July 28 | Weekly Digest: COVID-19 Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing

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COVID-19 Response & Recovery for Child Care & Wellbeing

Our goal is to ensure that young children have quality, nurturing, and safe child care and education during the pandemic. For more information about this effort and the coalition behind it, please visit our web hub here.

If you have information, flyers, or events you would like to share in this publication please contact Laura@BrightBeginningsMC.org.


This Week’s Highlights

A few highlights from this last week are shared below. Previous Weekly Digests are available here.

Stay up-to-date and join the mailing list for the Bright Beginnings’ Weekly Recovery Coalition Digest, Maternal Mental Health Task Force, and the Bright Beginnings’ Quarterly Update here. It’s free!

Monterey County Vaccines By the Numbers

Overall, 79.5% of the eligible population in Monterey County have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Stay informed with the Monterey County COVID-19 portal.

News

  • United Way Monterey County, VNA, and the Monterey County Health Department are seeking locations to host vaccination clinics for children 2 and up at NO COST. This is an opportunity to support families as they prepare for the school year by getting up to date on their immunizations. There are several opportunities available to help out in August and November! Contact Mary Ann Franscioni to schedule a clinic or for questions. See hosting requirements and available dates here
  • The California Department of Public Health updated their guidance for K-12 programs on July 22.   
    • 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.
    • Read the full update here.
  • Community Care Licensing has provided a powerpoint for licensed child care educators. View it here
  • Access MCOE’s Early Care and Education Department virtual magazine for future professional development opportunities available for ECE providers here!
  • Did you know that there is a new WIC website in Monterey County? Visit here for more information.
  • Visit the 831 Breastfeeds website for information on how to support breastfeeding mothers and children in your community. Join an upcoming annual breastfeeding walk and get a free t-shirt:
  • Concerned about child care rates and quality standards in California? The Rate and Quality Workgroup at California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will be meeting to discuss reimbursement rates and quality standards for child care and preschool programs on Friday, August 5 from 8:30am – 11:30am. Your recommendations and attendance are welcome. Register here. 
  • Save the date for Día De Los Muertos on Sunday, November 2 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Hartnell College La Plaza & Student Center. Click here for flyers and to reserve an altar. 
  • Looking to make a difference in Monterey County? Bright Beginnings is looking for an Integrated Services Program Manager! Help spread the word and view the job announcement here
  • What makes a successful transition to kindergarten? Click here to learn about best practices for promoting a smooth transition for children and families. 
  • 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. 
  • Thinking of starting a new business, or need some 1:1 support? Check out this training series, starting Tuesday, August 2, from El Pájaro Community Development Program. 
  • 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.  
    • English
      • 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:00pm – 7:00pm via Zoom 
      • 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:00am – 11:00am at Parents’ Place Library, Pacific Grove Adult Education
    • Español
      • 2nd Thursday of the month, 10:00am – 11:00am at the NEW PCMC Play and Learn classroom, 1212 Riker St, (Temple Beth El), Salinas
  • MPUSD is enrolling toddlers, Pre-K, TK, and Kindergarteners! Share these flyers with your community. Download the application 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.
  • Need to find a testing or vaccine clinic in Monterey County? Visit MontereyCountyVaccines.com or find your location in the bilingual flyers below:

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…


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.