Monday, July 9, 2007
Commission Meeting
 
6:00 p.m. 50 Douglas Drive, Second Floor Conference Room
Martinez

Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Program and Evaluation Committee
 
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 1340 Arnold Dr., Suite 125, Conference Room,
Martinez

There will not be a Commission meeting in August.
 

Childhood Matters schedule
 
Tune in to Childhood Matters Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on 98.1 KISS-FM
for parenting information and advice. Visit
www.childhoodmatters.org
to learn more and listen to past shows.

6/24/07:
Understanding Health Care

7/01/07:
Helping Children with Sensory Integration Issues

7/08/07:
How Children Cope When a Parent Dies

7/15/07:
Rona’s Bookclub: The Power of Play by David Elkind

7/22/07:
The Impact of Divorce on Children

7/29/07:
Healthy Eating Right from the Start

Nuestros Niños Topics
 
Childhood Matters’ Spanish-language counterpart, Nuestros Niños, airs every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on KLOK Cumbia 1170 AM and KBBF, La Nuestra 89.1 FM.

6/24/07:
Pediatric Consult: Answers and Access to Resources for Nuestros Niños' Health

7/01/07:
Asthma and Tobacco Smoke: Threats to Nuestros Niños’ Health

7/08/07:
Nuestros Niños Make Good Use of Summer: Activities that Promote Fun and Learning

7/15/07:
Let’s Play!: Play Fosters Nuestros Niños’ Development and Learning

7/22/07:
Temperament Types: Understanding Nuestros Niños’ Personalities

7/29/07:
Where to Live with Nuestros Niños?: Questions and Problems Around Housing Issues

First 5 is directly reaching Contra Costa communities as never before. More than 6,000 families have participated in First 5 Contra Costa-sponsored community events in the last six weeks alone!

In April, our East County Regional Group -- highly dedicated community volunteers -- held their sixth annual Week Of the Young Child Fair in Pittsburg. 3,600 people attended and over 30 community agencies were present. While the number of people was impressive on its own, I was particularly amazed by the diversity of families, united in their desire for support and activities for their young children.

This month our Central County Regional Group held their fourth fair in Concord for a similarly diverse crowd, and we cosponsored school readiness fairs with the Antioch and West County School Districts for hundreds more families.

I am most proud to say that we opened our West County First 5 Center in San Pablo on May 12. Our hats are off to everyone who contributed to making the First 5 Center a reality, especially the First 5 Center Community Advisory Council, the West County Regional Group, and staff at Bay Area Community Resources who operate the Center.

At each event, I was catching a glimpse of what a community that truly supports and values children looks like. When I saw children playing, singing and dancing; teen volunteers bustling to set up and break down the stages and booths; our elected officials mingling with the crowds and local agencies leaving empty handed, having given away all the materials they brought, I saw a new level of contribution to our County. The more we do theses activities and events, the more people can feel the energy of a community working together to support families.

Let's continue this great work so that every family thrives in the lively and diverse communities of Contra Costa.

- Sean Casey, Executive Director

• Click here to find programs and services happening at the Antioch, Bay Point, Delta, Monument, and West County First 5 Centers.
  
  
• Click here to watch our bilingual parent education DVD. It models everyday activities parents can do to stimulate their child’s early learning and prepare them for school. Contact tirwin@firstfivecc.org if you would like to distribute copies of the DVD.
  
  
• After a competitive process, First 5 Contra Costa has selected the Family Stress Center to implement the First 5 Center in Bay Point. Classes will continue at the Ambrose Community Center through the transition. Contact (925) 473-5282 for more information.
  
  
• The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child has recently released a 16-page framework entitled The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do.

The new and improved Kit for New Parents is now available in English and Spanish. This free parenting resource, valued at $75, has been completely revised and updated. It includes everything from practical advice on prenatal care to information on a child’s first years.

A key component of the Kit is an educational DVD with parenting advice from prominent child development experts. The Kit also contains the easy-to-read books “Advice for New Parents,” and “What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick,” as well as “Puppy and Friends,” an interactive book for parents and children to enjoy together.

Asian language versions of the updated Kit will be released later this year.

Distributing this FREE resource is easy! Just call the Contra Costa Child Abuse Prevention Council: (925) 755-4200. Click here for more information about the Kit.

	TiShawne, Rachell and Imani Rucks (right) are among 200 people that enjoyed the West County First 5 Center grand opening festivities.

Last month marked the official kick-off for the West County First 5 Center, which offers parents with young children in Richmond and San Pablo a welcoming place to receive free resources and classes to help them bond with their children. Classes include literacy programs, “Mommy and Me” groups, parent education classes, music, art and enrichment classes.

The Center’s unveiling featured 200 local community members, including families and community leaders, coming together to enjoy tours of the beautifully refurbished 4,100 square foot building and demonstrations of Center classes such as Creative Movement, Music Together, Tot Art and Storytelling. Every room of the Center was full of parents and children dancing, creating art and playing together.

In addition to services offered at the West County First 5 Center located at 2707 Dover Avenue in San Pablo, classes are also offered at the Nevin Community Center and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Richmond. To sign up for classes, call (510) 232-5650.

First 5 Contra Costa is awarding nearly $150,000 in grants for local community improvement and literacy projects that benefit Contra Costa County children ages 5 and younger.

Twenty-one Family-Friendly Community grants up to $10,000 each are being awarded to community groups and nonprofit organizations to support playground improvement projects, community festivals, health and safety activities and projects that improve the environment.

“First 5 Contra Costa’s Family-Friendly Community Grants provide parents and community members the means to take action and make important changes for young children in their communities,” said Sean Casey, Executive Director of First 5 Contra Costa.

Among the grant recipients were the Oakley Delta Lion’s Club, which will use its $9,700 grant to purchase a toddler structure for the new playground at Creekside Park. Parents for a Cleaner Environment, made up of 50 families from preschools and playgroups in West County, will use its $5,000 grant to conduct the Kids Creek Fest and Clean-up Day in Fernandez Park in Pinole.

Eight “Ready, Set, Read” grants totaling $21,900 were awarded to nonprofit organizations, public libraries and adult school programs to purchase books, conduct family literacy projects and encourage parents and caregivers to read to babies and young children.

Other organizations, such as First Baptist Head Start in Pittsburg will use its $3,000 grant to conduct storytelling and literacy workshops for fathers. The Richmond Library’s LEAP program, which provides services to adult literacy learners, received $3,000 to conduct monthly family reading events throughout Richmond.

	Sean Casey joins First 5 Solano Executive Director Christina Arrostuto and Congressman George Miller at the National Children’s Summit

First 5 Contra Costa Executive Director Sean Casey was one of eight local delegates selected by Congressman George Miller to attend the National Children’s Summit in Washington D.C. last month.

The summit, cosponsored by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Miller, brought together experts to discuss how public policy can and should reflect the science of early childhood. Distinguished panels of scientists and practitioners presented findings on the science of early childhood development, early learning, health and mental health, and income and family support.

“We must examine how best to craft science-based legislation that can support the developing brains and needs of young children.  Supporting and investing in young children is not only the right thing to do – it is the necessary thing to do if America wants to remain competitive in the global economy,” stated Congressman Miller in his opening remarks.

The discussion focused on prioritizing legislative initiatives that strengthen the future of America’s children, including reauthorizing Head Start, with a focus on Early Head Start for children three and under, expanding state-funded health insurance programs, and making housing affordable for families.

Stated Speaker Pelosi, “Great strides have been made in understanding how children’s brains are shaped and developed, how positive behaviors can be encouraged, and how investments in early childhood create success in later years.  We must ensure that our policies match the latest research and that families are given what they need to take advantage of these scientific advances.”

For more information on the summit, click here.

The County's Preschool Makes a Difference (PMD) Plan - a strategic plan to provide quality, voluntary preschool for all 3- to 5-year-olds in Contra Costa County - is finished! The Plan's recommendations cover program excellence, accessibility and availability, family needs, and workforce development.

Click here to read it.

Planning began in 2004 when First 5 Contra Costa, the Contra Costa Child Care Council, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education formed a collaborative to create a strategic plan for universal preschool in Contra Costa County. The Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department joined the effort in 2006.

Dozens of advocates, parent support organizations, and representatives from early childhood education, community colleges, and K-12 education contributed their time and expertise to the Plan.

PMD's vision is to ensure that all kindergartners in Contra Costa County are prepared to learn and have improved potential for success. Planners suggest that an additional 4,400 preschool slots will need to be created. While PMD aims to serve all children, initial priority will be to serve families with the greatest need.

Funding for PMD is not currently available, but as resources are identified, PMD will launch a pilot program and then expand in phases. In the meantime, highlights of the Plan were shared with the First 5 Commission at our June meeting, and will be shared with the County Children and Family Policy Forum at the end of July.

Last month, the Family Economic Security Partnership sponsored a day-long planning session to determine strategies for helping low-income families and individuals in Contra Costa gain economic security.

FESP is a public, private and nonprofit collaboration dedicated to increasing the income and building the assets of low-income families and individuals living in Contra Costa County.

Over 40 policy makers and representatives from financial institutions, public agencies, and community-based organizations attended the planning session. After being welcomed by County Administrator John Cullen, and learning more about asset development work statewide and in the county, attendees went to work developing concrete strategies and activities for year-round asset development in Contra Costa County.

Participants identified financial education, including credit counseling and management, budgeting, and financial planning, as the top asset-developing strategy.

FESP will use this information to develop a strategic plan identifying year-round asset-developing strategies to help low-income residents gain economic self-sufficiency. Click here for more information about FESP, and how you can become involved.

Coming to First 5 Contra Costa with nearly twenty years experience in nonprofit management, program development, and public health, Cheryl Smith began serving as our new Deputy Director in January.

For the last nine years, Cheryl was the founding Executive Director of the Bayview Hunter’s Point YMCA, which served 600 youth annually. She previously spent seven years working for the San Francisco Department of Public Health as an educator for the Childhood Lead Prevention Program and serving as a disease control investigator. Cheryl received her master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from San Francisco State University. She was named one of ‘The Ten Most Influential’ African Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area for 2003 in City Flight Magazine.

What was your favorite book as a child?
The Little Red Hen

What food did you refuse to eat when you were a child?
Spinach.

Who are your heroes?
My mom, and so many other women who’ve blessed me in my life.

Which historical person do you most admire?
Harriet Tubman.

What would make Contra Costa a better place for kids?
Creating safe and secure environments for families.

What is your motto?
Work and play to achieve health & happiness for yourself and others!

The Safe & Bright Futures for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence partnership recently unveiled a two-phased plan to better serve the needs of children affected by domestic violence. Supported by a planning grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, over 20 public and private agencies, including First 5 Contra Costa, have participated in this effort since 2005.

“Exposure to domestic violence has a profound and devastating impact on children,” said Devorah Levine, the project’s director. “Research confirms that exposure to trauma like domestic violence reshapes the human brain. And it substantially contributes to the high cost of law enforcement, housing, criminal justice, health and mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. We all pay a high price.”

With input from over 200 community members in an extensive assessment process, the partnership has developed a plan that identifies multiple strategies to reduce the impact of domestic violence on Contra Costa’s children.

The plan’s first phase focuses on preparing parents, service providers, policy makers and the general community to act on behalf of children and youth exposed to domestic violence. Strategies include raising community awareness about the issue through a public education campaign and training professionals working with children to ensure high quality care.

The second phase of the plan focuses on how to integrate and improve the system of care. Strategies include developing a consultation team to support providers working with children exposed to domestic violence, implementing a coordinated case management service system, and advocating for local and statewide policy changes on children’s exposure to domestic violence.

“We are currently presenting the plan to various stakeholders in the community,” said Levine. “There are multiple opportunities for people to get involved and help us to create safer and brighter futures for our children.”

For more information about the plan and ways to get involved, contact Devorah Levine, Office of the County Administrator, Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative dlevi@cao.cccounty.us or (925) 335-1092.