June 2019
What's the Buzz?
FROM OUR CEO, KELLY O'LAGUE DULKA
"Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream." - Debby Boone

Big changes are coming to Child Care Links. On July 1st, Child Care Links will merge with Family Service Counseling and Community Resource Center and will be expanding our mental health services. This merger will allow us to bring mental health services to our Oakland and Tri-Valley locations. What does this mean? We will be able to provide individual, group and family therapy for people of all ages! With the merger, we will be adding about 20 clinicians to our staff. We are very excited to add them to our agency family!

We are also changing our name! It became clear to me at the first event I attended after assuming the CEO role that our agency name was confusing, even limiting. At a community volunteer fair, people would walk by and say, "I don't need child care." We don't provide child care. We help families find high quality child care, we train child care providers, but those are just a small part of the agency's work.

Child Care Links has been around for over 40 years. The agency's work and mission have expanded as community needs have. We are excited to bring a fresh, new look and feel to our agency branding, but more importantly, we are excited about the work we do to provide resources to help our kids. our families and our communities thrive!

We are very grateful for all of our families, volunteers, donors, supporters who share in making our communities and our world a better place. And we are very excited about the future of....(stayed tuned to find out our new name)!
WHAT'S GOING ON AT CHILD CARE LINKS?
Study after study has shown that when fathers are engaged with their children, when they are affectionate and supportive, it greatly affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instills an overall sense of well-being and self confidence.  

Fathers not only influence who we are inside, but how we have relationships with people as we grow. The way a father treats his child will influence what he or she looks for in other people. The patterns a father sets in the relationships with his children will dictate how his children relate with other people.

Recognizing the importance of fathers, Child Care Links has secured grant funding to expand our offerings for dads and their kids. Strengthening families is our mission. Strengthening the bonds between dads and their kids is critical to our efforts. 
 
Speaking of fathers, in two weeks we will celebrate Father's Day. We will remember and celebrate the incredible influence of our dads in our own lives. As a way of honoring your father, consider making a donation to Child Care Links.   
Wednesday Night Shopping!
June 12th and 26th
5.00pm - 7.00pm, 

Child Care Links will continue to open our doors to allow families to shop for FREE!  Families in need of infant or adult clothing, shoes, household items, or children's books can shop during our evening hours!

Looking to donate? Child Care Links loves providing this service to our families, but we need your help to keep it stocked up with all the essential items, including interview attire, warm clothes, shoes, books, diapers, and so much more! Drop off your items at our office anytime Monday - Friday!
P l a y g r o u p
YOGA SERIES!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO ENROLL!

Child Care Links Playgroups is featuring a Yoga Series for parents and children to strengthen their muscles and coordination while building an everlasting bond with their caregiver.

Every Monday, June 3rd - June 24th

FIREFLIES : Yoga with Baby (0-18 months) 9AM - 9:45AM
BUMBLE BEES : Yoga with Kids (18 months - 5 years) 10AM - 10:45AM

Each parent and child will receive a free yoga mat!

|SPACE IS LIMITED! CALL 925-417-8733 TO REGISTER|
Community Leaders at
Child Care Links
Child Care Links is dedicated to providing opportunities for our staff to develop their leadership skills and partnerships with local community agencies. This year we are proud to announce that three staff and one Board Member graduated from Leadership Pleasanton and Leadership Livermore. Each year long program is focused on developing community leaders, and allowing participants to get a behind the scenes look at our community.

Congratulations...
Nina Hourel, Director of Business Services,
Jenel Veligenti, Training and Outreach Coordinator,
Yvonne Stillitano, Family Support Specialist, and
Ryan Duncan Anderson, Child Care Links Board Member!

"Alone, we can do so little;
Together, we can do so much.
-Helen Keller
Child Care Links was the recipient of so many generous donations this month, and we just have to share it with you! Check out the below pictures of all the amazing community members, businesses, and local schools that came through for our families!
Safeway Foundation donated breakfast bags to our families to ensure everyone starts their day with a healthy breakfast.
Pleasanton Boys Team Charity hosted a Diaper Drive and donated over 4,000 diapers, and 6,500 baby wipes!
Completing their Senior Project, Dougherty Valley High School Seniors collected and donated 2 boxes of books!
Fallon Middle School hosted a Diaper Drive and donated over 1,000 diapers and 900 baby wipes !
For Our Families
Let your BIG Feelings OUT!

Sesame Street is helping children cope with traumatic experiences. Feeling seen and heard can help lessen the effects of trauma on a child and Sesame Street is here to help! Recently released resources are available to families to help reduce the harmful effects on children.
Young, sensitive skin is extremely vulnerable to damaging rays. Protect your child from the effects of the sun by following these simple rules:
  • Seek Shade
  • Cover Up
  • Wear a Hat and Sunglasses
  • Apply Sunscreen and REAPPLY!

Click below for more information on sun safety!
For Our Child Care Providers
Picnic at the Park!
Thursday, June 27th
561 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
11.00AM - 2.00PM

Do you care for your grandchild, niece/nephew, or for a friend's child? This is sometimes referred to as being a babysitter, a nanny, or license exempt child care provider. Child Care Links invites all those providing child care for a family member, friend, or neighbor and the children you care for to a a picnic in the park!

Each participant will receive information on car seat safety, and a FREE car seat. Lunch provided.

Children must be between the ages of 0-5 years old, and participants must be receiving subsidized child care payments through Child Care Links.
 Not sure if you are eligible for this FREE event? Click below to find out!
How to Implement Trauma Informed Care to Build Resilience to Childhood Trauma

If you have been attending our Trauma Informed Care Series here at Child Care Links, you know that children exposed to traumatic events like abuse, neglect, divorce, death, or family violence, have an impact on a child's lifelong health.
Click above to learn more about the effects trauma has on children including, brain development, emotions, and behavior.
Special Education System for Young Children 0-5

June 8th | 9AM - 12PM
First 5 Alameda County
1115 Atlantic Ave, Alameda

Early Care and Education Professionals are invited to join Family Resource Navigators to learn the basics of early intervention and preschool services under the IDEA, and skills in helping navigate families of young children with developmental delays to appropriate special education services.
Most Common
Deficiencies Cited by Community Care Licensing
Upcoming Events & Trainings
P L A Y G R O U P: YOGA SERIES!
It's not too late to enroll!
Mondays (4 week session)
June 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
Fireflies (0-18 months)
9.00AM - 9.45PM
Bumble Bees (18 months - 3 years)
10.00AM - 10.45AM

Call 925-417-8733 to register!
June 8th
Partnering with Parents
9.00AM - 2.30PM
|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
June 12th
How to Manage
Challenging Behavior and Developmental Delays
11.30AM - 1.00PM
June 13th
The "Out of Sync" Child
6.30PM - 8.30PM

|PARENT WORKSHOP|
June 18th
From Opposition to Cooperation
5.30PM - 7.30PM

June 19th
Compassion Fatigue & Trauma Informed Care
6.30PM - 8.30PM
June 20th
Fighting Dirty:
Germs go down the Drain
6.30PM - 8.30PM
June 24th
Earthquakes, Fires, and
Floods, OH MY!
6.30PM - 8.30PM
June 26th
Potty Training:
Setting Goals for Long-term Success
6.30PM - 8.30PM
|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
June 29th
FREE Preventative Health ($60 value)
9AM - 5.30PM

Call 925-249-3923 to register!
OUR DIAPER DONORS
A Special Thank You to Our "Diaper Darlings" and all others who have contributed to our pantries whether it is time, energy or money.
We couldn't do it without YOU!

Satabhish Aeka ~ Afsheen Afzal ~ Shruti Agarwal ~ Diane Anderson ~ Anne Andrade ~ Salvation Army ~ Julie Ashmore ~ Jane Kraemer Baker ~ Chaitali Bandyopadhyay ~ Mary Baptist ~ Deborah Barker~ Jack Bergman ~ Denise Berkowitz ~ Kathy Bernandez ~ Blazing Fire Church ~ Boys Team Charity Pleasanton League ~ Lenisha Brewer ~ Danielle Breeden ~ Tracy Brown ~ Nicola Brown ~ Jill Buck ~ Sharon Caldeira ~ Julie Camberg ~ Judith Caminiti ~ Amy Carr ~ Eric & Paulette Carr ~ Carrie Chambers ~ Joe Chapman~ Kristen Charlson ~ Sue Cheney ~ Ann Clark ~ Noelita Conlogue ~ Crosswinds Church ~ Kate D'Or ~ Bibek Das ~ Ian Davidson ~ Mike Dean ~ Chuck Deckert ~ Delia & Charlie DeLaRosa ~ Nicole Denney ~ Camille Denzel ~ Alyssa de Quina ~ Shelley Despotakis ~ Dublin Unified School District ~ Annie Dulka ~ Kathy Dulka ~ Kelly O'Lague Dulka ~ Kristen Duncan Anderson ~ Ryan Duncan Anderson ~ Captain Craig Eicher ~ Amanda and Victor Ferrer ~ Marilyn Foletta ~ Free to Be Me Child Care ~ Kendra Frerich ~ Helen Fulgado ~ Lisa Garcia ~ Lori and Paul Garcia ~ Marty Garcia-Cotter ~ Kristen Geller ~ Gingerbread Preschool ~ Erin Green ~ Kristie Gross ~ Charlotte Guinn ~ Noelle Hannula ~ Jim Hanscom ~ Ann Harper ~ Hindu Community and Cultural Center ~ Jamie Hintzke ~ Angela & Garrett Holmes ~ Becky Hopkins ~ Jennifer Hosterman ~ Bonita F. Hourel ~ Amanda Houston ~ Tami Ingram ~ Karen Kallestad-Miller ~ Nikki Kotz ~ Sara Kwan ~ Merrilee Kupras ~ Lakeshore Learning ~ Kimberly LaRosa ~ LaDonna and Gary Leach ~ Joanna Livingston ~ Sisi Mac ~ Sarah Mann ~ Ken Mano ~ Marilyn Mattoon ~ Debbie Marshall ~ Kurt McAninch ~Ruth McAninch ~ Michelle McDonald ~ Stephanie McGough ~ Joelle McGlothlin ~ Kimberly McLellan ~ Tiana Megofna ~ Amy Miller ~ Mary Millet ~ Mollie Molin ~ Wendy Montgomery ~ Nancy Mullins ~ Alice Nakanishi ~ Dorian Nasby ~ Debbie Nemecek ~ Diane Nico ~ North Pleasanton Rotary Club ~ Renee Palm ~ Dezarae Patterson ~ Pleasanton Boys Team Charity ~ Colin and Anneke Proudfoot ~ Woody Queen ~ Kathleen Redmond ~ Angela Register ~ Heather Rizzoli ~ Rotary Club of Pleasanton ~ Bonnie Russell ~ The Safeway Foundation ~ Saint Raymond Catholic Church WINGS Group ~ Gwen Salzborn ~ Lucinda Scanlan ~ Susan Schall ~ Share the Spirit East Bay News Group ~ Laurie Shields ~ Toni Sims ~ Harshmeet Singh ~ Dina Sklovskaya ~ Janel Sloan ~ Linda Smith ~ Jennifer Solari ~ Solid Rock Church of God in Christ ~ St. Clare's Episcopal Church ~ Dick Stafford ~ Marie and Padraig Stapleton ~ Marissa Stein ~ Diane Tamisica ~ Bob Tedrick ~ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ~ Stefanie Tomlinson ~ Diane Totaro ~ Valley Family Child Care Association ~ Austin Verive ~ Arany Uthayakumar ~ Nafiya Weston ~ Dawn Wilson ~ Marjorie Wong-Gilmore ~ Carly Yamaichi ~ Lea Yancey ~ Kathy Young

If you would like to donate diapers, click below!