Celebrating the Week of the Young Child – Local Organizations Supporting Early Learning and Families

The Week of the Young Child, April 1-7 this year, is an annual event sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It’s a time to focus on celebrating early learning, young children, and the strength and resilience of their families.

It’s also a great time to shine a light on some local organizations committed to supporting families raising young children. From podcasts to children’s fairs, here is a breakdown of local resources and events in the North State.

Multiple County Organizations

First 5 — improved outcomes for children from birth to five years

First 5  California promotes early childhood development and improved outcomes for children in their first five years of life. The organization guides parents, family members, and guardians towards the resources that empower them to promote early health, development, and learning of children from birth through age five. Each county has its own First 5 initiative, which can be found by searching the county name and First 5 online.

Help Me Grow — connecting families with resources

Help Me Grow California supports the healthy development of young children by connecting families with the resources and services they need based on their unique circumstances. Such services include early childhood education programs, childcare services, pediatric healthcare providers, behavioral and mental health services, support for children with special needs, parenting classes , and support groups.

For more information about Help Me Grow in Butte, Tehama, Shasta, and Siskiyou counties, contact your local First 5 organization or search your county and “help me grow” online.

NorCal Champions for Kids – building connections for rural kids and families

This is a local podcast hosted by First 5 Tehama Executive Director Heidi Mendenhall and First 5 Shasta Executive Director Wendy Dickens. The podcast’s mission is to build a connection between the community and the people dedicated to supporting rural kids and families.

The podcast delves into the nuances of raising young kids and features conversations with local experts and advocates who are passionate about helping families with young children.

Sharing valuable information and resources in this manner can make an invaluable impact on local families and make them stronger advocates for their own children. You can also find the podcast on Apple podcasts.

Butte County Organizations

Valley Oak Children’s Services kicks off the Week of the Young Child with their Annual Children’s Faire on April 1, 10am-2pm at Downtown Chico City Plaza. Live cultural performances, children’s music, fun activities, face painting, and many local resources will be available at this free event. WOYC-themed items will be available at the Community Resource Room events in April.

Lana Frisby, Resource and Referral Program Manager at Valley Oak, says the organization is a “one-stop shop” for resources and information to help families make the best decisions regarding their children’s care.

The organization offers child care referrals and payment assistance, free books to promote literacy programs, nutritional meals through the Child Care Food Program and Early Head Start initiatives, Behavioral Health Services, and various workshops and trainings.

The Village is a home-visiting collaborative working to simplify and coordinate connecting with home-based programs in Butte County, helping caregivers easily access resources to give their children the best possible start in life. Local programs include Butte Baby Steps, Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, and the Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting program.

The Little Red Hen and the Little Red Hen Autism Lifespan Center offer resources for families of children with a developmental disability or autism diagnosis. Read more about this organization in this month’s Uniquely Us column. Join them in Sycamore Field, Lower Bidwell Park, for the annual  Autism Awareness Carnival April 16 from 10am-1pm, following Yellow Door’s walk for autism. Enjoy games, sensory fun, bounce houses and face painting.

Shasta County Organizations

Shasta Strengthening Families is a collaboration of local agencies, organizations, and individuals committed to creating a connected community where families can thrive.

The collaborative was created out of concern about Shasta County’s high Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACE scores, which are double the state average. Shasta Strengthening Families is focused on helping families build protective factors that promote positive parent-child relationships and create a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for children.

Susan Wilson, Executive Director of Youth Options Shasta and an ACE presenter with Shasta Strengthening Families, says the regular trainings and resources will help people “get the services they need to manage” their ACE risk factors, “so these problems don’t get passed on generation after generation.” For upcoming trainings, go to Eventbrite.com and search First 5 Shasta.

Siskiyou County Events

The 8th Annual Kids Day Festival in Siskiyou County will be held April 22, 10am-2pm at Bel Air Park in Weed. The festival will include food and drink, bounce houses, activities,  games, and animals for families to enjoy.

The Festival is hosted by the Siskiyou Community Resource Collaborative (SCRC) and other community partners such as First 5, Lilliput Families, and the City of Weed. Jean Trevisan, Administrative Services Coordinator for First 5 Siskiyou, says SCRC  offers “ a huge menu”  of resources, including parenting classes, weekly playgroups, food distribution and mental health prevention services. Jean also says, “People can just come in here and hang out with their kids in the play areas if they need a change of scenery.”

Tehama County Events

Tehama County Department of Education, Tehama County Education Foundation and First 5 Tehama are sponsoring the 37th Annual Children’s Fair on April 1, 9:30am-12:30pm at Red Bluff River Park. This free event will have activities and games, face painting, first responders, superheroes and princesses, a DJ and live entertainment, food vendors, and more. Stop by the North State Parent magazine booth to say hello and make a cardboard fish project with your child.

For more information, find Tehama County Department Of Education on Facebook.