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First 5 Monterey County
CHANGING SYSTEMS, CHANGING LIVES - THE WORK OF FIRST 5 MONTEREY COUNTY

AMPLIFYING OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE: CENTRAL COAST EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVOCACY NETWORK

In 2018, early childhood advocates from Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties created the Central Coast Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy Network. The group formed to build a common vision for early childhood policy and maximize a variety of organizational strengths. Since its formation, the group continues to grow and expand its reach while ensuring that all events are fully bilingual English and Spanish. Some notable accomplishments this year include:

  • Hosting a Storytelling Workshop with close to 50 participants, including 17 parent leaders to learn how to effectively communicate and advocate with lived experiences leading the way to facilitate change
  • Hosting a Parent Power Summit with close to 60 parent leaders from Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties
  • Conducting a virtual COVID Advocacy Briefing around emergency legislation that affects children and families
  • Hosting 5 legislative visits with all the local state representatives and Congressman Jimmy Panetta to discuss issues working families are facing during COVID-19, specifically around child care
  • Sending advocacy letters to state legislators advocating for school funding, paid leave, rent moratorium, and financial support for immigrant families

During a video call on July 8, Congressman Panetta was truly engaged (he even stayed on an extra 20 minutes!) and offered to meet again so that he can take the stories he heard from local parent leaders to Congress and continue to fight for the funding and policies children and families need right now.

For a quick slideshow with pictures highlighting the work of the Central Coast Early Childhood Advocacy Network, click here.

To learn about future events and register as part of the Network either as an individual or an organization, fill out the ECAN Network Registration Form.

Last month, First 5 Monterey County sent out letters thanking Governor Newsom and the legislature for passing a signed budget that supports young children and their families. Some examples from the 20-21 final budget:

- Maintains reimbursement rates for subsidized child care providers, and holds harmless subsidized programs serving families both in person and through distance learning; READ MORE

Across the county, First 5 is reminding community members about the importance of counting ALL young children, especially those ages 0-5. Because an accurate census count helps determine where federal funds are distributed for programs that are important for children, we are shaping the future of children for the next ten years and beyond. It is important to secure the resources children need as they grow up and it can all start with filling out the Census. READ MORE

Are you a parent in California with children under 12? Take the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network's survey about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted families' child care arrangements and preferences! The survey takes less than 10 minutes, and you could win a $50 Target gift card. READ MORE

First 5 Monterey County has started an Origami Video Series in English and Spanish for adults to make with children. The first video is "Let's Make an Origami Puppy!" You simply need a square piece of paper-no scissors, glue or tape.

This activity is great for exercising children's fine motor skills and following simple directions. We hope you have fun with imagination and language as you create stories about your puppy. READ MORE
FIRST 5 MONTEREY COUNTY
1125 Baldwin Street
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 444-8637 (fax)
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