December 2021
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A Message from the Executive Director
 
Our First 5 San Joaquin team extends a heartfelt thank you to all of you
for your support helping San Joaquin County's children thrive in supportive, nurturing, and loving environments. This holiday season, we reflect on the year with appreciation of the innovation and commitment of all our partners and friends. Together, we have made significant strides to enhance early learning, improve children’s health, and strengthen our families and community support throughout the pandemic.

In 2020-2021, First 5 San Joaquin invested over $11 million dollars and provided services to over 18,500 children, parents, and providers, to help young children have a safe and promising future. For additional highlights on the services provided by First 5 San Joaquin funded programs, as well as the characteristics of families served, we invite you to view the latest report here.

Cheers to a new year and another opportunity to bring smiles to faces and to change lives!

All the best,
 
Marisela Pineda
Executive Director
Testing Sites in San Joaquin County
 
During this winter season, some San Joaquin County
COVID-19 testing sites may have modified hours of operation. For more information, click here.

 Success Story!
Family Resource & Referral Center
2-1-1 Call Center
 
A single mother of two called 2-1-1 looking for answers on getting connected with resources that would help her pay a utility bill. Due to the pandemic, her employment hours were decreased, and she was struggling to pay her bills. A 2-1-1
Call Center Specialist was able to provide the parent with resources that included: electric service payment assistance, a list of local food pantries, and information on WIC and CalWORKs programs for additional financial assistance.
 
The parent also shared concerns of her three-year-old son’s developmental progress and was interested in him receiving a developmental screening. She was assisted by the 2-1-1 Call Center Specialist who connected her to the Help Me Grow program for developmental screening assistance, and to a local home visiting program for additional supportive services. The mother shared that she truly appreciates
2-1-1 for the services that were provided to her and that she will continue to call 2-1-1 if she needs additional assistance.
The High 5 Award Goes to... El Concilio
Raising Quality! IMPACT 2020 Expanded Family, Friend, and Neighbor Initiative

El Concilio was awarded the High 5 Award for its commitment to maintaining and providing high-quality programs. Beginning October 1, 2021, El Concilio expanded the Raising Quality! IMPACT 2020 Expanded Family, Friend, and Neighbor Initiative with new staff and an increased caseload. During the month of October, staff engaged the community of grandparents and had full enrollment by the end of the month.
The 5th Annual San Joaquin County
Early Childcare Education (ECE) Conference 
Save the Date for the upcoming San Joaquin County ECE Conference
Celebrating and Empowering ECE Professionals - Our Unsung Heroes
Dates: January 28-29, 2022
For more information, download flyer.
Bridges Out of Poverty
Virtual Training

Presenter Nicole Baptiste will be hosting a virtual workshop on Thursday January 13, 2022 on understanding the factors that cause and maintain poverty. Participants will review poverty research, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of the hidden rules of class, resources, family structure, and language. Download flyer here.
The San Joaquin Continuum of Care Program Seeks Volunteers to
Participate in 2022 Point-in-Time Count
 
The San Joaquin Continuum of Care (SJ CoC) Program is seeking at least 500 volunteers to help conduct the 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a bi-annual effort to account for the total number of unsheltered individuals that call San Joaquin County home. Volunteers can sign-up and learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/PITcount2022. Registrations will close on January 14, 2022.