March, 2017 - In This Issue:
From the Desk of Our E̶x̶e̶c̶u̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶D̶i̶r̶e̶c̶t̶o̶r̶ Senior Management Team
This month's e-newsletter letter is brought to you by 4Cs' senior management team:

This Women's History Month, we celebrate all women who have blazed a trail for future generations. We recognize female politicians, leaders, advocates, business owners, writers, teachers, explorers, and inventors. This March, in particular, we want to identify and recognize one woman that has made a huge mark on 4Cs of Alameda County and Early Care and Education in the Bay Area. Renee Herzfeld, 4Cs Executive Director, is celebrating 30 years of service at our agency. Beginning her tenure at 4Cs of Alameda County as an intern in the Resource & Referral department in 1986, and now holding the position of Executive Director for more than a decade, Renee epitomizes the dedication it takes to grow a 45-year-old child care agency into a flourishing family resource center. As we celebrate Renee's 30th year at 4Cs, we sign off with a few words to describe her as shared by 4Cs' staff:

BOLD; Grounded and Leads with Humility; Inspiring, courageous & committed; VISIONARY; Thoughtful and Caring; supportive; motivational; POWERFUL

In Partnership,

Ida Hortinela, Erika McIntosh, Rosemary Obeid, & Paulene Prevett-McCarthy
Now Enrolling for Thrive! A Parenting Empowerment and Education Series for Parents
Register Today for Popular Oakland Parenting Classes 


 
4Cs of Alameda County is proud to present Thrive! An Empowerment and Education Series for Parents again this year. This popular series for parents will run on Wednesday evenings from April 5th through June 7th at our Oakland Office. Thanks to our friends at Wells Fargo, this program - including dinner and child care - is free to all participants. Register today to reserve your spot as space is limited. Call or email Nancy at 510-383-3582 or nancyb@4c-alameda.org to secure your spot today.
Touchpoints Approach™ Training
For Alameda County Early Care and Education Providers
ECE professionals are welcome to register today for upcoming Touchpoints Approach™ trainings on March 25th and April 1st.  Using the Touchpoints Approach™, child care providers identify opportunities to work together with families to bring about better health and school readiness outcomes for children. The Touchpoints Approach™ offers strategies for supporting family-child, family-provider, and provider-provider relationships. Providers move beyond helping children to strengthening families. See flier here .
 
To Register Contact: Alison Mora at (510) 584.3114 or alisonm@4c-alameda.org
FREE Playgroup for Family, Friends, and Neighbor Caregivers and the Children in Their Care
Play & Learn at 4Cs
As a grandma, grandpa, auntie, uncle, cousin, godparent, or friend caring for  children 0-5 years old, we invite you to join us for a playgroup just for you and the  little ones you care for. Register today for play groups on Friday mornings from  9:30am-11:30am in April, May, and June. The playgroups and all activities are free  of charge, including snacks and prizes for attendees at every play group. We  hope to see you there! Register by using the link below or contacting Susana at  susanam@4c-alameda.org or (510) 584-3115.

News from Child Health and Nutrition Department

"Asthma-Friendly" Child Care Environments: A special, free mini conference for child care providers and staff of early child care programs in Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore
Asthma is on the rise among children and adults in the Tri-Valley area.  Since many children
Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente
 spend a portion of their day in child care settings, it is vitally important that these environments are healthy and free of asthma triggers.
Topics covered include:
  • What is asthma?
  • Child care provider's role in asthma prevention and management
  • Identifying and removing common asthma triggers, both indoors and outdoors
  • Making the switch to "asthma-friendly" cleaning products
  • Setting effective policies
Free resources and kit will be distributed. See more information here.
Contact Stephanie Clarke to register: (510) 584-3122 or stephaniec@4c-alameda.org.
 

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with 4Cs
During the month of March, we invite you to celebrate National Nutrition Month and participate in the campaign "Mealtime is Talk Time".
Today, almost 60% of children in the U.S. start kindergarten unprepared, behind in critical language, math, and social-emotional skills. Parents and child care providers play a critical role engaging children in language-rich interactions about healthy food. Early brain and language development are so important. Talk, read and sing with young children from birth. Parents and child care providers can use the book "At the Farmer's Market" to expose children to a variety of fresh and nutritious foods as well as healthy recipes.
How to celebrate with us?
  • Pick up your free copy of the book at 4Cs Hayward office. Read the book with your family or conduct a mealtime lesson with the children in your child care program and take pictures.
  • Take a field trip to your local Farmer's Market and talk with your children about the different fruits and vegetables. Pick a new one to try.
  • Enjoy and distribute the "Mealtime is Talktime" handout to parents.
Share your photos, videos or experiences online through your website or Facebook page and be sure to use the hashtag #MealtimeisTalktime.

 
4Cs' 15th Annual FREE Children's Faire
May 20, 2017, 10am-1pm  
Save the date for the 15th Annual FREE Children's Faire at 4Cs. Interested in sponsoring the Faire? Contact Katie at katieh@4c-alameda.org or (510) 584-3130.


Register Now for Upcoming Trainings at 4Cs
Training Opportunities Available

3/25/17 & 4/1/17, 8:30am-5pm

4/4/17, 7pm-9pm

4/8/17, 9am-12pm

4/15/17, 9am-12pm

4/22/17, 9am-5pm

4/29/17, 9am-5pm

4/29/17, 10am-2pm
3/24/17, 7pm-9pm
 
3/25/17, 9am-5pm
 
Preparándose para la Reunión del IEP: Entendiendo el Plan de Educación Individualizado
3/27/17, 6:30pm-8:30pm


創意教學 : 數學與科學
3/18/17, 1pm-3pm




*Alameda County Early Care and Education Planning Council is hosting a symposium on "Early Childhood and ACEs: On the Path to Resilience" on Saturday, March 25th. All child care providers are welcome to attend. Attendees can register at https://2017aces.eventbrite.com -the flier for the event can be viewed here.
Job Opportunities at 4Cs
Click on job title for full description and application information.

Part-time Positions