From April 10-16, organizations across the world will celebrate early learning, young children, teachers, and families. Last week, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring this week as Week of the Young Child in Monterey County. A special thank you goes to Supervisor Chris Lopez and First 5 Monterey County for sponsoring the resolution and to our partners from the Early Learning Program, Quality Matters Monterey County, and Mujeres en Acción for their comments.
“It truly does take a village to not only raise a child but raise up early childhood education systems. I say this as a County employee, and as a parent of two young children who have been deeply impacted by this pandemic,” Megan Matteoni from MCOE shared during the Board of Supervisors meeting. “It is comforting to know there are agencies out there like Bright Beginnings who advocate for family mental health and overall well-being.”
“Now more than ever we know that we must continue to work on servicing the whole child and allowing them to be part of the holistic approach — where the adults pay attention to their physical, personal, social, and emotional needs,” stated Sonia Jaramillo of the Early Learning Program.
“Bright Beginnings is an essential program to the community,” shared Brianna Hernandez from Mujeres en Acción. “Many families are struggling especially during these times and this program has been a huge help to us at VIDA and to the families in Monterey County.”
Bright Beginnings Director Sonja Koehler reflected, “As we celebrate this Week of the Young Child, we must also celebrate those that hold them, raise them, teach them, take care of them…investing in early child care is investing in people. It’s racial justice, it’s gender justice, it’s economic justice. And all our futures depend on it.”
Learn how to participate in the Week of the Young Child on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website here.
Also, as of today, April 15, all individuals ages 16 and over are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To make an appointment, please go to MyTurn.CA.gov or visit www.MontereyCountyChildCare.org for easy steps to find an appointment and other vaccine-related information.