VOICES For Children THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMUNITY CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF SONOMA COUNTY e ¡Busqu culos í t r a s o l añol! en esp Acknowledgement and Sonoma County’s Week of the Young Child D uring the Week of the Young Child this past April the Sonoma County Early Care Community was publicly acknowledged. The value of this recognition for a field that is often undervalued and underpaid should not go unnoticed. Throughout the week of April 20 – 26th, there were proclamations by city councils, child care tours with elected officials, and on Friday night, the Fourth Annual Evening of Honor was held. By Melanie Dodson, 4Cs Executive Director Over 200 individuals attended the 2009 Evening of Honor. The event was sponsored by the Sonoma County As- over 230 child development centers, 450 licensed family child care providers and staff from local child care agencies serv- Research continues to demonstrate that early childhood is the most critical development period in a child’s life, and that 90% of a child’s brain develops from birth to age five. sociation of the Education of Young Children, Santa Rosa Jr. College Child Development Department, Community Action Partnership – Head Start, the Sonoma County Child Care Planning Council, River to Coast Children’s Services and 4Cs. Attendees represented ing families and children birth to age 12. The work of these programs is about both education and positive relationships that support a child’s sense of self, sense of belonging and their overall growth, development and love of learning. Continued page 2 State Budget Crisis – Make Your Voice Heard Communicate to legislators as to how the proposed cuts will directly affect your family. (Find contact information on page 3.) A s this volume of VOICES goes to print the budget conversation in California is getting more serious by the day and our public investments in child care and our children’s health, education and well-being are in great jeopardy. We do not know how California state funded child care programs, Community Care Licensing, Healthy Families, CalWORKS or many other state funded programs will fare in the budget process. These programs support hard working Sonoma County Continued page 3 In This Issue Human Race: A Great Success!.............2 Legislators Contact Information....3 Quatro Pasos A Success...............4 Enroll Early at SRJC..............................7 Also inside — 4Cs Calendar — Volume 22 Number 3 Summer 2009 4CS News Acknowledgement and Sonoma County’s Week of the Young Child Continued from page 1 Child care, preschool and child development programs make a difference for families and children of all ages. The evening started with wine and delicious appetizers provided by KR Catering. Attendees received home made cookies from Glen & Franny Minnervini-Zick, chocolate provided by Guittard and of course long stem roses. The short program included emotional and heartfelt “Hug Awards” recognizing child care providers for their successes and perseverance over the past year. The evening rounded out with words from Dr. Carl Wong, Superintendent of Sonoma County Office of Education and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. Both speakers addressed the attendees, acknowledging the dedication and important work of child care providers and the Early Care and Education profession. The work of the early care and education work force supports the community of working parents, fuels our local economy and is a large piece of the puzzle to support our children in having success in elementary school and in life. workforce makes to the quality of life for children and families too frequently goes unnoticed. I want to take the opportunity to thank each of you for your hard work, your professionalism, your commitment and for setting the foundation for our children’s lifelong success. You CAN and you DO make a difference everyday! It is important that we take moments out of our busy schedules and lives to acknowledge friends, family, children, and all the people who make a difference in our lives. Missy Danneberg, Dr. Carl Wong and Melanie Dadson at Evening of Honor Event. Human Race: A Great Success! Thank you to everyone who helped course the larger community! To 4Cs participation in the Human Race be such a great success! In the spirit of the Human Race, 4Cs had great community support in this year’s race. Support came from 4Cs Board Members, staff, enrolled parents, providers and of date, we have raised $18,800! COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS Rose Sponsors: • The HR Matrix & • Summit State Bank The Evening of Honor was a memorable evening for 4Cs staff as well. The staff of the 4Cs Petaluma Child Development center was honored with a “Hug Award” in recognition of their 40 years of providing a high quality, full day preschool program at McDowell Elementary school. Everyone wants to be treated with respect, to be valued and accepted, loved, and cherished, and made to feel they are making important contributions to society. The contribution the early childhood Children visiting the 4Cs booth at the Human Race. Community Child Care Council Continued page 5 4CS News State Budget Crisis – Make Your Voice Heard Continued from page 1 families and protect the welfare of our children. These are truly unprecedented times. Our legislature faces a projected state wide budget deficit of over $23 Billion and every program, service and state job are on the table for possible cuts or elimination. Contact your local legislators and inform them how the proposed cuts to critical programs will affect the children and families in our community. These programs support the overall health of our community and the impact of their loss will be felt by all of us. Included below is the contact information of our local representatives: GOVERNOR Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 445-4633 Website: gov.ca.gov/interact Sonoma County Parents march at Stand for Children Day at the State Capitol. UNITED STATES SENATE STATE SENATE Senator Barbara Boxer State Senator Mark Leno 1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240 San Francisco, CA 94111 Phone: (415) 403-0100 Fax: (415) 956-6701 Email: [email protected] 455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14800 San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 557-1300 Fax: (415) 557-1252 Emial:[email protected] Senator Diane Feinstein State Senator Patricia Wiggins One Post Street, Suite 2450 San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: (415) 393-0707 Email: [email protected] 50 D Street, Suite 120 A Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Phone: (707) 576-2771 Fax: (707) 576-2773 Email: [email protected] CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Representative Mike Thompson STATE ASSEMBLY Assemblyman Wes Chesbro 240 Main Street, Suite 101 Napa, CA 94959 Phone: (707)226-9898 Fax: (707)251-9800 Email: [email protected] 50 D Street, Suite 450 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Phone: (707) 576-2526 Fax: (707) 576-2297 Email: [email protected] Representative Lynn Woolsey Assemblywoman Noreen Evans 1101 College Avenue, Suite 400 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Phone: (707) 542-7182 Fax: (707) 542-2745 Email: www.house.gov/woolsey 50 D Street, Suite 301 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Phone: (707) 546-4500 Fax: (707) 546-9031 Email: [email protected] Assemblyman Jared Huffman 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 412 San Rafael, CA 94903 Phone: (707)938-8157 Fax: (415)479-2123 Email: [email protected] The decisions being made by the Legislature and the Governor will decide the fate of many families and programs that support our community’s child care businesses and the hardworking families that receive child care subsidies. The entirety of proposed cuts unfairly target low income families that are working towards self sufficiency. Proposed cuts include the elimination of the CalWORKS program, drastic reductions to Community Care Licensing, Healthy Families and many more. In addition, it is proposed that families receiving child care subsidies pay family fees up to 50% more of what they currently pay, and providers will continue to be paid less than market value for caring for children paid by those subsidies. Voices For Children 3 4CS News Second year of Cuatro Pasos a Success! Cuatro Pasos is a practical training course for advanced Spanish Speaking Family Child Care Providers that has been offered in many counties throughout California. The goals of the training are: • To offer experienced family child care providers the opportunity to attain new concepts and skills that help them build their business and self esteem. • To offer providers a new language, validation and recognition that they deserve for contributing their knowledge on a daily basis. • To offer practical strategies that focus on promoting the wellbeing and professionalism of providers and to improve the quality of family child care. • To encourage providers to continue their education and to understand the value of higher education. • To motivate providers to value their work, promote their business and adapt strategies to their re- spective lifestyle and needs. • To help providers realize the importance of their work and positive contribution in the lives of children and society. 4Cs has now offered the Cuatro Pasos (Spanish for “Four Steps”) Training for two years in a row. This year, the training was held in March at the Sonoma Valley Inn in Sonoma. The training consists of an in-depth, 3-day training on the four steps: You, Our Children, Our Family, and Our Business. The providers go through a variety of activities and challenges that they can later implement Luz Zavala with Cuatro Pasos participants. 4 Community Child Care Council in their home and business. The nature of the training is such that the providers bond very deeply during the 3 days. At the providers’ requests, we facilitated a Cuatro Pasos reunion in April where 16 out of 19 providers (from both years) attended. The providers agreed to meet monthly and to support each other as providers and now friends. They expressed their gratitude for having had the opportunity to participate in the training and agreed to help get donations to facilitate other Latino Child Care Providers having the same opportunity. We were honored and humbled to have the chance to work with these providers. Article by: Cuatro Pasos Organizers: Conny Vergara, Martha Gomez, Luz Zavala and Susy Marrón. 4CS News Human Race: A Great Success Continued from page 2 Tulip Sponsors: Dry Creek Rancheria & Able Roofing Co. Daisy Sponsors: Morgan Stanley & Curry Landscaping Inc. Poppy Sponsors: Petaluma Auto Caption here Parts, Spragia Family Vineyards, Codding Enterprise, Extended Child Care, Electrical Equipment Co. in Petaluma Businesses that adopted 4Cs: WestAmerica Bank & Hidden Valley Community Preschool Individuals Who Collected Pledges on behalf of 4Cs: Luz Zavala, Nayeli Gonzalez-Calles, Dora Tejeda, Allison Goodwin, Chelsea Bailiff, Carly Busse, Susan Adams, Cheryle Calles, Sally Frey, Jose Enciso, Claudia Guzman, Sheila Whipple, Lara Magnusdottir, Lorie Siebler, Angelica Valencia, Sue Katz, Maya Labourdette, Melanie Dodson, Tina Paige, Mira Wonderwheel, Kim Keller, Tom Schwedhelm, Jo McCormick, Bob Sayers, Tracy Johnson, Katie Pierce, Gary Hochman, Rene Casilli, David Wattell, Christina Curry, Kay Cameron, Natalie Craighead, Linda Dusek, Maria Soledad Burton, Judy Berry, Ida Garretson, Lorraine Barlow, Dana Dunne Individual Donors: Doris Marin, Renee Noriega, Ana Santos, Angelina Corona, Carol and Doug Clark, Sharron Caesare, Alma Leon, Mariana Jimenez, Estela Pulino, Maria Elena Vidrio, Rob Monson, Deanna McKenzie, Sue Davy, Carol Oppenheimer, Patty Bordogs, Jonathan Graves, Ann Isaacs, Jonathan Graves, Michael Busse, Donna DeRosa, Manlynn Holland, Lisa Dehmer, Nicki Teldeschi, Kathy Dellagantina, Lesa Midhatch, Ana Calles, Lory Younger, Griffith Ray, Wes Farmilce, Kiwanis Club, Lori Guerini, Cheryle Calles, 4Cs staff and supporters at the Human Race Booth. Linda Hagle, Judy Crellin, Mike Busse, Leo Conner, Al Sawyer, Magie Caffery, Bill Franze, Taram Appelbaum, Peter Schiller, Roger Vincent, John Klein, Tod Remmerer, Allan Hardman, Maribel Hernandez, Cristina Lugo, Teresa Lopez, Carolina Ramirez, Naya Lupez, Raquel Gomez, Solorro Gomez, Olivia Franco, Margarita Ortega, Barbara Vaughn, Barbie Matthiesen, Carol Tolen, Diane Frey, Karen Beatty, Kathy Harrison, Rachel Kidd, Susan Meere, William Houston, Elizabeth Messick, Cynthia Podesta, Emily Musgrave, Heather Young, Kathleen Roberts, Kendra McKenna, Shauna Harrison, Andrew Miner, Joshua Ross, Pam Davis, Adam Shelton, Archana Mishra, Bill Backus, David Curry, Eric Holmberg, Gerald Richard, Ines Enciso, Jose Enciso, Kevin Pope, Magnus Asbo, Manikandan Karur, Mark Abrams, Marlene Rattenne, Mike Haslach, Mike Munroe, Nirav Modi, Ramone Hecker, Randy Beck, Richard Tiu, Ranald Evanjs, Tim Chappell, Tom Duly, Vishal Sharma, Anne Varco, Arlene Gardaya, Bernie Sayers, Bob Sayers, Carol DeFour, Carole Rehbock, Ellen Bonning, Gail Ginder, Hal Forman, Joanna Martinelli, Kathryn de Brauwere, Lucy Groetsch, Magie Caffery, Mary Ann Granieri, Melissa Phillippe, Monnet Zubieta, Nancy Noble, Peter Stickney, Ray Anderson, Rosalie Bulach, Roy Massen, Susan Davis, Teresa Welborn, Victoria Fullerton, Alice Gunn, Anne Hochman, Anthony Kortens, Douglas Legg, Ellen Lewis, Gary Hochman, Geoff Ramsey, Heather Young, Jill Sanford, Liz Cornish, Lucy Hochman, Mara Hochman, Margie Vondrak, Maria Pappas, Michael Freeman, Norton and Marilyn Armour, Richard Addison, Saul Eisen, Serene Cooper, Shelly Anderson, Susan Adams, Susan Gorin, Tom Karsten, Bonnie Hockman, Julie Eichenberger, Pamela Wiley, Susan Katz, Marinell Eva, Judy Edmonds, Rita Sever, Virginia Greenwald, Linda Rosen, Stephan Nielson, Katie Greaves and Matt Mensch, Penelope, Al Labourdette, Amy and Anthony Martin, Barbara Fromm, Chris Fritzsche, David Hanes, Don and Mary Dodson, Gary and Geri Bolin, Healther Young, Jayne DeLawter, Jean Clifford, Karin Hughes, Laura Sawyer, Pat and Dan Solter, Renee Whitlock, Richard Beebe, Robert Worth, Sarah Dodson, Scott and Melanie Bolin, Steve Osborn and Tom Ludovise Voices For Children 5 4CS News The children are watching, where are you leading? A ll adults who care for children have an important role in promoting their nutritional health. Being a good role model is the best teacher because children learn from us as we talk and eat together. The child’s early years are an opportunity to develop healthy habits for a lifetime. Action steps parents/adults can take: 1. Keep a variety of ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables available. For example: • Keep fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter. Choose items that are easy to grab and eat such as apples, pears, plums, and grapes. • Keep easy-to-eat vegetables in the refrigerator to grab as snacks such as cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, baby carrots and multi colored bell pepper strips. • Serve a fruit or vegetable with every meal and snack. • Bring home a new fruit or vegeta- ble every once in a while. Learn how to prepare it and encourage your children to try it. Have your children ever seen papaya, kiwi, baby bok choy, butternut squash or broccolini? 2. Sit down for a meal with your children at least once a day. • Research has shown that when children eat on their own, they are less likely to eat healthy food, including fruits and vegetables. 3. Understand the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and be a role mode. • If you eat fruits and vegetables, your children are much more likely to. Help your children understand why it’s so important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Los Niños están mirando; Hacia donde los está guiando? Todo aquél que se preocupe por los niños, tiene un papel importante en la promoción de su salud nutricional. La mejor manera de enseñar, es siendo Buenos modelos, porque los niños aprenden de nosotros cuando hablamos y comemos juntos. Estos primeros años son una oportunidad para desarrollar hábitos de saludables para toda la vida. Padres, Están Ustedes Señalando el Camino? Pasos de acción que los Padres/Adultos pueden tomar: 1. Siempre tenga una variedad de frutas y vegetales listos para ser consumidos. Por ejemplo: • Mantenga la fruta fresca en un platón hondo al alcance de la mano. Escoja produc tos que sean fáciles de agarrar y comer, como manzanas, peras, ciruelas y uvas. 6 Community Child Care Council • Tenga los vegetales fáciles decomer en un compartimiento del refrig erador para que los pueda tomar fácilmente como antojos. Pueden ser cerezas, tomates, judías o habichuelas verdes, zanahorias en trocitos y tiras de chiles/pimien tos de múltiples colores. • Sirva una fruta o vegetal con cada comida o antojo. • Traiga a su casa una fruta o vegetal diferente de vez en cuando. Aprenda como prepararla y motive a sus niños a que la coman. Haga que sus niños vean la papaya, el kiwi, hojas pequeñas con sabores, calabaza de bellota, calabaza o brócoli. 2. Sentarse para comer junto con sus hijos al menos una vez al DIA. • La investigación ha mostrado que cuando los niños comen solos, casi nunca comen alimentos nutri- tivos incluyendo frutas y vegetales. 3. Entienda los beneficios de salud de las frutas y vegetales así usted estará capacitado para ayudar a sus niños a que entiendan por qué es tan importante comerlos. t 4CS News Enroll Early For SRJC Classes This Fall the SRJC Child Development Department will be offering a wide variety of classes to help you meet your professional goals and increase your skills as a teacher. Additionally there will be many classes available for those needing to fulfill their general education requirements for movement upwards on the Child Development Permit Matrix. However, please be aware that due to budget cuts it’s likely that there will be fewer classes (and ultimately less seats) available. To ensure that you get the courses you want be sure to register early. Priority registration begins on June 29 for returning students and open registration begins on July 20. You can enroll online at www.santarosa.edu or get information about Child Development classes by calling the department office at (707) 527-4315. Parents! Request your list of licensed child care providers by phone and online! 4Cs by Phone: 707-544-3077 8:30 am-5 pm, Monday - Friday 4Cs Online: www.sonoma4cs.org select from menu: “Find Child Care” Online Hours: 24-hours a day To: Parents in 4Cs Subsidized Child Care Programs Report changes in your family situation that may affect your child care services. Report the following to your 4Cs case manager within 5 days: • Income • Family size • Employment • Residence • Child care provider Contact your case manager at (707) 544-3077, Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-5pm. Licensed Providers: Save, Save, Save— Money, Time, and Resources! Give Yourself a Rai$e! Sign up for 4Cs food program, and you can be reimbursed $50 per week (on average) for serving nutritious food to children in your care. 4Cs newsletter is now To sign up for this and other 4Cs nutrition programs: • Call the Child Health and Nutrition Program: 707-544-3077 or 1-800-977-5437 • Email: [email protected] • Visit the 4Cs website: www.sonoma4cs.org, choose Programs and Services available via e-mail! If you would like to receive 4Cs newsletter electronically, please send your email to: [email protected] Proveedores con Licencia: Dése usted mismo a un aumento! Support 4Cs: Usted puede recibir un reembolso de $50 promedio a la semana, por servir comida nutritiva a los niños bajo su cuidado. Donate, Volunteer! Regístrese hoy en 4Cs! Para detalles sobre éste y otros servicios de Nutrición en 4Cs: • Llame al Programa de Salud y Nutrición del Niño: 707-544-3077 o al 1-800-977-5437 • Dirección electrónica: [email protected] • Visite la página de 4Cs en la red: www.sonoma4cs.org, para escoger Programas y Servicios Padres! Pidan una lista de proveedores de cuidado de niños con licencia, por teléfono o por internet! Al teléfono de 4Cs: 707-544-3077 8:30am-5pm, lunes a viernes En la red de 4Cs: www.sonoma4cs.org Seleccione en el menú: “Find Child Care” Online Horas: 24-horas del día Your tax-deductible donation to 4Cs makes you a 4Cs member. Return the donation envelope inside this newsletter. 4Cs is also eligible for your United Way donations. Membership benefits: • • • Voices For Children, 4Cs quarterly newsletter Use of the 4Cs Toy and Resource Lending Library Invitations to our workshops and seminars Donate a Service or Product • • • Discounts on printing, graphic design, etc. Toys, books and educational resource materials Child-sized furniture, outdoor play houses or equipment, shelving, art supplies and books Volunteer in 4Cs Child Development Centers or Office • • • On board committees, doing fundraising, event planning, etc. For office work, marketing, etc. To work with children, Reading with Kids program, etc. Contact 707-544-3077, or [email protected]. Voices For Children 7 NON-PROFIT ORG. US POST PAID SANTA ROSA CA 95402 PERMIT NO. 308 396 Tesconi court Santa Rosa, CA 95401 RETURN SERVICE requested Since 1972 ~ A Generation of Care ... One Child at a Time 4Cs Services and Information Informacíon y Servicios de 4Cs The Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County (4Cs) is a non-profit organization, funded through the California State Department of Education, foundation grants and private contributions. Funding terms and conditions for all 4Cs programs are available for review by the public at the 4Cs office. El Concilio de Cuidado de Niños de la Comunidad del Condado de Sonoma (4Cs) es una organización sin fines de lucro, con fondos a través del Departamento de Educación del Estado de California, becas y contribuciones privadas. Las condiciones y términos de los fondos para todos los programas de 4Cs, están disponibles para revisión pública, en la oficina de 4Cs. 4Cs Mission: To inspire our community to support the well-being of every child, and to improve the quality and availability of child care in Sonoma County. 4Cs Services (Available in English and Spanish) For Parents Phone and online referral to licensed family child care homes, child care centers and other children’s services; resource and technical assistance; fee-based and subsidized child care for incomeeligible families; parent advocacy group; Toy and Resource Lending Library. For Child Care Providers Educational workshops on business, child development, health, nutrition and safety; food cost reimbursement program for licensed providers; technical assistance; Toy and Resource Lending Library; TrustLine Registry of license exempt providers. La Misión de 4Cs: Es animar a la comunidad a apoyar el bienestar de cada niño, además de mejorar la calidad y accesibilidad del cuidado de niños en el Condado de Sonoma. Servicios de 4Cs (Disponibles en inglés y español) Para los Padres Referencias por teléfono y en la red de internet, para casas de familia de cuidado de niños, centros de cuidado de niños y otros servicios para los niños; recursos y ayuda técnica; cuidado de niños subvencionado y pago para familias elegibles por sus ingresos; Grupo de Padres Defensores; Biblioteca de Préstamo de Libros y Juguetes. Para los Proveedores de Cuidado de Niños Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm Talleres educativos sobre negocios, desarrollo del niño, salud, nutrición y seguridad; reembolso de costos de comida para los proveedores con licencia; ayuda técnica; Biblioteca de Préstamo de Libros y Juguetes; “Trustline Registry” (huellas digitales) para proveedores en el hogar. Phone: 707/544-3077; Fax: 707/544-2625 Cómo Localizarnos Address: 396 Tesconi Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95401-4653 Horario: Lunes-Viernes, 8:30am-5pm Child Care Referrals Online: www.sonoma4cs.org, then choose “Find Child Care” in the menu on left Teléfono: 707/544-3077; Fax: 707/544-2625 How To Reach 4Cs Email: [email protected] Dirección: 396 Tesconi Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95401-4653 Web site: www.sonoma4cs.org Referencias de Cuidado de Niños en la Red de Internet: www.sonoma4cs.org, y oprima “Find Child Care” en el menú de la izquierda Board of Directors / Junta Directiva Dirección Electrónica: [email protected] Renee Whitlock-Hemsouvanh, President Página en la Red: www.sonoma4cs.org Bob Sayers, Vice President Rene Casilli Leslie Cotchett Katie Pierce, Treasurer Christina Curry Tracy Johnson David Wattell, Secretary Jo McCormick Tom Schwedhelm Gary Hochman, Past President