Dora Plazola

Agency Navigator

Since joining 4Cs of Alameda County in 2024, Dora has been a versatile and dedicated pillar of support across our organization. She first connected with 4Cs as a temporary employee within our Community Services Division. Over the last two years, Dora has lent her talents to numerous programs—including TrustLine, Resource & Referrals, Play and Learn Playgroup, and the RISE Resource Center—before officially joining 4Cs as a permanent team member in her role as the Family Navigator for the FACESS program.

Dora credits her journey to the supportive environment and shared vision of her colleagues. She highlights the kindness, collaboration, and dedication of the team as her favorite parts of working here, noting how meaningful it is to work for an organization that makes a real difference in the community.

Most recently, Dora transitioned to our Operations team as our new Agency Navigator. In this role, she will support families and child care providers by guiding them through initial navigation, conducting eligibility screenings, and connecting clients with the appropriate programs and staff. She will also provide vital support to our front desk operations.

Please join us in congratulating Dora on her new role as Agency Navigator and thanking her for her continued dedication to our community's children and families!

4Cs and Alameda County Community Food Bank Collaborate on Card System

To streamline our monthly food giveaways and make sure families can get the resources they need, 4Cs is adopting the Client Voice system used by Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB). Barcoded cards are available to each client, and these can be scanned quickly for registration and recordkeeping. In addition, the cards can be used at many other sites in Alameda County that distribute food. ACCFB staff were on hand, working alongside 4Cs staff, to assist clients in getting signed up for the cards. Though picking up food may be slightly slower these first couple of months, the new card system will make future giveaways run very smoothly for our families.

4Cs’ Hayward office hosts a food giveaway on the first Thursday of each month, 1:00-3:00pm, in our open-air garage. Please continue to sign up in advance on our Events page at 4calameda.org/events-trainings/category/food-distribution. If you need additional food support, check out foodnow.net, where you can search by area and schedule to find other food distribution sites.

Food Security Needs Survey for Unincorporated Alameda County Residents

Earlier this year, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors allocated Measure W funding to assist with food security for lower-income unincorporated county residents. While this funding will be allocated through a competitive procurement process, Alameda County Housing & Community Development (ACD) wants to ensure that it addresses residents’ current food security needs. To help inform this effort, HCD is seeking input from the community through a survey.



HCD inviting residents of unincorporated Alameda County to complete a brief survey about their access to food and food-related resources.

Survey Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/Lc8neACRUq

En Espanol: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/C02RheVjsG

用中文进行调查 : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/f3C4pEy8fc

Feedback will help the county better understand the challenges residents face and identify ways to address food security needs in our communities.

The survey will remain open until the end of October.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Consultation Available

The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network is offering FREE virtual consultation services to Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers across California. If you regularly care for the children of a family member, friend, or neighbor, you may be eligible to participate in FFN Consultation. This service connects caregivers with an infant and early childhood mental health consultant for a series of sessions designed to help you connect and better understand children’s behavior and development, reflect on your relationship with the child and family, grow your community connections, and care for yourself.

FFN Consultation will be provided virtually through a combination of 3 one-on-one and 4 group sessions with an IECMHC Network consultant. Consultation will begin in September 2026 and includes 7 sessions over a 3-month period. Stipends and Connect. Reflect. Grow. Kits will be provided.

Please view flyer for group session dates and more information. To sign up, submit a Request Form. If you have questions, please contact IECMHCNetwork@wested.org.

Learning Sessions for FFN Providers –

Challenging Behaviors, Strengthening Relationships with Parents, Development and Early Identification

and Pre-Literacy

First Session: November 6

Second Session: November 13

Third Session: November 20

Fourth Session: December 4

Fridays | 7PM-8PM | Virtual

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, close friend, or neighbor caring for a child?

Join 4Cs of Alameda County for a free, 4-week learning series designed just for you! Whether you attend one or all four sessions, you will gain valuable tools and insights to support the little ones in your care.

Topics covered:

• Managing Challenging Behaviors
• Strengthening Relationships with Parents
• Child Development & Early Identification
• Ways to Support Pre-Literacy

Register today to reserve your spot for one or all sessions. For questions or support with registration, please contact us at playgroup@4c-alameda.org or (510) 736-2797.

Strength in Connection: Thriving through Stress,

Adversity and Trauma

November 11-December 19 (No class on November 25)

Wednesday Evenings | 6PM-7:30PM | Virtual

You are invited to our FREE Strength in Connection online parent series in English! This interactive 4-part weekly workshop provides a supportive space for parents to listen, connect, and learn from one another. Together, we will explore the key themes like building family resilience, strengthening social connections, and understanding child development.

The goal of the series is to help parents create and maintain safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children, especially children in and out of formal learning environments. As a thank you for your time, all registered participants who complete the series will receive a $50 gift card and free children's books!

You can view more information in our flyer (PDF). Registration is open at 4calameda.org/series/strength-in-connection.

4Cs of Alameda County's Upcoming Events & Trainings

• November 5 - Monthly Food Distribution
• November 5 - Equity, Anti-Racism, and Anti-Bias in Early Childhood Education
• November 6 - 通用學習設計（UDL）11.6.2026：創造包容性的幼兒早期教育環境
• November 6-December 5 - Learning Sessions for FFN Providers
• November 11-December 9 - Strength in Connection: Thriving through Stress, Adversity and Trauma
• November 12 - Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3)
• November 14 & 21 - Practicas informadas por el trauma en la educación temprana (Entrenamiento de 2 partes)
• November 19 - Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Social Emotional (ASQ:SE-2)
• November 21 - CPR/First Aid for Child Care Providers
• November 21 - Practica practicas informadas por el trauma en la educación temprana (Trauma 200)

Join the 4Cs Team! We are looking for a passionate, full-time Child Care Services Specialist to join our Family Services Unit at our Hayward Office. Note: This position requires bilingual communication skills.

If you are interested, submit your application online!

Volunteer Opportunities

Make a difference in your community! 4Cs needs enthusiastic volunteers for our Monthly Food Distributions and special seasonal events (including diaper, backpack, and toy giveaways).

Visit our Volunteer Opportunities Page to submit your interest form.

Thank you for helping us uplift families, providers, and our community!