Alex writes a letter to his dad. He misses Dad, but realizes that his friends and family will always be there for him.
Monday, October 21, 2024
Friday, October 18, 2024
Job Announcement : Family Navigator I Bilingual
Do you have a desire to assist families with young children by connecting them to Solano County programs and services? Do you have an outgoing, energetic, and positive personality? This may be the position you’ve been waiting for.
WHO WE ARE:
Solano Family & Children’s Services creates connections for families and child care providers to support the healthy development of children for a thriving community. We hire individuals who have a strong work ethic and are looking for a career that supports our mission and impact in Solano County.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
The HMG Family Navigator representative is responsible for connecting young children and their families to programs and services throughout Solano County by staffing the Help Me Grow Solano Program via phone line, internet and in person. They will input data, refer clients to partner agencies for services and screening, and develop and maintain contacts with other Help Me Grow Partners.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate should be proficient with a variety of responsibilities including Microsoft products, excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, as well as customer service and listening skills.
• At least 12 Core Units of Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a BA or AA degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education PREFERRED.
• Minimum one year experience working with families, in the Subsidized Child Care Program, in a social service agency, call center, or similar community resource service PREFERRED.
• Must possess a professional and friendly attitude and be able to quickly develop a rapport with clients over the phone.
• Multi-task oriented.
• Ability to attend off-site trainings, meetings, workshops, etc.
• Bilingual Spanish helpful.
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Background check required after offer of position. Full job description is available on our website at www.solanofamily.org or request via email at JYarrow@solanofamily.org. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
SMART SHOPPING FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
1. Craft Nutrient-Packed Menus
Designing menus that meet the CACFP nutrition requirements is key to providing children with the best possible meals. By planning balanced meals that include a variety of foods from different food groups, you’re ensuring that the children receive the essential nutrients they need for growth and development. Thoughtful menu planning also helps you streamline your shopping list and minimize waste. Need some inspiration? Check out our CACFP Compliant Recipe Book by subscribing to our Monthly Newsletter, filled with healthy options for your childcare business!
2. Embrace the Power of Seasonal Foods
Seasonal eating not only introduces kids to diverse flavors but also helps you save on costs. Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season into your menus. These items tend to be more affordable and offer the children an opportunity to explore the changing tastes of different times of the year.
3. Leverage Discounts and Specials
Stay vigilant for discounts, special offers, and coupons from local stores and suppliers. Many stores offer deals on items that fit into your CACFP-approved meal plans. Being aware of these promotions helps you stretch your budget further while continuing to provide nutritious meals.
4. Maximize Bulk Purchases
Buying pantry staples like whole grains, legumes, and pasta in bulk quantities can significantly reduce costs. This strategy not only saves you money but also reduces packaging waste. You can involve the children in the process by showing them how you measure and store these items, imparting valuable lessons about portions and sustainability.
5. Discover Affordable Options at Discount Stores
Discount grocery stores such as Aldi, Lidl, and Trader Joe’s can be valuable resources for childcare providers on a budget. These stores often offer a variety of budget-friendly, nutritious options that align with your meal plans.
6. Embrace Store-Brand Quality
Opt for store-brand products when appropriate. These items are often just as nutritious as name-brand products but are cheaper. You can provide high-quality meals without overspending by selecting store-brand items for staples like dairy products, canned goods, and whole grains.
7. Frozen Produce: Convenient and Nutritious
Frozen fruits and vegetables are excellent choices for childcare providers. They retain their nutritional value, are more affordable than fresh produce, and have a longer shelf life. These items are beneficial on busy days when you need quick and nutritious meal options for the kids.
Learn more, here.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Talking About Uncle Jack
Sesame Street in Communities brings free video content of everyone's favorite, furry Muppet friends as they help children and the adults in their lives reach their highest potential. Grover and the gang will tackle a variety of topics that face children in the areas of health and well-being, school readiness, and emotional well-being. Some of the content and topics presented are more sensitive, so you should preview these videos before sharing with a child.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Apply for the Live Your Dream Award
The Live Your Dream Awards offers three levels of cash awards. Eligible applicants can submit their application through the online application system between August 15 - November 15. Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, purchase books, get transportation, or find reliable childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus on reaching her dreams.
The first level of judging occurs at the club level. Please note: each club has their own judging process, timeline, and award amount. Most clubs announce their recipients between January and April.
Timelines to receive funds are dependent on your local club.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Job Announcement : Family Navigator ; Bilingual
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Monday, September 30, 2024
Friday, September 27, 2024
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Mindful Monsters: Bubble Breathing with Abby Cadabby | Social Emotional ...
Focusing on the breath is a mindfulness strategy that can provide a sense of calm and help us reset. Join Abby to practice a bubble breathing exercise in this podcast.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Mindful Monsters: Self-Love Mantras with Grover | Social Emotional Skills
Mindfulness can be a superpower for young children to feel better, build confidence, and find focus. Practice a mindfulness strategy with Grover by repeating the special mantras in this video with children – that they are loved, kind, brave, and growing every day!
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Monday, September 9, 2024
Child Care Provider Engagement
This is an in person meeting held the 3rd Wednesday of every month
Check out our upcoming engagement opportunity events:
Friday, September 6, 2024
Ernie & Bert’s Brainfood Breakfast | Emotional Well-Being
Ernie and Bert demonstrate how food impacts our feelings and moods.
Monday, September 2, 2024
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Rosita Helps Friends Resolve Hurt Feelings | Resilience
Misunderstandings and hurt feelings can be learning moments. In this video, the friends’ teacher helps them resolve a conflict around boys playing with dolls.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Job Announcement : Family Services Specialist I
Are you interested in working in an environment that can make a positive impact in your community by building relationships with families? This might be the position you’ve been waiting for.
WHO WE ARE:
Solano Family & Children’s Services creates connections for families and child care providers to support the healthy development of children for a thriving community. We hire individuals who have a strong work ethic and are looking for a career that supports our mission and impact in Solano County.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
The Family Services Specialist will determine initial and continuing parent eligibility for subsidized child care services. This person will maintain a client caseload at full capacity of a specific program or at 80 percent capacity when managing multiple programs. This person will also be responsible for providing supportive services to families in Solano County who are participating on the child care subsidy program.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate has strong communication, organization, customer service, and critical thinking skills. This person must have knowledge and the ability to use computers for client data, word processing and a calendar of events. This person must be able to work as part of a team and be available to travel throughout California to attend conferences, workshops, trainings, and community meetings.
• Two years’ experience in a position involving community or social
service work
• One year interviewing and caseload management experience
• Experience determining eligibility for a public assistance program
preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education/experience
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Background check is required after an offer of the position. A full job description is available on our website at www.solanofamily.org or you can request one via email at JYarrow@solanofamily.org. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Solano Provider Orientation
Welcome to Solano Family and Children's Services! All providers must attend a Subsidy Provider Orientation at the SFCS office. Providers must meet the provider requirements as stated in our handbook in order to receive reimbursements from us. We hope that the information contained in this video is helpful to you!
Monday, August 19, 2024
Friday, August 16, 2024
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Solano Provider Orientation
Welcome to Solano Family and Children's Services! All providers must attend a Subsidy Provider Orientation at the SFCS office. Providers must meet the provider requirements as stated in our handbook in order to receive reimbursements from us. We hope that the information contained in this video is helpful to you!
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Brain Building Basics
Science made simple! Remember these 5 steps to help build your child's brain.
The five Brain Building Basics are the foundations for all Vroom Tips. Best of all, parents already have all they need to take these basics and create brain building moments!
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Professional Development Around Brain Science
Use these resources to support professional development around brain science for child care programs.
Vroom® has created free brain building tips that share intentional ways to encourage more quality interactions during everyday moments with children. These Vroom Tips™ give caregivers effective, easy ways to promote learning and bond with children. Vroom makes it easy for caregivers to create connections that help their children thrive now and in the future. Vroom Tips help caregivers turn everyday routines into brain building moments with their children.
Child Care Aware® of America has developed additional webinars and resources with Vroom content for sharing the brain science with educators, embedding the brain science in child care programs, and sharing brain building practices with families and children in the classroom.
Learn more, here.
Monday, July 29, 2024
Child Care Provider Training & Professional Development
Solano Family & Children's Services provides a wide variety of FREE or low-cost training and professional development opportunities for child care providers.
Topics are offered in several essential areas:
- Health & Safety
- Child Observation and Developmental Screenings
- Trauma Informed Care
- Inclusion/Caring for Children with Special Needs
- Activity/Curriculum Planning
- Business of Family Child Care
TRAINING CALENDAR
Friday, July 26, 2024
Sesame Street: Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration - What is ...
Alex talks with Abby, Rosita, and Sofia about his dad's incarceration. Sofia explains what "incarceration" means and reveals that her dad was also incarcerated when she was a child.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
INCENTIVES AVAILABLE! The Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP)
Complete an application and start receiving the
support and training from the CCIP Team!
Saturday, July 20, 2024
The Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP)
The Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) is a free training and support program for individuals who are starting a family child care business and for existing providers.
• Assistance with completing the licensing application and support through the licensing process
• Home visit to help you prepare for the pre-licensing visit with Child Care Licensing
• Training and technical assistance for established providers
Training topics may include:
- Child Development/Learning Environments
- Preventive Health and other Health Related Topics
- Inclusive Settings and Caring for Children with Special Needs
- Observation, Screening, and Assessment
- Leadership, Professionalism, Administration, and Supervision
- Family and Community Engagement
- Business of Family Child Care
Call us at 707-863-3950 EXT 752 for Technical Assistance
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Body Boundaries Make Me Stronger by Elizabeth Cole | Body Safety, Privat...
"Every parent must navigate the tricky situation of teaching kids about personal boundaries in a healthy, age-appropriate manner. Finding the right personal safety books to do it, however, just got easier with this book about personal space.
Little Nick’s story is a beautifully illustrated consent book for parents to read with their little boys and girls. In this boundaries for kids book, Little Nick experiences several situations that make him uncomfortable, but once he tells his parents, he gains new ways to address the situations.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Steps to Becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider
Attend a Licensing Orientation
- Register for the orientation with Community Care Licensing at either the Rohnert Park office (residents of Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun, and Vallejo) or the Chico office (residents of Dixon and Vacaville)
- Call Rohnert Park office 707.588.5026 or Chico office 530.895.5033
- Complete the orientation online for $25, plus a processing fee of $2.43 (for a total of $27.43) at www.ccld.ca.gov
Complete Health & Safety Trainings:
- 8 hours of CPR and First Aid
- 8 hours of Preventative Health Practices training
- Complete the Mandated Child Abuse Reporting training online at: http://childcare.mandatedreporterca.com
Additional Required Documents:
- All adults in the home over the age of 18 must provide proof of a current clear tuberculosis test
- Applicant’s and assistants’ proof of immunization against influenza, pertussis and measles
Mail Application with these Documents to the Appropriate Office:
- Copy of the orientation certificate
- Copies of Health & Safety training cards/certificates, Mandated Child Abuse Reporting certificate
- TB tests of all adults living in the home
- Proof of immunizations for those who will work directly with the children
- Check or money order for $73 for a small family child care or $140 for a large family child care
After You Have Submitted Your Application:
- Community Care Licensing will send you a confirmation letter with your facility number
- Use this number on the Livescan Form (LIC 9163) for each adult in the home for fingerprinting & background check
- After DSS/CCL receives all clearances, you will receive a call from a licensing program analyst to schedule a time for a home inspection
- Prepare your home for your visit from DSS/CCL
Contact the CCIP Team to get started on your journey of owning and operating your own family child care, workshops, networking,
and many other excellent opportunities available to you! 707-863-3950 EXT 752
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Become a Licensed Child Care Provider
Do you care for the child(ren) of a
family member, friend, or neighbor
as a licensed-exempt provider?
Are you interested in a rewarding
career caring for children in your
own home?
Family Child Care Providers regularly provide care, protection, and supervision for up to 14 children in the provider's own home for periods less than 24 hours.
SFCS is welcoming enquiries from committed and nurturing individuals, interested in establishing their own home based child care business.
Monday, July 8, 2024
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Solano Family & Children's Services : Parenting
We work to engage families, programs, and communities in building the five protective factors through the following:
Learn the Signs. Act Early
Ask us how you can learn more about Family Strengthening for your family.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
The Bear and the Bee — UK English accent (TheFableCottage.com)
Our version of the Aesop tale, retold by TheFableCottage.com: Mr. Bear is hungry for honey. Unfortunately he has no talent for negotiating with bees... This short story about the dangers of losing your temper is told in the present tense and uses simple language — great for English language learners (and everyone else too!)
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Thursday, June 20, 2024
'Sesame Street' tackles addiction
Sesame Street is tackling addiction with one of its latest segments.
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Friday, June 14, 2024
Solano Family & Children's Services : Family Strengthening
Family Strengthening
The Strengthening Families framework is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.
Protective factors are characteristics or strengths of individuals, families, communities or societies that act to mitigate risks and promote positive well-being and healthy development. Most often, we see them as attributes that help families to successfully navigate difficult situations.
See more, here.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Be Kind | A Children's Story about things that matter
What exactly is kindness? What is it to be kind? Is it being helpful? Being polite? Does it have to be a big act to be more kind? Well maybe the smallest act is the most powerful. Let's have a look at this meaningful book BE KIND by author Pat Zietlow Miler and illustrator Jen Hill.
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Solano Family & Children's Services : Parent Engagement Opportunities
Parent Cafés are small intimate settings where parents and caregivers have an opportunity to talk about their parenting successes and challenges.
The Café setting allows parents, grandparents, child care providers, teachers, and any individual who cares for a child a chance to come together to listen, talk, build friendships, and support each other.
Parent Cafés implement family strengthening values to improve communication and strengthen relationships.
No cost to attend Cafés or Workshops
All trainings and workshops that SFCS offers are open to parents, child care providers, and anyone caring for children.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Solano Family & Children's Services : Lending Library
OUR SFCS LENDING LIBRARY
PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF MATERIALS
AND RESOURCES TO ENHANCE YOUR
CHILD'S LEARNING THROUGH PLAY.
Available items:
- Books and Videos
- Themed Activity Boxes (Toys, books, puppets, puzzles, activities, etc. for each theme)
- Puppets and Puppet Stand
- Infant & Toddler Soft Vinyl Climbing Structures
- Laminating Services (Operated by SFCS Staff) ($2.00 per running foot)
- Die Cut Machine (Letters, shapes, numbers, etc.) ($2.00 per 30-min session)
- Button Making Machine (.50 cents per button)
- Book Binding Machine
Lending Library Hours:
M, W, Th, F: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Closed every first Friday of the month
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer - Little Critter - Read Aloud Books for C...
Read along with Little Critter as he plays a space cadet, a race car driver and more!
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Solano Family & Children's Services : List of Licensed Child Care Providers
Solano Family & Children’s Services offers FREE child care referrals through a computer-generated list (we don't make recommendations). We will personalize a search for you based on your needs and requirements by asking you some questions that will help with your search.
- Location
- Type of care
- Hours needed
- Ages of children
Searching for a child care provider can be overwhelming. Sometimes additional services and information is needed. Our Resource and Referral Team can help by answering your questions.
We can also provide one-on-one support for families with high-priority needs, such as finding care for a child with special needs, an infant or toddler, a child entering foster care, or other needs that may make it difficult to find care.
Quality child care offers children supportive, nurturing relationships with trusted adults and positive, diverse learning experiences that promote children's physical and psychological safety. It also promotes health and emotional, social, cognitive, and creative development.
Check out our Choosing Quality Child Care Guide for more information on quality care, the different types of child care, questions to ask potential providers, licensing requirements, etc.
FREE LIST OF LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
CHOOSING QUALITY CHILD CARE GUIDE
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Monday, May 27, 2024
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