learn more…
All Ages Learning & Development Supports ➡️ click here to learn more…
Resilience & Mental Health Resources ➡️ click here to learn more…
Child Care & Education Quality & Business Tools ➡️ click here to learn more…
Policy & Advocacy ➡️ click here to learn more…
Our goal is to ensure that young children have quality, nurturing, and safe child care and education during and post-pandemic. For more information about this effort and the coalition behind it, please visit our web hub here.
News and resources are shared below. Previous Weekly Digests are available here.
If you have information, flyers, or events you would like to share in this publication, please contact or send information to: Laura@BrightBeginningsMC.org.
Want more information from Bright Beginnings? Stay up-to-date and join the mailing list for the BB Weekly Recovery Coalition Digest, Maternal Mental Health Task Force, and the BB Quarterly Update.
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.