Job Announcement : Resource & Referral Specialist I

Do you have a desire to assist families and child care facilities in Solano County with their child care needs by providing resources, technical assistance, and information on child care related topics? If you think you would enjoy assisting. with the development and presentation of workshops and training series for the community, this might be the opportunity you have 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 Resource & Referral Specialist I will consult with families to determine child care needs, process child care referral requests, and provide education regarding quality child care, community resources and child care referrals.  This person will also conduct intake for new child care providers and provide consultation to the public about quality child care, community resources and child care referrals, as well as maintain and develop the SFCS community Lending Library services while assisting walk‐in clients with referrals, licensing, and other R&R services.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE: 

The ideal candidate should have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent customer services skills and be proficient with Microsoft Office products.

 At least 12 Core Units of Early Childhood Education/Child Development preferred

 One year office experience or equivalent training program required

 AA degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education preferred

 Multi‐task orientated

 Minimum one year center or home‐based family child care experience or experience working in a resource & referral program or similar community resource service preferred

 Ability to attend off‐site training, meetings, workshops, etc.

 Ability to lift at least 25 pounds

 CA Driver License and dependable auto with insurance coverage that is required by law

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 accommodation 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

Website

The Very Busy Spider – 🕷️ Read aloud of the classic Eric Carle book for ...

Join us in this read aloud classic kids book, "The Very Busy Spider", by Eric Carle.  With beautiful illustrations of farm animals, follow along with our very determined spider as she enjoys the results of her hard work!

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

How to Make Healthy Eating Fun for Kids

Getting kids excited about healthy food starts with how you present it.

Try these simple strategies:

• Make meals colorful—use a rainbow of fruits and veggies.
• Use fun shapes—cookie cutters work wonders on sandwiches, fruit, and cheese.
• Create build-your-own meals—like taco night, DIY wraps, or smoothie bars.
• Let them help in the kitchen—kids are more likely to try what they make.
• Give healthy choices—"Would you like apple slices or carrot sticks?"

When healthy food is fun, kids are more willing to eat it—and enjoy it.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

5 Easy Meal Prep Tips for Busy Parents

Healthy eating doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen. With a little planning, you can save time and still feed your kids well.

Here are five quick meal prep tips:

1. Plan meals for the week—write it out or use an app.
2. Chop fruits and veggies in advance and store in clear containers.
3. Batch cook proteins like grilled chicken or turkey meatballs to mix into different meals.
4. Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot for hands-off cooking.
5. Prep lunchboxes the night before to cut down morning stress.

Meal prep doesn’t need to be fancy—just practical. A little effort now saves a lot of hassle later.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Are You My Mother | Mr Storytime | Read Aloud Book

Are You My Mother? is a classic children's book loved by generations of children. P.D. Eastman's book about a newborn bird's search for his mother is part of the Dr. Seuss Beginner Books Collection.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Healthy Meal Plans for Kids Made Simple

Feeding kids can be tricky—but building a healthy meal plan doesn’t have to be. The key is balance, variety, and making nutritious food fun.

A good kids’ meal plan includes:

• Lean proteins like chicken, beans, or eggs
• Whole grains such as brown rice, oats, or whole-wheat bread
• Fruits and veggies in every color (the more colorful the plate, the better!)
• Dairy or dairy alternatives for strong bones
• Healthy snacks like yogurt, fruit, or nut butter on whole-grain crackers

Try planning meals ahead for the week and involve your kids in the prep—it makes them more excited to eat what they helped create. Simple, healthy, and kid-approved.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

The very hungry caterpillar | Animated Book | Read aloud

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

THE IMPORTANCE OF VEGETABLES IN MEAL PROGRAMS

Vegetables are an essential par t of meals provided through various programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Summer Food Ser vice Program (SFSP). Understanding how to accurately credit vegetables is vital for compliance and helps ensure the deliver y of balanced and nutritious meals.

Creditable Vegetables

To qualify as part of a reimbursable meal or snack, vegetables must adhere to the following criteria:

• They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried (like lentils or beans), or 100% full-strength juice.
• The minimum creditable serving is **⅛ cup**, except for infants.
• Most vegetables are credited based on the volume served.

Special Rules

• For NSLP and CACFP , raw leafy greens are credited at half the volume ser ved (e.g., **½ cup** of romaine equals **¼ cup** of vegetables).
• Cooked greens (e.g., sautéed spinach) are credited as served.
• Tomato paste or puree is credited based on whole food equivalency.
• Beans, peas, and lentils can count as either a vegetable or a meat alternate, but not both in the same meal.

Juice and Smoothies

• No more than **½** of the weekly vegetable requirement can be fulfilled by juice.
• In the CACFP/Preschool, juice may only be ser ved once per day.
• Vegetable smoothies are credited as juice and count toward juice limits.

Examples by Subgroup

• **Dark Green:** Kale, spinach, romaine
• **Red/Orange:** Carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes
• **Beans/Peas/Lentils:** Chickpeas, black beans, lentils
• **Starchy:** Corn, green peas, white potatoes
• **Other:** Cabbage, cucumbers, mushrooms

What Doesn’t Count

Items such as pickle relish, ketchup, home-canned or freeze-dried vegetables (unless rehydrated), and chips do not qualify toward the vegetable component.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Clerical Assistant II Front Desk

Do you have a desire to work with an organization whose goal and passion is to serve the community they represent? Are you an efficient, independent multitasker who enjoys working on a variety of activities and projects? This may be the position for which you have been waiting.

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 Clerical Assistant II – Front Desk is responsible for the professional representation of the agency to the community. This person will serve as the backup to the Receptionist. They will greet and assist clients and visitors, direct them to the appropriate staff and information, process incoming and outgoing mail, as well as operate a multi-line phone system in a fast-paced office environment. They will also assist the Human Resources Department with processing applications and onboarding activities.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Our ideal candidate has strong communication, interpersonal, customer service, problem solving, creative thinking, and multi-tasking skills. They must be highly organized and pay attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to prioritize assigned tasks, work well under pressure, and with other community partners.

• Two year’s experience as a receptionist using a multi-line phone system in a high-traffic reception area or equivalent training preferred.

• One year experience working in the Human Resources field is a plus but not required.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• High integrity and confidentiality skills required

• Ability to build and maintain effective work relationships

• Ability to accept supervision.

• Ability to work successfully both independently and as part of a team

• High School graduate or equivalent.

• Bilingual Spanish a plus but not required

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website