First 5 Calaveras partners with local organizations to offer programs that support Calaveras families with young children.

July 1, 2024 - First 5 Calaveras and Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras (PCAC) announced the availability of $12,500 for community mini-grant opportunities to sponsor public events or activities consistent with their Strategic Plan goals and objectives. Individuals, public agencies, and private organizations in need of funding to improve the lives of children in Calaveras are encouraged to apply. 

Available Mini-Grants:

First 5 Calaveras funding is available for the following categories serving Calaveras County Children Ages Birth – 5: 

• Playgroups – up to $2,000 each.
• No-Cost Community Events – up to $1,000 each.
• Calaveras County Libraries – up to $500 each. 

Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras has funding of $1,000 for projects supporting Calaveras children up to 18 years old and their parents/caregivers.

The initial application period closed on August 16, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted until funds are depleted.

Details and Application Forms:

• Mini-Grant Guidelines
• Mini-Grant Application List
• Mini-Grant Application and Budget
• Mini-Grant Final Report Form
• Public Acknowledgement/Nutrition Guidelines
• Photograph Release
• Playgroup Guidelines

First 5 Calaveras and the Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras (PCAC) are pleased to announce the following FY 2023-24 Mini-Grant recipients:

Community Mini-Grants ($1,500)

• Kid’s Day in the Garden (UC Extension Master Gardeners) $1,000
• Children’s Fair (The Resource Connection) $500

Library Mini-Grants ($3,500)

• Angels Camp Friends of the Library (Improve Story Time/Children’s area) $500
• Arnold Friends of the Library (Children’s books) $500
• Copperopolis Friends of the Library (Storytime revamp) $500
• Mokelumne Hill Friends of the Library (Musical instruments, craft supplies, printing for advertising) $500
• San Andreas Friends of the Library (Story Time materials and Early Learning resources) $500
• Valley Springs Friends of the Library (Children’s Corner upgrade) $500
• West Point Friends of the Library (Book Buddy event) $500

Play Groups ($6,000)

• Blue Mountain Coalition Playgroup $2,000
• Blue Mountain Community Renewal Council - RRF Playgroup $2,000
• San Andreas Library Playgroup $2,000

Other ($1,000)

• Amador Calaveras Breastfeeding Coalition (Nursing Nook at Fairgrounds) $500
• BMCRC-Rail Road Flat Community Center (Baby and Toddler Book Nook) $500

First 5 Calaveras funding is available for activities promoting the health, safety, development, and well-being of Calaveras children from birth through 5 years old and their families. The funding request must support one of the following First 5 Calaveras priority areas:

• Strong families
• Children are learning and ready for school
• Healthy children
• Systems integration and collaboration

Prevent Child Abuse Council Calaveras Mini-Grants ($1,000)

• Kid's Day in the Garden (UC Extension Master Gardeners) $500
• Children’s Fair (The Resource Connection) $500

Prevent Child Abuse funding is for birth to 18 years and must support one or more of the following Strengthening Families Protective Factors, which guide the Council’s Strategic Plan: 

• Parental Resilience (or Youth Resilience)
• Social Connections
• Knowledge of Parenting, Child/ Adolescent Development
• Concrete Support in Times of Need
• Social-Emotional Competence of Children and Youth

To get your FREE New Parent Kit, call (209)754-6914 or Download the Sign-Up Sheet and return by mail or email.

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.

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.

Visit our Little Free Libraries throughout Calaveras!

This section is under construction but will be updated soon!
 

Receive a FREE book every month until your child(children)'s 5th Birthday!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Vision: Young children and their families in Calaveras County will have access to high-quality early learning opportunities in both public and private settings.

Mission: Early childhood education programs across a variety of learning settings in Calaveras County will strive for continual quality improvement.

Principles: 

• The California Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Framework will guide the planning and implementation of quality improvement efforts across multiple early learning settings in Calaveras County.
• Strong Start Calaveras Members will work collaboratively and will look for opportunities to share resources and training opportunities across programs and funding sources.
• Strong Start Calaveras efforts will include both publically funded and privately funded early childhood learning settings.
• Strong Start Calaveras will ensure that efforts toward quality improvements in early education settings are inclusive of all children.
• Strong Start Calaveras will focus on building sustainable efforts toward quality, through recognizing and building on existing strengths and resources.
• Strong Start Calaveras will direct their work toward strategic and creative efforts to blend, braid, and coordinate funding sources to build a stronger and more sustainable early quality improvement system.

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

If you are a Calaveras childcare provider, please contact us at (209)754-6914 for more information on how to participate.

The CASA program provided by Nexus Youth and Family Services trains advocates for children 0-5 years old who are dependents of the Court.