Programs & Mini-Grants

First 5 Calaveras serves as the lead agency
in the following Countywide programs.

Strong Start Calaveras

A quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for early learning programs. This grant funded program offers incentives for
Calaveras child care sites/homes and teachers for quality improvement and continuing education.

Why does quality matter? Research continues to show that high-quality early learning and care programs have a lifelong, positive impact on young children and their families.

What is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Click to learn more:

Click the star to see Participating Strong Start Calaveras sites and Ratings!

Click the link above to learn more about QRIS efforts in California.

If you are a Calaveras child care provider, please contact us for more information on how to participate.

F5 Dental Assistance

First 5 Calaveras will assist with funding for pre-approved moderate to urgent dental services for Calaveras children ages five and under whose families have insurance barriers.

First 5 Dental Assistance Fund Guidelines

2020-21 Dental Assistance Request Form

2020-21 Dental Assistance Flyer

First 5 New Parent Guide

NPK_photo_round

Practical information on good health, loving relationships and early learning opportunities.

Talk Read Sing Calaveras

Promoting early literacy and books for young children through community partnerships.

Our Mission:

Enhance quality interactions between parent and child.
Increase the number of quality, age-appropriate books in young children’s homes.
Encourage parents and older siblings to read to their child/sibling 15 minutes per day.

First 5 Funded Programs

The Resource Connection logo

Kid’s Farmers Market:

Through The Resource Connection Food Bank, children ages 3-5 years old engage in hands-on learning regarding fruits, vegetables, and healthy nutrition. They prepare a meal with fresh produce and receive the recipe and ingredients to take home to share with their families. Preschool children participate in their own Farmer’s Market and select produce of their choice. Each participant takes home a 20 lb. bag of fresh, in season local vegetables and fruits.

S.A.F.E. Self Preschool Program:

The Resource Connection Prevention Team visits local preschools to educate young children in regard to personal safety. Puppets, stories, songs, and art are used to engage children in lessons such as car and street safety, safe touch, feelings, kindness, assertiveness, stranger danger, household safety, and getting an adult for help and support. Parents learn safety skills and strategies to use with their child.

Raising a Reader Home Visiting:

A Home Visitor from The Resource Connection Early Childhood Programs assists families that do not meet the qualifications for Head Start/Early Head Start and/or those that have other barriers that prevent them from enrolling in local childcare sites in the use of early literacy materials and focused child development resources. In addition to focused curriculum, children receive developmental screenings. Parents receive referrals and resources to access appropriate services for child and family needs.

Building Healthy Kids, Families, and Communities

Gardens to grow in logo

Gardens to Grow In engages children 3-5 years old in research based, garden enhanced nutrition education. Parents and teachers participate in nutrition lessons, learn how to maintain classroom gardens, and how to incorporate social-emotional learning into the program. The construction of and/or the improvement of existing preschool/school garden spaces is an integral part of this program, creating access to healthy foods for children and their families.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Calaveras

Nexus Logo

The CASA program provided by Nexus Youth and Family Services trains volunteers that advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children 0-5 years old who are dependents of the Court. Each advocate acts as a trusted mentor and assists children in receiving appropriate assessments and services, including preschool or early childcare, ensure a concurrent permanency plan is in place, and improves the overall wellness of the children they serve.

Little Leapers Early Literacy Program

Calaveras County seal
Calaveras County Library

Enroll your children in this program with the Calaveras County Library to increase early literacy/pre-kindergarten reading skills. Families will engage in reading to their young child 15 minutes a day and learn to “unplug” and maintain quality interactions with technology. Early literacy curriculum and resource kits will be available for use in each County Library branch and local family childcare homes.