Support & Training

Connecting families with community supports to increase the health and well-being of children in Calaveras.

First 5 Calaveras serves as the lead agency for “Strengthening Calaveras Families” which consists of First 5 Calaveras, Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras, and programs funded under the Behavioral Health Services: Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63)

Funded by MHSA Prop 63

Strenghtening Families 5 Protective Factors Hand Logo

Parental Resilience: “I have courage during stressful times or in a crisis.”

Social Connections: “I have friends and at least one person who supports my parenting.”

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: “Parenting is part natural and part learned.”

Concrete Support in Times of Need: “My family can get help when we need it.”

Nurturing and Attachment: “My children feel loved, believe they matter and can get along with others.”

Strengthening Families through the Five Protective Factors

Evidence supports that these Five Protective Factors are present in strong families:

Nurturing & Attachment
Developing a bond of strong, warm feelings with my child
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Understanding how children grow and develop and applying effective, nonviolent discipline techniques appropriate to my child’s age and level of development.
Parental Resilience
Gaining an awareness of my own challenges in parenting and learning ways to handle everyday stressors and recover from an occasional crisis.
Social Connections
Feeling encouraged and supported in facing the daily challenges of raising a family.
Concrete Supports
Learning about community resources such as child care, health care, education, counseling, housing, or food that help me ensure the health and well-being of my child. Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs there is, but raising healthy, well-functioning children is one of the greatest contributions a parent can make to society. Parenting is a learned process which results from a combination of having a positive role model for parenting, strong support in the learning process, and access to accurate, helpful information.

Parent Education, Support, and Workshops

FREE Parent Education classes are offered on various topics to support Calaveras parents and guardians in raising children 0 to 17 years.

Click the image above to take the survey or visit: https://forms.gle/yAquHdpmL2imVev4A

Strengthening Families Parent Education Classes

Mindful Communication - 4 Part Series

Mindful Communication - 4 Part Series*

Facilitated by Sally Arnold, RN, BSN, MA, Certified Mindfulness Educator

Tuesdays, August 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2022 6 to 7:30 pm

*Attendance at all sessions is recommended, but not required.

Parenting Children with Trauma and Challenges

SUMMER SERIES: Parenting Children with Trauma and Challenges - August
Facilitated by Denise Combs, MFT

Meetings held by Zoom, on the last Monday of the month from 6 to 7:30 pm

August 29, 2022

<Click to add to Calendar

Parenting Children with Special Needs - 2 Part Series

Parenting Children with Special Needs - 2 Part Series*

Facilitated by Karen Pekarcik, LCSW

Thursdays, August 25 and September 8, 2022, 6 - 7:30 pm*

*Attendance at both sessions is recommended, but not required.

Visit the Event Calendar to add a reminder to your phone or computer!

Training for Professionals

Training for Early Childhood Educators, Teachers, Supervisors, Therapists, Social Workers, and other community professionals.

Professional Training

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

In 2018, First 5 Calaveras in Partnership with Calaveras County Office of Education and Calaveras Trauma Consortia held "Building A Trauma Sensitive School Community" Workshop with Steve Graner, NME Project Director from The ChildTrauma Academy. The Neurosequential Model in Education was developed by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and the ChildTrauma Academy to educate school staff about developmental trauma and how to apply that knowledge in interactions with children whose development has been compromised by adverse childhood experience.

NEW* Neurosequential Network COVID-19 Stress, Distress, & Trauma Video Series with Dr. Bruce Perry

Cultivating Connections with Erin Gruwell

Thank you to Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers Foundation for joining us for a Special 2-Hour Inspirational Online Event on March 18, 2022.

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Mindful Schools

In 2015, First 5 Calaveras in Partnership with Calaveras Unified School District piloted The Mindful School Program for educators and students at West Point Elementary School. The purpose was to offer a neuroscience research based approach to support teacher and student wellness. In partnership with “Mindful Schools” in Oakland, CA educators completed two 6 week online courses that supported a personal practice followed by a curriculum course for implementation in the classroom.

Currently, West Point Elementary, Mokelumne Hill Elementary, Copperopolis and Mark Twain Elementary (lower grades) are implementing the practice at their respective schools.

What is Mindfulness?

Research and Neuroscience

Watch and hear from elementary school students learning to use mindfulness to navigate complex feelings in this short video created by Mindful Schools graduate & filmmaker, Julie Bayer Salzman

Strategies TA Learning Exchange

Strategies TA supports and inspires cross-sector networks throughout California to advance community-driven action to strengthen children and families, centered in equity and inclusion. Recorded training sessions available.

Online Training and Webinars for Early Childhood Educators

2022 Webinars and Workshops for Child Care Providers

CPIN Region 6 Upcoming Virtual Trainings:

UPCOMING CPIN VIRTUAL TRAININGS

For more information about CPIN, please visit http://www.sjcoe.org/CPIN/#.WX9TS4Tyupp

Additional Online Trainings and Resources

Pro Solutions Training – Numerous online trainings

High Scope – Online Training, curriculum planning and more

Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance System - Online trainings- focus on school age, after school and summer

Connect4Learning - Online trainings and preschool curriculum information

Child Care Aware - Does not offer trainings, but has a lot of great information and resources

Teaching Tolerance - This is a great FREE online resource that has anti-bias frameworks, curriculum, articles, magazines and SO much more.

California Early Childhood Educator Competency Series

California Early Childhood Educator Competency Series (WestEd) is a self-paced, online, professional development tool from the California Department of Education to help early childhood educators learn about the Early Childhood Educator Competencies. The Series includes an introductory video and twelve 15- to 20-minute videos, one for each Competency Context. Through interviews and examples, each video guides the viewer through the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions of the Early Childhood Educator Competencies.

California Early Childhood Online

California Early Childhood Online - This website hosts online training in the following areas:

Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) (20 hrs.)
CSEFEL (Center for Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning) Teaching Pyramid (3 hrs.)
California Early Learning Foundations and Curriculum Framework (45 hrs.)
3 R’s of Early Childhood Relationships, Resilience, Readiness (6 hrs.)
Healthy and Active Preschoolers (10 hrs.)
Implementing the Protective Factors Framework (14 hours)

You must register for this website and retain your password. Training is free and counts for professional development.

California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)

California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) is brought to you by the California Department of Education, Early Education and Support Division in collaboration with the Center for Child and Family Studies at WestEd and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). CPIN provides high quality professional development for preschool administrators and teachers highlighting current research-based information, resources, and effective instructional practices which are focused on preparing children to flourish in early childhood and succeed in elementary school and beyond.

Center for Optimal Brain Integration

Center for Optimal Brain Integration trains, coaches and consults on trauma-responsive practices and strategies.

Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

AB 1207 - CALIFORNIA CHILD CARE PROVIDERS: MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING

Classroom Accommodations for Kids with Sensory Issues

Classroom Accommodations for Kids with Sensory Issues

Early Childhood Investigations

Early Childhood Investigations is an ongoing series of conference-quality free webinars for early childhood educators. The series is produced by Fran S. Simon, M.Ed., Chief Engagement Officer of Engagement Strategies, LLC. These engaging webinars are presented by many of the thought-leaders and experts in the field of early care and education. The webinars explore critical topics that offer new ideas and insights to early childhood professionals, especially administrators. Please note: most webinars are scheduled on Eastern Time so adjust the start time!

EarlyEdU Alliance

The EarlyEdU Alliance® transforms early childhood teacher preparation by closing the opportunity gap through a collaboration of early childhood experts and stakeholders working to provide high-quality college degree programs that are accessible, affordable, relevant, and effective for current and prospective early learning professionals.

For a short time, the EarlyEdU Media Library is accessible to all! Follow this link to register for an account.

Family Child Care Specific Training

California Early Childhood Online (CECO)

Gee Whiz Education Great free activities and trainings

Business Practices in Family Child Care • 5 modules/7.5 hours total • Available in English and Spanish

Module 1: An Introduction to Best Business Practices in Family Child Care

Module 2: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 1–Program Planning) 2

Module 3: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 2–Liability) 2

Module 4: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 3 Finances and Record Keeping) 2 hours

Module 5: Sustainability in Family Child Care 2

How the Right Curriculum Boosts Your School's STEM and Social-Emotional Learning

Museum of Science Infographic: The Five Core Competencies of Social-Emotional Learning And the Impact of an Innovative STEM Curriculum on Your Students

Kaplan/Quorum Courses

Kaplan/Quorum Courses

Multilingual Learning Toolkit

The Multilingual Learning Toolkit is an online hub for FREE research-based key principles, instructional strategies, and practical easy-to-use resources that are geared towards educators who teach PreK-3rd Multilingual Learners.

Neurosequential Network COVID-19 Stress, Distress, & Trauma Series - Dr. Bruce Perry

Neurosequential Network COVID-19 Stress, Distress, & Trauma Video Series by Dr. Bruce Perry

Professional Development to Go (PD2GO) packs

WestEd’s Early Education Effective Exchange developed Professional Development to Go (PD2GO) packs (English and Spanish), a collection of professional development experiences designed in individual, easy-to-use 15-minute "packs" focusing on continuous quality improvement in early learning programs. The 15-minute packs are supported by a suite of comprehensive resources designed to extend learning, help participants "dig deeper" into the topic, and build their skill capacity. PD2GO packs are organized in three comprehensive learning strands: Systems Thinking, Evidence and Effectiveness, and Intentional Interactions in Teaching. They also are organized by themes: Family Engagement, Dual Language Learners, and Supporting Individualization. Each pack includes an animated Powerpoint presentation, Facilitator Guide, and Handouts. They were designed for use in small groups by center directors and family child care providers with their staff.

Second Step Early Learning Program

Second Step Early Learning Program

Help your littlest learners harness their potential by teaching them to listen, control their behavior, and get along with others. Students enter kindergarten set up for success with the self-regulation and social-emotional skills taught in the research-based Second Step Program. Due to the fact that Second Step Early Learning Program does not provide completion certifications you will need to complete a “Professional Development Summary Template”.

Strengthening Families Protective Families Framework

Children’s Trust Fund Alliance - This online Training and self-assessment focuses on family engagement and supporting parents. Each course includes required lessons with videos, an end-of-course quiz, portfolio assignments, an individual action plan assignment, and a certificate of course completion. The online training is free of charge and funded through the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention.

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns provides tools and best practices to help you work with families to monitor the development of every child in your care, share your concerns with families in a positive way, and help families get connected to services and support that can make a real difference. The 1-hour training is FREE, available online, and is approved for continuing education credit. Take the training today and help make a difference in the lives of all the children in your care!

FREE Child Development Screenings Flyer