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Bold Steps for Children Newsletter
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Teen parents often have to work hard to make ends meet. One way we can help them is by providing them with diapers and wipes. I wanted to invite you to participate in the
AFLP/Cal-Learn Diaper Drive, collecting diapers sizes 1 - 6 and wipes for the young parents served by Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (Kids in Common's parent organization).
To donate online, please visit the Amazon Wishlist by
clicking here. To donate by check or to drop off supplies, please call (408) 808-1806, or (408) 808-1811.
Also, I wanted to share with you an interesting study on the power of relationships in keeping young people on track for graduation. You can read about the study by
clicking here.
Have a wonderful October and a fantastic
College Day on October 9! And don't forget to attend the College Day
Family and Community Conference on October 24 at SJSU!
Dana Bunnett, Director
Kids in Common
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Introducing our new mobile-friendly
newsletter template.
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Kids in Common wants every child safe, healthy, successful in learning,
and successful in life!
Kids in Common advocates for policies, partnerships, and investments that improve children's lives in Santa Clara County.
The cornerstone of our work is
the Children's Agenda, a county-wide initiative working to create measurable, positive changes for Santa Clara County children and families.
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FEATURES
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Project Cornerstone Asset Champions Awards: Call for Nominations
Project Cornerstone's 2016 Asset Champions Awards Breakfast, to be held on March 24, 2016, will honor the individuals and organizations whose ongoing commitment to building positive relationships with young people helps make Silicon Valley a better place for young people to live and grow. Asset champions are individuals or organizations that make extraordinary efforts to build developmental assets, create positive connections with young people, and inspire others to do the same.
Nominations are due
October 31, 2015. You can submit a nomination by
clicking here.
www.projectcornerstone.org
Report Shows Progress for CA Kids' Health but Low Child Well-Being
In July, the California organization, Children Now, partnered with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to release the annual
KIDS COUNT Data Book. This year's Data Book examines child well-being nationwide, and provides by-state rankings on how children are doing across a number of indicators essential to healthy development. The report provides much food for thought for California children's advocates, and suggests several areas in need of increased support.
Kids in our state gained the most ground in health coverage access and child and teen mortality, showing significantly better outcomes in all three measures. Those increases moved from 26th in the nation in kids' health in 2014, to the number 14 spot this year. This progress can be linked to the impact of state policy achievements, including the
Affordable Care Act's Medi-Cal expansion, the reinstatement of the Black Infant Health Program, and express enrollment in Medi-Cal via CalFresh, in the last two years.
Not all the news was positive. Despite being one of the wealthiest states in the nation, California ranks 49th out of 50 in children's economic well-being - only Mississippi ranked lower. In overall child well-being, California is also near the bottom of the list, ranking 38th nationally.
Children Now President Ted Lempert said he's pleased with the progress in kids' health, but the low score in economic well-being is troubling. "California has the world's eighth largest economy," he says. "We're in a better position than most states to invest in kids, but support hasn't kept up with pressures families have felt since the recession. We have more children living in poverty, and more parents lacking secure employment, than we did in 2008. More must be done so all families can share in the economic recovery."
The 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book
Scholarships for Dreamers
TheDream.US, the nation's largest scholarship program for Dreamers, has opened its Fall Scholarship Round. Scholarships are for highly motivated DREAMers with DACA/TPS status who, without financial aid, cannot afford a college education.
Scholarships of up to $25,000 are awarded to both first-time college students and community college graduates to attend one of our partner colleges. Applications are accepted September 14, 2015 through February 16, 2016.
www.TheDream.US/scholars
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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The Health Trust Open Air Health Fair
This event is FREE to the public and offers an array of health screenings and resources. From cardiovascular health and diabetes screenings to adult seasonal flu vaccinations, our Health Fair offers participants the opportunity to learn about their health and how to improve/maintain it.
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2015, and Sunday, October 11, 2015
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: The San Jose Flea Market, 1590 Berryessa Road, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Send email to Michelle Leporini at
[email protected],
call (408) 961-9862, or visit
http://healthtrust.org/oahf/.
Day on the Bay
 Supervisor Dave Cortese and the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department present the 6th annual Day on the Bay at Alviso Marina County Park. Mark your calendars for this Multicultural Festival celebrating our community's diversity and promoting health amongst Santa Clara County residents. The day will feature fun activities for all ages, free food, free pumpkins for kids, music, entertainment, free kayak rides, a resource fair, and much more!
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2015
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Alviso Marina County Park, 1195 Hope Street, Alviso, CA
For More Information: Call Vanessa Turner at (408) 299-5030; visit
www.sccgov.org/dayonthebay.
Pathways of Hope and Opportunity Out of Poverty Action Summit
With a renewed focus on alleviating, preventing, and reducing poverty, our Hope and Opportunity Summit celebrates Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County's 60 years of Changing Lives for Good. The research shows that it is possible to address poverty, but we need the public will, policy reform, and social innovation to make an impact. Our Summit will engage community leaders in a three-part conversation to create a shared action agenda that moves people out of poverty in Santa Clara County.
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Time: 7:00am - 4:00pm
Location: The Tech Museum of Innovation, 201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA
For More Information: You can get details and register by
clicking here.
Binational Health Week 2015: 11th Annual Health Conference
The topic of this year's conference is "Approaches to Advancing Latino Health Equity." The featured speaker is Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health, UCLA School of Medicine.
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015
Time: 8:30am - 3:00pm
Location: Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, CA
For More Information: Please call Michelle Wexler, M.A. at (408) 793-2703, or send email to
[email protected].
25th Annual Latino-Latina Role Model Conference
This inspiring educational event is designed to plant the seeds of college and careers into the brains of our young people. Free registration, free breakfast burritos, free lunch, and bottled water.
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015
Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm
Location: W. C. Overfelt High School, 1835 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Send email to Esau Ruiz Herrera at [email protected], or call
(408) 926-7163.
Family Spook Night
Roosevelt Community Center is having a Halloween Family Fun Night with family dinner packages, costume contest, arts and crafts, games, and door prizes. Cost for a family of 4 is $20.
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015
Time: 5:30pm to 8:30pm (5:30pm Check In; 6:00pm Costume Contest for both Children and Adults; 6:30pm Dinner; 7:00pm Arts and Crafts, and Games)
Location: Roosevelt Community Center, 901 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA
For More Information: To register, go to SJREGISTRATION.COM, and type 234.2.1317 in the Search box. You can also call Melissa at
(408) 794-7555.
40th Annual Festivál de la Vida and
Circle of Remembrance
Photo by Julian Nuñez
This event is fun, educational, and inspiring for all who attend, as well as powerful and healing for families who have experienced the loss of loved ones. Performances by Folklórico Nacional Mexicano with musicians, Los Panaderos. $10 in advance/$12 at door.
Date: Friday, October 23, 2015
Time: 7:00pm preshow, 7:30pm show
Location: Luther Burbank School, 4 Walbash Avenue, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Text (408) 636-6148 for tickets, or visit http://fnmjuvenil.weebly.com/.
Safe and Green Halloween
It is the 8th annual Safe and Green Halloween fair, which centers around these themes: reduce, reuse, recycle, sustainability, and conservation. The fair aims to teach children about safety around Halloween and sustainability.
Date: Friday, October 23, 2015
Time: 3:00 - 6:00pm
Location: McKinley Elementary School, 651 Macredes Avenue, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Send email to Andrea Gonzalez-Palafox at [email protected], call
(209) 872-5288, or visit www.cucsj.org. You can find out about volunteering for the event by clicking here. If your organization would like to have a table at the fair, you can register by clicking here.
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer
Information Open House
Mentor Tutor Connection, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, needs high school mentors and K- 8 tutors for students in Los Altos and Mountain View schools. Come hear about how you can support youth in our community. There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You're welcome to just come and learn more about what we do. Bring a friend!
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm (lunch included)
Location: MVLA District Office - Board Room,
1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA
For More Information: Send email to [email protected]. You can register online by clicking here.
Calling All Family Engagement Advocates!
The Heising-Simons Foundation Bi-County Early Learning Family Engagement Summit is an interactive day of learning about authentic, transformational family engagement for early learning and K-3 professionals, family representatives, and community agencies. Workshop topics will include lessons learned from communities implementing family engagement practices, Parent Cafés as a parent leadership skill building strategy, the use of technology in family engagement, and Local Control Accountability Plan family engagement strategies. Participation is free. Space is limited to 100 participants from Santa Clara County.
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2015
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Burlingame Crowne Plaza Hotel
For More Information: You can register by
clicking here and entering passcode summit117.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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NEW!
English as a Second Language Classes
These ESL classes are offered at no charge. If you are 18 years or older, you can join the classes to learn reading, spelling, and literacy. The classes are open entry, so you can start at anytime. They are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 - 11:30am and/or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 - 7:30pm. Location is 749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose.
For More Information: Call (408) 213-0961.
NEW!
Calling All Youth-Based Program Agencies
Pacific Housing, Inc. is looking for partnerships
with youth-based program agencies to provide services for residents of affordable housing in East San Jose.
For More Information: Visit
www.pacifichousing.org. Send email to
[email protected], or call
(916) 638-5200, x205.
NEW! Join The Children's Movement
Children Now is the leading nonpartisan, umbrella research, policy development, and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children's health, education, and child well-being in California and creating national policies that support child development. Children Now also leads The Children's Movement of California, a grassroots network of more than 1,300 business, education, parent, civil rights, and faith-based, community and multi-ethnic organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, working together to make children a priority in public policymaking.
For More Information: Visit
www.childrennow.org. Main office: 1404 Franklin Street, # 700 Oakland CA 94612; (510) 763-2444.
CalFresh Application Assistance:
Same Day Service
Community members now have faster access to CalFresh Benefits at 5 locations (listed below) around Santa Clara County! Eligibility workers are stationed at 5 Emergency Assistance Network Agencies (EANs) alongside Food Bank representatives to assist people with CalFresh. In 1-2 days, community members can be screened, apply for CalFresh and have their County interview. If approved, a client could pick up their EBT card on the same day at the Social Services Agency or the next business day at the EAN agency.
Locations:
(1) InnVision, Palo Alto - 33 Encina Avenue, Palo Alto, CA; Wednesdays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; drop-ins only.
(2) St. Joseph's Family Center - 7950 Church Street, Gilroy, CA; Mondays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; for an appointment, call (408) 842-6662.
(3) Sunnyvale Community Services - 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA; Mondays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; for an appointment, call (408) 738- 4321.
(4) Community Services Agency of Mt. View & Los Altos - 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View, CA; 1st and 4th Thursdays, 9:00am - 4:00pm; for an appointment, call (650) 968-0836.
(5) West Valley Community Services - 10104 Vista Drive, Cupertino, CA; 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 10:00am - 7:00pm; for more information, call
(408) 255-8065.
10 Steps to a Healthier You!
 A FREE, three-class series for parents and caregivers about implementing a positive, healthy lifestyle into home environments. Classes are for residents of Santa Clara County, and are held at various dates, times, and locations throughout Santa Clara County year-round.
For More Information: To sign up for the free three-class series or to host the free classes at your site, call Healthier Kids Foundation at
(855) 344-6347. You can get more details about the program by clicking here.
Eastside Elite Basketball League
If you want a basketball program for your child, this program offers both non-competitive and competitive programs. The Co-Ed Non-Competitive League is for 6 - 9 year olds with little or no basketball experience who would benefit from participation in a structured program with a focus on skills development, basketball fundamentals, and structured game time. The Eastside Elite Competitive Basketball League is for 10 - 16 year olds with emphasis placed on good sportsmanship and skills development.
For More Information: For program details and fees, call Eric or Rhonda at (408) 794-1060.
FOR EDUCATORS: Embrace the Core Website and Communications Toolkit
The Embrace the Core website and Communications Toolkit are designed to help educators cut through the noise and communicate to parents about California's Common Core State Standards in their classrooms. Teachers, principals, district leaders, after-school program administrators, and anyone else who regularly fields questions from parents can use the posters, sample letters to parents, talking points, and various other resources to drive those conversations.
For More Information: Visit the website at www.embracethecore.org. You can get to the toolkit by clicking here. If you have questions, send email to Neha Singh Gohil, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, at [email protected].
Good. To Go. Is in San Jose! 
Good. To Go. (G2G) is a community-based marketing campaign aimed at increasing San Jose residents' purchase of "fun, fast, and fresh" items such as fresh produce and kid-friendly 'grab n go' snacks at participating G2G outlets: Healthy Corner Stores, Fresh Cart mobile produce vendors, and PCFMA farmers' markets. To find G2G locations in San Jose, visit our online interactive map by
clicking here. To stay up to date on events, new products, and program updates, be sure to "Like" our G2G Facebook page.
For More Information: To learn how to spread the word about G2G within your network and become a G2G brand ambassador, please contact Misha Taherbhai at [email protected] or call
(408) 513-8716.
New Teacher Intern Credential Program: Education Preparation for Inclusive Classrooms
In Fall 2014, the Inclusion Collaborative started an education specialist credential program focusing on inclusion: Preliminary Early Childhood Special Education, Preliminary Moderate/Severe Special Education, and a Clear Education Specialist Induction Program. Classes are held in the evenings and occasionally on Saturdays. These are alternative pathways to acquiring a teaching credential, allowing students to earn their credentials while interning with a school district. Education Preparation for Inclusive Classrooms (EPIC) accepts new students every two years, so if you are interested in one of the three programs, plan to apply for Fall 2016.
For More Information: To learn about the program, see the FAQ page by clicking here. For additional professional development opportunities and resources, visit the Inclusion Collaborative website by clicking here.
FREE Kids' Vision and Dental Screenings
Healthier Kids Foundation FocusFirst and DentalFirst programs are conducting FREE (donor-funded) vision and dental screenings for children ages 6 months - 18 years old. Vision screenings are performed with a high-optic digital camera, and dental screenings are performed by a licensed dentist, Monday through Friday, at your school, church, daycare center, community center, after-school program, or community-based organization. For dental screenings, all children will receive a FREE toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Healthier Kids Foundation staff will help parents with any follow-up as needed.
For More Information: This program is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Schedule your screenings by calling Sunny Ochoa at
(408) 564-5114, Ext. 206, or send email to
[email protected].
Personal Safety Workshops
Kidpower's Public Workshops for ages 3 years to adults offer personal safety skills training that is relevant to the ages and life situations of the students. These dynamic, upbeat workshops teach skills such as boundary setting, advocacy, stranger safety, safety with words (spoken or online), help-seeking, and de-escalation. There are multiple workshops for different child age groups coming soon.
Classes fill-up quickly, so let Kidpower know right away if you're interested!
For More Information: You can see the public workshop schedule and register by
clicking here. For questions, call (800) 467-6997 Ext. 1#, or send email to
[email protected].
GED Preparation Classes
These classes target older youth, ages 17 - 24 years. An assessment of a student's basic skill level will determine placement. Classes include both lecture and computer-based learning. The GED program is open-entry/open-exit during the school year.
Date: Monday through Friday
Time: 8:30am - 11:40pm
Location: 749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Contact Mariah Artley at (408) 213-0961, Ext. 27, or Caroline Sailor at
Ext. 30.
FutureArtsNow!
This program hosts weekly Open Dance Sessions at the Edenvale Community Center for $3/session. Youth and young adults are invited to come and hone their Hip Hop dance skills during our weekly sessions inside the Edenvale Dance Studio/Gym.
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday
Location: Edenvale Community Center, 330 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA
Youth Facing Expulsion
If you know of youth facing expulsion, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth may be able to connect you with a free lawyer to represent your child in a school expulsion hearing.
For More Information: Call (408) 280-2416.
Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Dollars
Looking for resources to help advocate for Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) dollars to support early learning and development? Children Now can help!
For More Information: Check out Children Now's new campaign with resources by
clicking here. Sign up for The Children's Movement of California to receive more talking points, tips, and tools that will be released over the coming weeks and months by
clicking here.
CalFresh (Food Stamps) Outreach and Application Assistance
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties can do pre-screening, answer questions, and help clients complete applications for CalFresh benefits. Application assistance can be arranged for weekdays, weekends, and evenings at community locations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
For More Information: Call Second Harvest's Food Connection, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at (800) 984-3663, or visit
www.shfb.org/getfood
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Free Food for Low-Income Families
Free food resources are available to low-income families through Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Our region's Family Harvest, Produce Mobile, Pantries and Prepared Meal programs can accept more participants.
Food distributions and meal programs are available weekdays and on weekends at community locations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
For More Information: Call Second Harvest's Food Connection, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at (800) 984-3663, or visit
www.shfb.org/getfood
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For All of Our MFCCs and Other Professionals Under the Board of Behavioral Sciences
Kidpower is now certified as a Continuing Education Provider under the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences!
For More Information: Visit www.kidpower.org.
Kaiser Permanente Child Health Program
Did you know that Kaiser Permanente in California insures low-income children who are not eligible for Medi-Cal or Covered California through its Child Health Program? With all of the confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many mixed status and immigrant families do not know that the program is an option for their child. The Child Health Program is pleased to offer a quality option in California that gives children the healthcare they need for just $0, $10, or $20 per child, per month, for up to three children, depending on the family's income. Additional children are covered at no extra premium. There are also no co-pays (no charge) for services at Kaiser Permanente facilities.
For More Information: Send email to Maury Rosas at
[email protected]. You can also get additional details, including eligibility guidelines and how to apply, by
clicking here.
PARENT PROJECT
This 12-week program, which offers classes throughout Santa Clara County, is specifically designed for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents. Parents learn specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors.
For More Information: Visit
www.ParentProject.com; call (408) 808-3794; or send email to
[email protected].
Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club
This club offers children (and adults) important lessons about conserving energy and water, recycling trash, and finding new food sources. Supervisor Dave Cortese started the Kids Climate Club to introduce children in 3rd through 12th grades to simple tips they can use to help protect the environment.
For More Information: If you would like Supervisor Cortese to give a presentation to your school or youth group, call
(408) 299-3050,
or send email to
[email protected]
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NEWS, REPORTS, AND TRAINING
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NEW! PLAY 60, Play On Launched; $750k Community Grants Program Now Open
Today the 50 Fund and NFL Foundation launched our PLAY 60, Play On initiative funded in part by the NFL's $1M legacy grant. The program includes a $750k community grants program to create active and imaginative play spaces managed by KaBOOM!, half-day 'Football Extravaganzas' this fall for 1,000 youth, a youth worker training play program managed by Playworks, and a 30-day play challenge that will donate life-saving meals to severely malnourished kids managed by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. You can learn more about the program by
clicking here. Also visit the initiative's new website at
www.play60playon.org.
NEW!
Terrific Wins This Year for California's Foster Kids
Children Now worked with the Governor and State Legislature to pass legislation to provide support for, and protect the rights of, foster children and former foster youth. Highlights include legislation requiring that the educational rights of foster youth are made available through schools, that parenting foster youth aren't inappropriately labeled "at-risk parents," and that former foster youth can easily verify their status through the state in order to access services.To learn more, visit
www.childrennow.org.
NEW! Creating and Sustaining Effective Hospital Family Advisory Councils
Family Advisory Councils (FACs) in children's hospitals help ensure that families have a say in their children's care. A new report describes the California Patient and Family Centered Care Network, a statewide collaborative working to develop effective, impactful FACs. You can review the report by
clicking here.
Realizing the Promise of Telehealth for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Telehealth has proven to be an effective tool in making specialized care more accessible for children with special health care needs, but in California providers and families are not using this service to its full potential. A new report explores the barriers to use and proposes some solutions. You can view the report by
clicking here.
Respect 360 eTraining
If you were unable to attend The Respect Institute's recent in-person trainings in Silicon Valley, no worries! You can get trained online to implement the Respect 360 Toolkit and/or Journal Program at your own pace by
clicking here.
You can also send email to Jessica Baker at [email protected] with questions or to inquire about partial scholarships.
Social and Emotional Learning and School Climate Resources
There has been a lot of attention recently on the importance of developing healthy school climates and fostering social and emotional learning in schools. If you are interested in resources for strengthening relationships, increasing student engagement, improving school climate, integrating SEL into professional development, or bridging Restorative Practices and Trauma-Informed approaches within your schools or organizations, visit the Scoop.it! page by
clicking here.
In Their Own Words: Improving the Care Experience of Families with Children with Special Health Care Needs
Straight talk from 52 parents highlights the limitations of the current system of care for children with special health care needs and their families. A new report summarizes findings from 10 focus groups in which family members discussed what their lives are like, how well their families' needs are being met and how the health care system could be improved. You can review the report from Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health by
clicking here.
Keeping Your Children Safe
Young children are accidentally being exposed to marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs, with potential medical consequences. Prevention Partnership International's Advisory Committee, program developers of Celebrating Families!, recently put together a handout for parents, grandparents, and family members:
Keeping your Children Safe - Alcohol, Prescription & Illegal Drugs, Marijuana & Other Hazards. You can view this handout by
clicking here. Feel free to copy and share it.
2014 Data Now Available on California's Homeless Students
Nearly 300,000 public school students in California were homeless at some point during the 2013-2014 school year - 5% of all such students. "Doubling up" with others for nighttime residence was the most common living situation among homeless public school students, but many lived in shelters, motels, or unsheltered during the school year. You can explore data from Kidsdata.org about homeless students in your county and school district by
clicking here.
Promoting Children's Long-Term Health and Functioning: Applying a Life Course Approach to Pediatric Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Life Course Theory, which promotes a life-span approach to an individual's health, is taking hold in adult medicine, but adoption has been slow in pediatric practices. This paper proposes a framework to help pediatric practices become life-course settings for children with special healthcare needs. You can read the paper by
clicking here.
ONLINE TRAINING: Helping Parents to Feed Well so Children Can Eat Well
Parent educators can improve their knowledge of how child development influences child eating, learn how to help parents teach their child to be a healthy eater, and learn how to support parents in having enjoyable family mealtimes. You can view the four 30-minute videos created by Childhood Feeding Collaborative of Santa Clara County by
clicking here. For more Information, send email to Carol Danaher at
[email protected], or call (408) 793-2708.
New Standards and Tests Are Worth the Effort
This article discusses the new Smarter Balanced assessments, and the challenges and opportunities involved in these new tests for California students. The author, Gina D. Dalma, is the senior program officer at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and leads the Silicon Valley Common Core Initiative. You can read this article by
clicking here.
Synchronizing Youth Programs in California Shows Signs of Success
This article from the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange describes Santa Clara County's innovative approach to better support youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. You can read this article by
clicking here.
Dropping Out and Clocking In: A Portrait of Teens Who Leave School Early and Work
This article from the Urban Institute looks at teens who leave school early and are employed, and how they differ from other teens who leave school early. It discusses how working youth are contributing to their families' economic support system and how this potentially impacts government programs and policies. You can read this article by
clicking here.
DOCUMENTARY: Poverty in a Land of Riches
This powerful documentary from
CNN is about being poor in Silicon Valley. It is a "must watch" for anyone concerned about how low-income families make it in this county and its high cost of living. You can view the documentary by
clicking here.
Child Abuse Prevention Resources for Schools
Please share this important information with parents, teachers, and school administrators about Kidpower's abuse, bullying, abduction, and other violence prevention resources for schools. You can check out this resource by
clicking here.
Drugging Our Kids
This 5-part series by the
Mercury News explores the excessive use of psychiatric drugs in the foster care system. Parts 1-4 examine how psychotropic meds are being used to treat troublesome behaviors, rather than to heal kids from the trauma they've suffered. Part 5 is a 40-minute documentary that takes viewers inside these children's lives and provides expert commentary. Check out the dedicated website by
clicking here.
Facing Prejudice with Compassion and Determination
This article describes how to address prejudice and work with members of our communities to keep everyone safe. See the article from Kidpower's extensive free online library by
clicking here.
WEBINAR: Social and Emotional Learning
Supported by music and videos, take-home activities, and stories kids relate to, the developmentally appropriate Second Step lessons have helped teachers instill social-emotional skills in their students for over 20 years. Interested in putting the Second Step program to work for your students? Attend one of the sessions from Committee for Children to hear directly from their experts. You can see a list of live webinars and register by
clicking here.
New Study: Cómo Están los Niños? The Health of Latino Children and Families in California
A comprehensive new study of California's Latino children paints a complex picture of their health and well-being, and finds striking differences within a 4.7 million-strong population that comprises more than half of all the children in the state. You can review the study by
clicking here.
VIDEO: Sports Illustrated Introduces Us To America's Homeless Student-Athletes
More than 100,000 student-athletes in America are homeless, according to
Sports Illustrated. While athletes such as Kevin Durant and James Jones have made headlines for overcoming childhood poverty and struggles, the magazine introduces us to today's kids who are succeeding in athletics but have no place to call "home" at the end of the day. You can watch the video by
clicking here.
FIRST 5 Obesity Prevention Efforts
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) profiled FIRST 5 Santa Clara County's efforts to prevent early childhood obesity. Through a blog post and video, CSAC highlights how FIRST 5 programs are making healthy habits fun! You can read the blog by
clicking here; you can watch the YouTube video by
clicking here.
Early Literacy in California's Immigrant Families
Read this report about disparities in exposure to book-sharing programs among California's immigrant families. The Chair of the Children's Agenda Vision Council is a co-author of this report. You can read it on
Reuters by
clicking here.
School Discipline Consensus Report
Released by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, this report presents a comprehensive set of consensus-based and field-driven recommendations to improve conditions for learning for all students and educators, better support students with behavioral needs, improve police-school partnerships, and keep students out of the juvenile justice system for minor offenses. You can read the report by
clicking here
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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OYP Is Seeking Youth Leaders
The Opportunity Youth Partnership (OYP) is once again opening Youth Voice positions for youth ages 16 - 24 years who would be interested in representing their peers in this partnership. If you know of a youth who would be interested in the role, please have them complete an application. This is a wonderful leadership opportunity, and a stipend is provided for the youth members.
For More Information:
You can download the application (PDF format) by clicking here.
Volunteers for Writing Workshops
The Beat Within is looking for volunteer facilitators to support their weekly Thursday night workshops in juvenile hall. They are always looking for people of all walks of life. You do not need a background in juvenile justice or related issues; you do not need to be a great writer. All you need to have is an interest in the program and working with young people. Join the monthly orientation for new volunteers.
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley is recruiting volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to work one-on-one with foster children and be a mentor and their voice as they navigate the dependency system. We train and support our CASAs as they work to support foster children.
For More Information: To learn more and sign up for an introductory session, visit
www.bemyadvocate.org.
Volunteer to Become a Certified Car Seat Technician
In the Bay Area, 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly. ACCESS (a service of the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary) hosts free car seat fitting inspections. Join ACCESS in our efforts to ensure infants and children are safe in their vehicles. Training is provided at Good Samaritan Hospital, 2425 Samaritan Drive, San Jose, CA.
For More Information: Call Shannon Hickok at
(408) 559-2395, or send email to
[email protected]. You can also visit the ACCESS website by
clicking here.
Join the LPC Council of Santa Clara County
The Local Early Education Planning Council (LPC) of Santa Clara County is seeking individuals who are interested in applying for membership to the Council. Funded by the California Department of Education and housed at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the mission of the LPC is to assess, represent, and promote the early care and education needs of children and families in the community. Applicants must work or live in Santa Clara County, and exhibit a strong commitment to advocating for increased quality childcare services; an ability to make information-based decisions; and excellent leadership skills.
For More Information:
If you are interested in submitting an application, send email to Michael Garcia at
[email protected]
, or call
(408) 453-6649.
Volunteer with Junior Achievement
Inspire students at local elementary schools with Junior Achievement! Junior Achievement prepares youth for economic success through a short series of age-appropriate lessons about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. You can volunteer to work in schools and teach these lessons (the teacher will be in the classroom to provide support.) The dates, times, and locations are flexible, including any school or after-school program (i.e. public, private, charter, etc.) There is a one-hour mandatory training.
For More Information: Send email to Amanda Lopez, District Manager, Silicon Valley, at
[email protected]
, or call
(408) 217-7906.
Be a Mentor for Elementary School Children
Collaborative Community Program (CCP) is seeking mentors for children at Washington Elementary School in downtown San Jose. Mentors meet with children in Kindergarten through 5th grade on Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:00pm at the Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library.
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COLUMN: THE BEAT WITHIN
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The Beat Within is a San Francisco-based non-profit that has been committed since 1996 to providing incarcerated youth inside Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall with a weekly writing and conversation workshop every Thursday evening. Below is another piece written by an incarcerated youth that was featured in their award-winning publication,
The Beat Within.
Lost Boy
I am lost, don't know what path to cross.
A long, lost boy that once had it all.
Money and drugs, a beautiful girl.
Now I am locked up thinking it's the end of
the world.
The boy is lost, lost in his mind.
He doesn't know when it's his time.
The kid is gone, gone crazy in his head.
He is just wishing, wishing for this to end.
The boy's got no heart, no heart for love.
He is thinking, thinking to be free like a dove.
The kid is lost, lost in the system.
The long lost boy is waiting, waiting for
his sentence.
Soon after that he is sent straight to prison
Prison won't break him, it would just make
him stronger.
He would just be waiting longer and longer.
The lost boy would get older and older.
That boy soon won't be a boy, he would be a man.
A man that took time fighting for his land.
Now, that lost man would have power, power
behind bars.
That man was a kid, a kid that once did a charge.
A charge that threw him behind bars.
So when that man gets out, a new generation
would take charge.
Now, that's my life I have predicted so far.
I hope I get my second chance because
everyone deserves one.
I just want to live life with my beautiful lady
and family.
Maybe get married! And have a vacation!
-Chino
To find out more about The Beat Within, please see
The Beat Within Facebook page
, or visit
www.thebeatwithin.org
. To find out more about getting involved in their weekly workshops inside juvenile hall or to get a subscription to their magazine, send email to Lisa Lavaysse at
[email protected]
.
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