A Bit Better
News From First 5 Santa Cruz County
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Children’s Network of Santa Cruz County is collaborating with other private and public non-profit agencies to increase awareness of the importance of families and communities working together to ensure that all children grow and thrive. 

Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign to draw positive attention to the topic of keeping children safe. Pinwheels represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness and our vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities. 

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we invite teachers, providers and parents to pick up an activity kit for making their own pinwheel(s). The kit includes simple instructions and all necessary materials for children to use their creativity to make a pinwheel(s) and display in the front yard or at home to share with family members. Please email ifreiberg@first5scc.org to make arrangements to pick up a kit.

To learn more about child abuse prevention strategies you can read A Framework for Prevention of Child Maltreatment from the California Department of Social Services Office of Child Abuse Prevention.
 
Envision our community where the focus is on positive ways for families to build upon their strengths to promote a feeling of
 well-being for their children!
Please join us for a special Día de los Libros story time event on Facebook live on Friday, April 30, at 10 a.m. PT!
Click here to join the event: http://bit.ly/Dia-Storytime

This online event will feature a live story time, activities for kids, and special guests, including First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris, and
celebrity guests Hudson Yang (ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat) and his father, journalist Jeff Yang. This special story time event is in celebration of Día de los Libros, a nationally recognized initiative that
emphasizes the importance of literacy for children from all backgrounds. Please help spread the word using this flyer!
Help Working Families Put Money
Back in their Pockets
We need your help to let working families know about the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and Young Child Tax Credit. These credits put thousands of dollars in the pockets of families, helping them move out of poverty and up the economic ladder.

Who qualifies for the CalEITC?
  • Any worker with an income of $30,000 or less.
  • Any worker who files taxes with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Self-employed (form 1099) and cash earners.
  • Workers with children under age six who qualify for the CalEITC may also file for the Young Child Tax Credit—and receive up to an additional $1,000.

The CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credits exist in addition to the federal EITC. The average combined tax refund is $3,000, but some families could receive up to $8,053.
Workers can file online for free, or schedule an appointment for help with filing, at http://www.myfreetaxes.org/

The new tax deadline is May 17, 2021. This is the first year ITIN filers can access the credit, so we are especially trying to spread the word to immigrant families. For more materials to help get the word out, please visit www.first5association.org/CalEITC

Thank you for your help!
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Community Announcements
Go directly to sccoe.link/COEvax for more information or click here for to download the flyer about these vaccine clinics in Watsonville
and please help spread the word!
Local Pediatric Dental Appointments Available
There are openings at local clinics for pediatric dental appointments for children 0 to 3. Please check out this flyer for more information about the importance of bringing young children in to have regular dental checkups.
Local Assistance Available to Help with Health Insurance and CalFresh Applications
Having access to health insurance and food for our families is of vital importance. If you, a family member, friend or neighbor need help completing or renewing an application to county or state health insurance programs, Certified Application Assistors can answer your questions and offer free application assistance. Call an Application Assistor directly at any of the agencies listed on this flyer for more information.
Community Resources
Parenting and Caregiver Resources







  • From the National Institute of Mental Health - Flyers on Stress and Anxiety in English and Spanish
If you are in need of child care,
please call the Child Development Resource Center
COVID-19 Related Community Resources

  • Abriendo Puertas Shares Multi-Lingual COVID-19 Resources for Families: Website

  • Mental Health Tips & Local Resources for COVID-19 – ENGLISH & SPANISH  

This newsletter is a collaborative effort of First 5 Santa Cruz County staff.

PO Box 1457 Capitola, CA 95010

Tel: 831-465-2217 Fax: 831-479-5477