A Note From Our Executive Director |
Dear friend of 4Cs,
Happy VITA tax season! Happy Lunar New Year - Year of the Tiger (祝大家新春快樂 - 虎年平安)！Happy Valentine’s Day! And Happy Black History Month! While a short month, February at 4Cs of Alameda County is packed full of events, trainings, celebrations, distributions, and services for our community. Our month kicked off with the first full month of our VITA free tax preparation and filing services underway. Every year our incredible VITA team and volunteers serve about 250 families with FREE tax services and we welcome you to visit our VITA site at 4calameda.org/parents-families/free-tax-preparation-filing to see if our team can help you with your tax needs. Next up, Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off with a very special 4Cs Reads with 4Cs Inclusion Navigator Carol Jin sharing a classic children’s favorite book complete with Chinese translation. Valentine’s Day on Monday gave us another opportunity to express our love and gratitude for our amazing 4Cs staff – be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join us in sharing gratitude and love for our wonderful, hard-working team. Last, but definitely not least, is our celebration of Black History Month all month long. While we recognize, remember, and acknowledge black history and black leaders and changemakers year-round, this month reminds us to create intentional spaces of introspection and evaluation in how we can better serve and uplift black families in our communities.
Whether you are celebrating all month long or just carving out some time for family or self-care, know that we are never too busy to provide you and your families with child care support and other essential needs.
Be Well,
Renee S. Herzfeld
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Books and Pajamas Giveaways During
Monthly Food Distribution
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4Cs is excited to partner with the Alameda County Community Food Bank in distributing food to families monthly through both our Oakland and Hayward offices. Our RISE Team provides additional resources alongside non-perishable and fresh food, such as formula, hand soap, toilet paper, and gently-used clothing. Over these past three months, we’ve also been able to give away children’s books focused on nutrition and family-friendly recipes. Research has shown that children who are involved in preparing family meals are more open to trying new foods and making nutritious choices.
Thanks to the generosity of the Oakland Literacy Council and dd’s DISCOUNTS’ Youth Literacy Fundraiser, we’ve been able to put 150 excellent food-related books into the hands of young children and their families.
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At February's food distribution, families got the opportunity to shop for gently-used children’s pajamas to stay cozy during the cold weather. Our RISE team gave out 40-45 sets of warm pajamas donated by generous friends of 4Cs. If you need clothing for infants, children, or teens, or if you have clothing to donate, please contact our RISE Team at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to keep these resources flowing and freecycling.
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If you are interested in registering for one of our monthly food giveaways, please sign up on our website.
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Minor Renovation and Repairs Grants Available to Providers |
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will administer $100 million in grants for minor renovations and repairs of family child care homes and child care centers. These grants are for providers serving low-income families through various programs. The intent and criteria for scoring are described in the Overview and Instructions and translated into Spanish.
Applications are available in English and Spanish. Apply by March 25! Funds are limited, and CDSS is only accepting complete applications.
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4Cs Virtual VITA Tax Service
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We are now offering virtual tax preparation and free tax filing! Due to safety measures surrounding COVID-19, the majority of tax preparation will be done online with our volunteers. If you earned income and are ready to file with all of your tax documents, we can help you maximize your tax benefits! Get started by accessing the Get Your Refund portal.
If you are unable to use the Get Your Refund portal, please call to make an appointment to schedule a time to drop off your tax documents. No tax documents can be received in person without an appointment. To make an appointment call Alicia Broussard at (510) 925-4018.
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Nearly every family is eligible to receive the expanded Child Tax Credit, including families that haven’t filed a tax return previously and families that don’t have recent income. But you need to fill out a tax return this year to ensure you get your money. Each qualifying household is eligible to receive up to $3,600 for each child under 6 years old, and $3,000 for each child between 6 and 17 years old. The credit is not a loan. Families who already received monthly advance payments in 2021 will get the second half of the money in 2022 when they file a tax return. Families who didn’t receive monthly payments last year will get the full amount when they file a tax return.
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Featured Events & Trainings |
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Parenting Teens Series
with Coach Diedre
March 1 - April 5
Tuesday Evenings | 7pm-8:30pm
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You are invited to a FREE online parenting series on how to navigate parenting teenagers through their formative adolescent years. This is a 6-part series in which you will get tips, tools, and activities to strengthen your relationship with your teen as well as your skills in addressing tough topics that arise. FREE one on one coaching from Coach Diedre for all participants. Spanish translation provided and gift card drawings at every session! Visit our website to register.
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¡PROSPERE! (Virtual)
Serie Para Padres de adolescentes con la Coach Diedre
1 de marzo al 5 de abril
Martes por la noche | 7pm-8:30pm
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Está invitado a una serie GRATUITA para padres, en línea, sobre cómo navegar ser padres de adolescentes durante sus años formativos de adolescencia. Esta es una serie de 6 partes en la que obtendrá consejos, herramientas y actividades para fortalecer su relación con su adolescente, así como sus habilidades para tratar los temas difíciles que surjan. Se ofrecerá una sesión individualizada con coach Diedre GRATIS para todos los participantes. ¡Traducción al español proporcionada y sorteos de tarjetas de regalo en cada sesión! Visite nuestro sitio web para registrarse.
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February 2-25
Wednesdays & Fridays | 11am-11:30am
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Join us for a morning of fun, activity, storytime, and movement for children ages 3-5 years and their caregivers* (Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Family, Friend, or Neighbor). Participants will receive materials, incentives and might be eligible to receive a stipend. Join us for one or all of the sessions in this 4-week series by signing up via the event page. If you have questions, contact [email protected] or (510) 736-2797.
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Upcoming
Events & Trainings
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Saturday, February 26 | 9am-2:30pm
這個免費培訓由FCCB贊助，4Cs和WestEd 共同合作推出。本培訓將概述兒童在學習第二語言時所經歷的發展階段。將為英語是第二語言的學習者介紹語言習得研究與相關的指導原則。必須有ECE Registry ID(加州幼教人力處登記號碼)才能報名。
Wednesday, March 2 | 7pm-9pm
Learn how to design a learning and safe environment for the children under your care. We will talk about the design inside and outside your home, activities, and materials, organization, and the importance of activities rotation.
Sábado, 5 de marzo | 8:30am-12:30pm
Este entrenamiento introducirá a los participantes al sistema class™ instrumento de observaciones que se centra en la eficacia de las interacciones entre maestros y niños en las aulas.
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Child Care Services Specialist,
Provider Services
Full-time
Hayward Office
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Child Care Services Specialist,
Family Services
Full-time
Hayward Office
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Child Care Services Specialist,
Family Services
Full-time
Oakland Office
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Give to 4Cs of Alameda County |
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Thank you for helping us uplift families, providers, and our community! |
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