City of Hernando’s Post

We have a childcare crisis in America - if you want to be part of the solution to fix that, read below and let's collaborate. Reach out to me at [email protected]. #childcareprofessional #stratigizer #businesscoaching #blackentrepreneurship #dare2dream

At the July AAUW Santa Cruz County Meeting "Let's Talk About Child Care". We brought people together who care about addressing the lack of available child care options in the county.   We learned that there are many substantial funding streams available for subsidized childcare, including options for families that may have been considered high-income just a few years ago. Yet, there are not enough slots in child care centers in the county to accommodate these children. Particularly in the north county.   Now, it's time to turn our discussions into actions that can make a real difference. Here are some key ways you can get involved and help improve childcare in our county:   Families - The best way for families to find the right support is to complete the referral form on the Child Development Resource Center website. https://lnkd.in/ebq55ug4 They can also dial 2-1-1 a toll-free helpline to get assistance. - Encourage families to create or join a supportive community network such as The Circle or organizations at schools.  - Increase awareness about the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program which offers temporary cash aid assistance, nutrition benefits, employment services, and health insurance to eligible families who have children. - If you own a business, support your employees by offering flexibility and childcare assistance. Or encourage your employer to do so. - Donate to organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County. - Get involved by joining the board of a local childcare organization to help shape its mission and initiatives. - Volunteer at Community Bridges, for example, help in the community garden, drive families to appointments or read to children. - Encourage people to consider a career in Early Childhood Education and tell them about opportunities for education grants.  - Spread the word about job opportunities in childcare - Open a new child care facility or support others. Share this information with people in your network who may benefit from it, such as educators, healthcare professionals, or anyone working with families. Spreading the word can help more families access the support they need.   High-quality and accessible child care is essential for keeping California working. Your involvement can make a significant impact. Together, we can create a better future for the children and families of Santa Cruz County. Doreen O'Donovan,  AAUW Santa Cruz County President

Advocating for the Illinois babies & toddlers with Parent Mentors Mago, Hila, Gueiza & Luisa (trip organizer & fearless leader) What we want: > Increase Funding for Early Intervention for infants/ toddlers who have or are at risk for significant developmental delays and disabilities. (SB 3914/ HB 5782) > Increase Funding for Preschool & Childcare (SB 3914/ HB 5782) > Department of Early Childhood that will unite IL early childhood services into one agency. Currently most early childhood programs are split across 3 state agencies (SB 1 / HB 5451)

One of the most important things parents and caregivers can do is to protect their children by educating them about personal safety and consent, particularly in an environment of learning or education. Many children are hesitant to tell a trusted adult about an issue they are having because they are afraid they will get in trouble, so it's really important that they feel comfortable to tell someone, even if it feels scary or unpleasant. For toddlers attending pre-school or day care, we need to use words and are age appropriate to help them understand things. A pre-schooler might not know the word 'consent', but may be more familiar with words like 'body' or 'touch.' Teaching your child that is in childcare to express their emotions such as "stop crying" or "don't be angry" is also highly encouraged as it can allow children to react naturally, rather than to hold it in. Educating your child about consent when they are in childcare can be the foundation of building healthy, respectful and safe relationships. Teaching your child how to be empathetic can help them in the long run and being considerate of others feelings can make a huge impact when teaching consent and how children can approach difficult situations in the future. #rafikimwema #notsilent #breakthecycle #educate #consent

Dear educators, We’ve all been there. Navigating parent-teacher meetings while managing the demands of daily life. It’s a challenge we can all relate to. While this struggle hits home for many, it's one that recently came into sharp focus when I had the opportunity to collaborate with a school. They were grappling with the delicate balance between teacher meetings and the essential need for childcare, for both parents and teachers. We stepped in to offer a solution - our ability to provide childcare when it was most needed for parents AND educators. Because our program isn't just about accommodating parents; it's about recognizing that educators are also part of the same community, and we're here to support them in every way we can. If you're in the education world and looking for a partner who understands your unique challenges, iKids U is here to collaborate and find solutions together. Let's continue the conversation and discover how we can work together to make a difference in our communities. 📚🏆 How can iKids U help your school make life easier for you? #TexasSchools #InnovativeSolutions #iKidsU #AfterSchoolCare #STAAR

One of CCA's education legislative priorities is to address the needs of the increased number of children who will be in the preschool system following the change in the law moving the Kindergarten age cutoff date to September 1st. The new law requiring kids to be 5 by September 1 for kindergarten is going to leave families without access to early childhood education, worsening our state's early childhood crisis. Around 9,000 families are affected, and about half (4,500) of these are low-income. With the average cost of childcare at nearly $13,000 per year, Connecticut families are struggling to decide between making ends meet, securing their children's early education opportunities, or being part of the workforce. Parents and educators need the time and funding to support kids through this change.

Collaboration is indeed inspiring.

In 2020, your government was called on to increase the petty weekly allowance given to asylum-seeking children and relax the restrictions on the right to work for asylum seekers. It’s 2024 and none of that has been done. The poverty and exclusion experienced by children in the abhorrent system of Direct Provision has been documented since the day it was created and more recently by the Children’s Ombudsman. Your government is deliberately pushing asylum-seeking children onto the margins of Irish society. They go to the same schools as every child in #ireland and have the same needs. And your government restricts their parents ability to meet their ever growing needs. Humans and animals need more than food and shelter Minister Roderic O'Gorman . #humanrights #Asylumseekers #refugees #europe #eu #un #unitednations #europeanunion #geneva #dublin #irish #poverty

Every child deserves the best care according to their needs 💕 "The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development plans to make it mandatory for kindergarten and childcare centre staff taking care of children with special needs, to be trained in a basic course of caring for disabled children." When special needs children are cared for by trained childminders, it helps to nurture essential skills that will prepare them for adult life. Families too may find solace by being able to better meet their children’s needs from an early age and throughout their lives. https://lnkd.in/e4-Havyd

Early education has the most profound impact on a child’s development and that’s why a re-elected Lawler Labor Government will deliver more free preschool hours for more Territory Labor’s Positive Preschool Plan will provide 30 hours of free preschool – making it the same hours as primary school – for four year olds for up to 25 preschools in the Territory. This will double the amount of free preschool available for parents in preschools chosen to be part of the staged rollout. The Positive Preschool Plan could save hundreds of Territory families with a four-year-old child at least $5000 a year by reducing the need for child care. Childcare fees are hurting family budgets, with the Territory working parents spending hundreds of dollars a week to cover these costs. Expanded preschool hours will deliver big benefits for working parents who are juggling work and family commitments. Eva Lawler