A Note From Our Executive Director
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Dear friend of 4Cs,
With February halfway over and Black History Month in full swing, I encourage you to learn – and share – about the stories and triumphs of Black people in our country. This Black History Month I took some time to dive deeper into my knowledge of the essential roles that Black women have had on child care in America for hundreds of years. From the beginnings of slavery of Black men and women to the Black Women’s Clubs at the turn of the 19th century and the reality that the child care field remains racially inequitable – even within ECE spaces – today, the history of child care is rooted in racism. The more I learned and was reminded about all that has changed in the ECE world – and all that remains eerily familiar to our past – the more I find myself embracing my family’s history and roots and wanting to share from the rooftops about all of the work that needs to be done to right so many wrongs. Many folks deep in the work of Early Care and Education know that the work of caring, nurturing, and teaching our youngest kids has rested on the shoulders of underpaid (or not paid at all), overworked, and underappreciated Black and Brown women for generations. I am personally and professionally grateful for their investment in my life and the lives of so many others. I am also committed to not allowing the perceived protection of objectivity keep me from presenting truth. This Black History Month I will be refocusing my leadership lens on racial equity as we climb out of a pandemic. What does that look like for the work of 4Cs? What does that look like for Alameda County’s ECE work? And what might that look like for you in your work or with your children? I welcome you to join me on this journey of learning and sharing about Black history this month and every month.
Be well,
Renee S. Herzfeld
Chief Executive Officer
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Mira Djuric
Payment Programs Manager
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“For me, everything revolves around children. When I know that I have a part in that child being nurtured in a safe child care environment, being cared for with the love and respect, my heart grows big. I am full of happiness when families bring pictures of their children that I have known as babies, now grown to be in the elementary or middle school.”
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In 2001, just after immigrating to the U.S. from Croatia, Mira applied for – and was hired – as a Child Care Services Specialist in 4Cs of Alameda County’s Provider Payment Department. Twenty-two years and three promotions later, Mira now oversees the work in 4Cs Oakland Office as the Child Care Payment Programs Manager. She is a determined, essential, and experienced member of the team with the passion to uplift and serve families and children. Mira is very supportive and appreciative of her diverse and dedicated staff. She is grateful that everyone on her team steps up to help each other and families in need, especially throughout the pandemic. With Mira’s well-deserved retirement imminent, we want to take a moment to thank her for leadership and dedication to 4Cs of Alameda County.
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Save the Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
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We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our Annual Children’s Fair on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 22351 City Center Drive in Hayward from 10am to 1pm. The Children’s Fair is a FREE event for the community; there will be children’s activities, entertainment, and important social services information for parents and caregivers specific to Alameda County. This year we will be celebrating 50 years of service to our Alameda County community. For further details, visit 4calameda.org/childrensfair.
Help us spread the word by downloading and sharing our Save the Date flyer available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
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We are looking for sponsors to support our Children's Fair! We welcome 1,500 attendees annually and need your support to make the event a success. If you, your business, or your place of employment is interested in sponsoring, click here for the levels of sponsorship and visit give.classy.org/2023ChildrensFairSponsor to make your sponsorship payment as a tax deductible donation (4Cs’ Tax ID is 23-7218859) by Wednesday, March 15th.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our Development & Communications Director, Katie Honegger, by phone at (510) 736-0073 or by email at [email protected].
Thank you in advance for your generous support of our community’s children and families!
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Community Partner Participiation
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We are welcoming 24 local nonprofit or social services organizations to table at our Children’s Fair. Due to space-constraints, no for-profit businesses can be accommodated at this time. If your organization is interested in hosting a table at our event and have not yet been in contact with our staff about participating, please email us at [email protected] by Friday, February 24th.
Thank you for making the Children’s Fair a special one where all are welcome!
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Alameda County ECE Professional Development Training
Topic Survey Results
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In June 2022, the Alameda County Professional Development Workgroup sent the annual training topics survey to ECE professionals to learn about the needs and preferences of Alameda County ECE programs and use the results to plan for and offer the various training topics over the following year. In total, 366 ECE professionals responded, including 241 working in child care centers, 103 from family child care programs, and 20 family, friend, and neighbors. All respondents received one $5 Starbucks gift card for completing the survey. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to share feedback on your experience!
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Scam Alert Targeting Child Care Providers Regarding EIDL Loans
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Attention Child Care Providers! We would like to inform you about a recent scam that has been targeting child care providers. Recently, child care providers have been receiving emails and/or calls from people claiming to be from the Small Business Administration offering "EIDL Loan Forgiveness" for child care providers. EIDL loans cannot be forgiven and there is no EIDL forgiveness program.
Please be cautious of anyone reaching out claiming that they can help you. If someone claiming to be from the Small Business Administration reaches out to you, end the call, and don't provide any information to them. DO NOT provide personal and financial data to anyone you don't know!
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Free Tax Preparation and Filing Services at 4Cs Has Started
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4Cs of Alameda County has begun its free tax preparation and filing services through our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program for those who made $75,000 or less last year. Our service is open until the (recently extended) tax filing deadline of May 18, 2023.
VITA is available to families and individuals via
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Affordable Connectivity Program
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The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new federal program that helps low income families afford the cost of having internet service at home. Eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Visit affordableconnectivity.gov for eligibility information and to enroll. View the English flyer (PDF) here.
You can find additional toolkit materials and partner resources in Spanish and Chinese.
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Featured Events & Trainings
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Play It Forward-Supporting a Play-Based
Emergent Curriculum Approach
Thusday, March 9 | 7pm-9pm | Virtual
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It is widely accepted in the Early Childhood Education field that children learn best through play, yet many programs struggle with defending this practice. Understanding current research, having skills for communicating its importance as well as the conviction to implement is key. Increasing pressure for academics to be introduced at younger and younger ages, has many educators feeling the tension to compromise best practices. This interactive workshop will help participants discover the valuable processes and outcomes that happen when children are allowed the freedom to direct their own learning through play.
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Upcoming
4Cs Events & Trainings
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Virtual
18 de febrero | 9:30am-12:30pm
線上培訓
3月4日 | 9am-11am
Virtual
6 de marzo | 7pm-9pm
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Upcoming
Community Events
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Learn more about what is happening from outside organizations within Alameda County.
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Maintenance Technician
On-Call
Hayward 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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