February 9, 2026 - First 5 Calaveras is pleased to announce that the Calaveras Children and Families Commission has approved additional funding for community mini-grant opportunities to sponsor playgroups and community events 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 to support activities for Calaveras children ages 0 to 5 and their parents/caregivers in the following categories: 

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

Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2026, or all 2025-26 funding has been awarded, whichever comes first.

Guidelines and Forms:

• Mini-Grant Guidelines
• Mini-Grant Application: Word | PDF
• Mini-Grant Final Report Form
• Public Acknowledgement/Nutrition Guidelines
• Photograph Release
• Playgroup Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

Playgroup FAQ

First 5 Calaveras and the Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras (PCAC) are pleased to announce the following FY 2025-26 Mini-Grant recipients:

Community Event Mini-Grants 

• Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families - $500 for Family Garden Day
• The Resource Connection Early Childhood Programs - $1,000 for Community Outreach Event
• UC Extension Master Gardeners - $1,000 for Kid’s Day in the Garden

Library Mini-Grants 

• Angels Camp Library - $500 for Children's playroom and Story Time materials
• Arnold Library - $500 for Story Time and play area update
• Copperopolis Library - $500 for In My Garden Event
• Mokelumne Hill Library - $500 for Story Time materials
• Murphys Volunteer Library - $500 for Story Time materials
• San Andreas Library - $500 for Story Time materials
• Valley Springs Library - $500 for Children's Book Giveaway
• West Point Library - $500 for Children's books

Play Groups 

• Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth & Families - $2,000 for West Point Playgroup
• San Andreas Library - $2,000 for Little Leapers San Andreas Playgroup
• Waypoint Headings - $2,000 for Rail Road Flat Playgroup
• Wild Blossoms Collective - $2,000 for Valley Springs Playgroup 

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 

• Blue Mountain Community Renewal Council - $500 for Let's Do This!
• Gardens to Grow In - $500 for CUSD Attendance Supports
• UC Extension Master Gardeners - $500 for Kid's Day in the Garden
• Waypoint Headings - $500 for ASQ's 

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
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Provided by Nexus Youth and Family Services, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Calaveras provides comprehensive training, guidance, support, and supervision for local CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children 0-5 years old who have experienced abuse or neglect and are involved in the court system. Their dedicated advocacy ensures that these children are safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

Provided by Nexus Youth and Family Services, the Heart Smart Kids program offers group learning conversations and workshops that promote positive social-emotional development in young children ages 0-5 years at their Valley Springs Youth Center and other locations in Calaveras.

Services include strategies for healthy child development, constructive parent-child interaction, positive parenting and discipline, preparing for school success, child screening, liaison and linkage to needed resources, and outreach. The goal of the program is that participants will increase their knowledge and understanding of children’s social-emotional needs and learn strategies to support their development. 

If you are a licensed family child care provider, preschool staff, and Family, Friend, or Neighbor caring for children other than your own, this program is for you!

We invite you to participate in Strong Start Calaveras and receive monetary incentives and support as you grow in the field of early childhood education.

Receive money for completing:

• Annual Quality Improvement Plan Goals
• Early childhood education (ECE) and safety classes
• ECE educational units

Additional supports include:

• Learning opportunities online and in-person
• Family, Friend, & Neighbor (FFN) caregiver Engagement Activity kits
• Toolkits for Dual Language Learners (DLL) or children with disabilities
• And more!!

Learn more:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• 2025-26 Strong Start Calaveras Incentive Guidelines

Application Forms:

• Strong Start Enrollment Fact Sheet
• Enroll online!
• Strong Start Calaveras Program Application 2025-26
• SSC Participant Agreement 2025-26
• QIP goals 2025-26
• Professional Development Tracking Form
• Strong Start Calaveras Meeting Dates

Visit our Little Free Libraries throughout Calaveras!

This section is under construction but will be updated soon!
 

The Calaveras County Library offers the Little Leapers Early Literacy Program at library branches throughout the county. The goal of this program is to expand the message of early literacy; expand library use by families with young children; promote daily talking, reading, and singing to young children; and promote reading aloud to children for 15 minutes a day. Seven of the eight library branches’ on-site library activities offer weekly Little Leapers Storytime events. 

To get your FREE New Baby Kit, call (209)754-6914 or Download the Sign-Up Sheet and return to First 5 Calaveras.

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

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

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.