Community Happenings

Have you registered yet??? Don't miss the opportunity to be part of critical conversation on how we can support our immigrant families and children during delicate times. This Thursday, April 26th from 5-7pm in Arroyo Grande. Check out the flyer and link for more details! Hope you'll join us! https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ef9nw0hw3b17d069&oseq=&c=&ch=

Weekend Watch: So many options for families! You'll find First 5 SLO County staffers in two different places for great causes! Atascadero's Children's Day in the Park and Miracle Miles for Kids-- from Morro Bay to Cayucos. Both tomorrow, Saturday, April 21st. Check out the flyers and links below for all the deets on these super Central Coast events. Join us! http://mm4k.com/ https://www.atascadero.org/index.php?option=com_rseventspro&layout=show&id=1:children-s-day-in-the-park&Itemid=1943

Thankful Thursday: A win for family-friendly policies! 🙌😊https://www.npr.org/2018/04/18/603354839/after-lawmaker-gives-birth-senate-poised-to-allow-infants-in-for-votes

What's Up Wednesday?: Two weeks from today, First 5 Commissions from across the state will join with partners, families and legislators to celebrate our 20th anniversary-- at the Capitol Lawn in Sacramento! We'll hear from and honor legislators who are champions for children, do science experiments and relay races with local kids, and hang out with Potter the Otter and Sesame Street’s Rosita! Join the fun-- and spread the word to anyone else who might like to attend! #OurKidsOurFutureCA

Connecting with County Supervisors! And getting some help from those who truly know early childhood best-- kiddos themselves! 😊Great to share our annual update this afternoon with those who make decisions that impact our families! A perfectly fitting presentation for April: Month of the Child & Child Abuse Prevention Month! AND-- a special thanks for the heartfelt comments from two young and very eloquent public speakers! 😍

Have a case of the Mondays? Try a Talk.Read.Sing. moment with your little ones! Guaranteed to make a memory - and a positive impact!😊 Another great article here about the importance of serve-and-return communication!!! Be sure to check out our website for more resources and tips! http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-md-babies-talking-20180326-story.html https://www.first5slo.org/talk-read-sing.php

Mark-It-Down Monday: Powerful dialogue at our last workshop--- can you make it to this one?! Thursday, April 26th-- join us for another important community conversation on ways to support our immigrant families and children. Check out the flyer for more details! And click on the link to register: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ef9nw0hw3b17d069&oseq=&c=&ch=

Weekend Watch: Sunday Funday for the Family-- Day of the Child in Oceano! It’s another jam-packed jubilee of games, prizes, health screenings, children’s activities and nutritious snacks! The Food Bank will host a distribution and give demonstrations. Join the festivities from 1-3:30pm (Sunday, April 15th) at the Oceano Community Center on 19th Street. Check out our website for more info on activities related to Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month! https://www.first5slo.org/community-happenings.php

Thursday's Thought: It's not easy being a child in California. Check out these stats.. and learn why we need to invest more in our youngest kids! We'll be talking to our state legislators next month-- about this very issue! Thanks to all of our friends and partners who work so tirelessly on behalf of our little ones and families! #OurKidsOurFutureCA

Tuesday's Tidbit: 20 years ago voters approved Prop 10, creating the First 5 network to help California’s kids be healthy, safe, and ready for school and life. Thank you voters, and thank you to all who work with families toward this goal every day. #OurKidsOurFutureCA 😊

Weekend Watch: Well. The weather. And THIS. We're hoping for a dry stretch at this downtown destination! ☔☀️🤞The 40th annual Children's Day in the Plaza! We're proud to be a partner and sponsor of this awesome county-wide event for families! Come by our booth to Play Plinko and win prizes! Hope to see you there tomorrow, Saturday, April 7th from 10am-3pm!

What's Up? Wednesday: how about our new website? https://www.first5slo.org/ Read up on our Commission Meetings, Funded Programs and Partners, Community Happenings, Hands-on Heroes Awards, TalkReadSing Tips and our local Children's Bill of Rights! We hope you'll tech the time to check it out😆😊

April is All About Our Children and Families!-- and THIS individual-- is working hard on their behalf! Meet our newest Hands-on Hero, Tom Dobyns, whose service with CASA reflects the super strong belief that every child has a right to grow up in a safe, permanent home. Tom's dedication is true and tireless. Hit play and you'll hear it in his voice... and find even more reason to honor Month of the Child & Child Abuse Prevention Month across our communities!

Full-Heart Friday: Our local Children's Bill of Rights-- makes its way to Capitol Hill! This aspirational framework is a point of pride for SLO County, and those working on behalf of some of the youngest and most vulnerable among us. #workingforkids #healthyfamilies #cbor http://www.first5slo.org/childrens-bill-of-rights/

Weekend Watch: *Spring* into Month of the Child & Child Abuse Prevention Month with this wonderful family fun day in Nipomo! Tomorrow-- Saturday, March 24th 11am-2pm. It's guaranteed to be eggciting for the little ones.😄 Be sure to stop by the First 5 booth to play Plinko and win free prizes!

TONIGHT! March 22nd! Join us for an important community conversation on ways to support our immigrant families and children. San Luis Coastal Adult School from 5-7pm! Check out the flyer for more details.

While they were napping-- we were honored to be their voice.😊 Our children, our future. April-- officially proclaimed "Month of the Child & Child Abuse Prevention Month", by the County Board of Supervisors. Join us for all of the family-focused educational and recreational activities taking place across our communities. Stay tuned for more posts in the coming days of course!!!

Motivation Monday: OUR CHILDREN!!! As First 5 marks 20 years of working for kids, we also look forward to celebrating young families everywhere during April: Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Check out what's airing right now on KSBY-TV and COE-TV Channel 19! Stay tuned for more details on all the ways to connect in our communities over the next few weeks and throughout the entire year!!! A huge thank you to all of our friends and partners who dedicate themselves to helping improve the lives of the youngest among us! #monthofthechild #childabusepreventionmonth #talkreadsing #healthykids #healthyfamilies

Thoughtful Thursday: one week from tonight!-- embracing, encouraging and supporting ALL of our children and families! First 5 SLO County Health Access is proud to help host "Promoting Healthy Immigrant Communities" Thursday, March 22nd, 2018 from 5-7pm at San Luis Coastal Adult School. Take a peek at the flyer below for more on the panelists and topics to be covered! Hope you'll join us and be part of the dialogue!

As students walk today, and share their voices, may we all be reminded that our children-- are our future. ❤️

Tuesday's Takeaway: Parenting in the Tech Age! An App Guide for Raising a Healthy child... from nutrition tips to breastfeeding support to developmental benchmarks and activities... check out this comprehensive list of tools for new moms and dads!!! Feel free to share with families you know!

Feel Good Friday: Be inspired by a couple of young, generous spirits-- who're turning adversity into opportunity! Special stuff... guaranteed to fill your heart with hope! In case you missed it on KSBY, check out their story! http://www.ksby.com/clip/14184990/local-boys-helmets-for-helmets-fundraiser-attracts-nfl-attention

Weekend Watch: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime.... this Sunday, March 11th, on "60 Minutes" (CBS). A timely topic amid tragedy and crisis involving our kids. Tune in and become part of a critical conversation that impacts us ALL! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oprah-winfrey-childhood-trauma-ptsd-60-minutes-report/

Mark-it-down Monday: Expert advice on infant feeding, one week from today! March 12th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton: Licensed Occupational Therapist Sheri Mortola, hosted by our friends at the Central Coast Breastfeeding Coalition! Learn up on mechanics, difficulties, "red flags," etc... through all the developmental stages... birth to adulthood. Check out the flyer for more details!

A connector on every level with a passion for making sure every student has clean, new clothes and supplies for school. Meet Maureen Marquis, our March 2018 Hands-on Heroes! She's an inspiring ambassador for the Assistance League and its Operation School Bell Program. The proof is in the poignant words of her friends and fellow volunteers. Hit play-- and be reminded of all the reasons why the Central Coast is such a special place to live! Thank you for all that you do on behalf our our children and families, Maureen! This video, produced by our friends at the County Office of Education, plus, a full-page profile, in the SLO Journal Plus!