News
For Educators
- Provider Information Notice (PIN) PIN 23-08-CCP was released on May 16, 2023 with a summary of information affecting child day care facilities. Some of the highlights include regulations and requirements on expulsion of children, the elimination of the toddler option, and school age care to include children enrolled in transitional kindergarten.
- The Everbridge notification system through Community Care Licensing (CCL) provides easy ways for CCL to contact licensees in case of imminent disaster like wildfires and floods or extreme heat. This system will continue to be in place and providers must respond to the system when prompted either by phone or text.
- There are several upcoming opportunities to contribute to the new DRDP (2025) instrument. Click on one of the following to provide feedback on the instruments you use:○ Infant/toddler view○ Preschool view○ DRDP-SA for CDSS-supported (extended day) programs
Spanish and Chinese translation of this invitation can be accessed here.
Visit the DRDP (2025) Recruiting Dashboard to learn more about additional opportunities for input. - 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.
- Stipends for child care educators/providers are headed to you! See if you are eligible to receive $1,442 per subsidy child and complete the required ARPA survey by August 15, 2023.
- Early Math Symposium is open for Educators! Learn more about early math fundamentals and how to incorporate tools into your classroom/home on Friday, June 23 from 9:00am-3:00pm. It’s virtual and free!
- MPC is offering online summer courses in ECE! Register for Child Growth and Development, Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children, and Child, Family, and Community.
- Calling all Monterey County licensed family child care educators and centers! Quality Matters Monterey has released the 2023-24 application for new Quality Matters sites, due Thursday, June 15. Join a community of ECE professionals, receive coaching, technical assistance, stipends, and resources to support your professional growth. Learn more about Quality Matters and watch this video for highlights.
- Plan on attending professional development next year? Check out the 2023 Early Care and Education events from Quality Matters. Topics include DRDP mini sessions, teaching pyramid, math concepts, ASQ and more!
- ECE Community College students: ECE Career Educational Support grants are available for help with tuition & textbooks. The Child Development Training Consortium is offering these funds on a first come, first served basis.
For Families
- Fathers need support too. Here are three skills that will help fathers thrive from the Greater Good Science Center.
- Taking your child to get necessary vaccinations can be difficult. Health and Human Services has a resource, Make Vaccine Shots Less Stressful and Painful for Your Child in English and Spanish.
- Children love to help! Take a look at a 5 minute exercise that supports cooperation, kindness, and accomplishment 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.
- Find the right program for your 3-4 year old. Check out the Monterey County Office of Education UPK Community Magazine for UPK resources. Available in Spanish and English.
- A list of Monterey County Schools with links and contacts are available for the community. Contact your school district for UPK, TK and school related services.
- Monterey Bay Parent magazine has released their June/July issue. Check out their summer happenings.
- Why are physical exams important for children? Physicals can help find and prevent medical, dental and mental/behavioral health issues before they become urgent. Get free health checks and immunizations at the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program. Check out and post these fliers to learn more.
- Breastfeeding support groups in Salinas and Soledad! Get the latest information on nutrition and child care as well as support with other mothers. Save the date for the Breastfeeding Walk in Salinas and Soledad on August 1 and 3.
- Now Enrolling! Hartnell College ECE program welcomes you and your child to quality child care on the Hartnell Campus. Morning and afternoon sessions are available.
- Connect with other moms and their children (0-5) at the Maternal Well-Being play groups. In person and ZOOM groups are being offered. Learn more or call Sandra Avina at (831) 796-6118.
- Fun activities for you and your family are happening at the Salinas Library. Check out their calendar of events for times and dates.
- Looking for child care? Go to Montereycountychildcare.org or Mychildcareplan.org for help finding the right care for your child.
For All
- The Siembra Latinos Fund awards annual grants to nonprofit organizations and groups serving nonprofit organizations and public agencies serving Monterey County residents. Grant applications are open June 15 and are due August 4.
- FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic.
- Monterey County programs offer public assistance including WIC, Medi-Cal, breastfeeding support, and CalFresh. Help families in need apply for services.
- Monterey County child care supply and demand data is available. This data shows the number of spaces that are licensed for children in both homes and centers. Other interesting data is included like child care and family budgets!
- 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 or others you know interested in starting a child care business? MAOF is recruiting potential family child care homes and is offering free training, marketing, and up to $1,000 to new or expanding child care programs in Monterey County. Learn more or call MAOF at (831) 757-0775.
- 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.
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: [email protected].
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 [email protected].