1605 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95125 - www.kidsincommon.org - (408) 795-3771
Bold Steps for Children Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2014  


I am continually reminded of the power of relationships and how when students have relationships with caring adults in their schools, they are much more likely to be successful. This is the premise of the work that so many of you do. Two recent articles reinforce this idea for me.

First, UC Berkeley Professor, David Kirp's recent article, "Teaching Is Not a Business," highlights several education models that have "connection" at the heart of their success. The second article appeared recently in the Los Angeles Times. Garfield High in Los Angeles, already known for significantly decreasing its suspension rate, is now attacking its drop-out rate by asking school leaders to form meaningful connections with students at risk for dropping out; you can read the article by clicking here. In Santa Clara County, programs such as Project Cornerstone, The Respect Institute, and Silicon Valley Children's Fund all promote caring adult connections to help our youth be successful.

This is also the premise behind College Day, which will be taking place on October 10th. College Day is about every child, no matter what their age or background, seeing college as important to their future and something they can attain. On October 10th, we want adults throughout Santa Clara County -- teachers, youth leaders, parents, neighbors, grandparents and aunties -- to talk to the children and youth they know about going to college. This conversation can be about sharing your own college experience or a conversation about the young person's dreams and goals and how college can help him or her achieve those goals. Our College Day website has resources such as lesson plans, conversation starters, and more to help you. I hope you will start planning for College Day now.

Have a wonderful September.
Dana Bunnett, Director
Kids in Common
Kids in Common wants every child safe, healthy, successful in learning, and successful in life!

Kids in Common advocates for policies, partnerships, and investments that improve children's lives in Santa Clara County. The cornerstone of our work is the Children's Agenda, a county-wide initiative working to create measurable, positive changes for Santa Clara County children and families.
SPECIAL EVENT!  
September Is International Child Protection Month

This month, Kidpower is leading the first International Child Protection Month to honor, support, and inspire adult leadership in protecting and empowering children and teens. In addition to local schools and organizations working with Kidpower's 30 centers worldwide, Kidpower is partnering with other national and local sponsors that are committed to the well-being of young people. Kidpower will provide free resources and actions that each of us can take to keep kids safe.
For More Information: Visit www.childprotectionmonth.org, or send email to safety@kidpower.org.
Community Events

Beyond the Bench 2014
This conference includes a variety of informative workshops on teen issues, as well as a silent auction. Session topics include: Commercially Sexually Exploited Children, The Teenage Brain, Street Drugs, and Strategies for Achieving Legal Standards and Best Practice Outcomes. Breakfast and lunch are included in the $60 admission fee.
Date: Friday, September 5, 2014
Time: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Location: Masonic Temple, 2500 Masonic Drive, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Visit www.cacscc.org, or call Robin Rivas at (408) 501-6674.

Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Open House
Do you like working with kids? Are you thinking about how you can make a difference in the life of a student in our community? Mentor Tutor Connection (formerly Partners for New Generations), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, urgently needs high school mentors and K-8 tutors for students in Los Altos and Mountain View schools. Come hear about how you can support youth in our community. Bring a friend!
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm (lunch included)
Location: MVLA District Office Board Room, 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA
For More Information: You can register by clicking here.

Education Summit 2014
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group's annual Education Summit brings together industry executives, education leaders, policy makers, and elected officials to learn from leaders influencing our educational ecosystem and to actively engage in conversations about regional efforts, innovative programs, and game-changing policies that help shape the pre-K through higher education systems in Silicon Valley.  
Date: Friday, September 12, 2014
Time: 8:15am - 3:00pm with reception to follow
Location: Microsoft Silicon Valley, 1065 La Avenida, Mountain View, CA
For More Information: You can get more details and register by clicking here.

FREE Child Car Seat Safety Check
Supervisor Dave Cortese, in partnership with California Highway Patrol and Councilmember Donald Rocha, invite you to have your child's car seat inspected to make sure that it is installed properly and to create awareness for child safety in automobiles. Child Car Seat Safety Week is September 13 - 19, so come out to this event to make sure your kids are buckled up, safe, and secure!
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Branham High School Parking Lot, 1570 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA
For More Information: No appointments are necessary, but are highly recommended. To make a reservation, call (408) 467-5400. For more information, call Supervisor Cortese's office at (408) 299-5030.

San Jose Family Resource Center/The Hub Open House
Tour the Resource Center and the Hub. Learn about programs, network with the team, or simply come by and say hello!
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014
Time: 3:00 - 7:00pm
Location: 591 N. King Road, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Call (408) 793-8800.

Milpitas Children's Festival
In partnership with FIRST5, The Health Trust, and SJB Child Development Centers, the Sunnyhills Family Resource Center invites you to help celebrate its grand opening and First Annual Milpitas Children's Festival. FIRST5-funded neighborhood centers are open to everyone in the community and emphasize child and family enrichment. There will be food, games, live music, community resources, and more!
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Sunnyhills United Methodists Church, 355 Dixon Road, Milpitas, CA
For More Information: Call (408) 684 4785.

Save the Date! Latino-Latina Role Model Conference: Planting the Seeds of College-Going Dreams into the Minds of Our Students
This conference features doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, probation officers, police officers, firefighters, journalists, and other professions. All students welcome! Free breakfast burritos, free lunch, free raffle, and free registration.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2014
Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm
Location: W. C. Overfelt High School,
1835 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Send email to Esau Herrera, Conference Director, at EsauLawyer@gmail.com, or call (408) 926-7163.

Supervisor Dave Cortese Presents: 5th Annual Day on the Bay
Santa Clara County Supervisor, Dave Cortese, in partnership with the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, presents the 5th Annual Day on the Bay. This fun-filled family friendly event will have over 100+ resource booths, free kayak rides along the Alviso Marina, a rock climbing wall, live entertainment, free health services including free flu shots and blood screenings, children's activities, and so much more!
Date: Sunday, October 12, 2014
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Alviso County Marina Park, 1195 Hope Street, Alviso, San Jose CA
For More Information: Call Johnson Tran at (408) 299-5030, or send email to BOS.District3@bos.sccgov.org.

Youth Leadership Summit
Carry the Vision (CTV) is partnering with Silicon Valley FACES to provide the Youth Leadership Summit. High school age youth will engage in experiential activities for personal reflection, acts of kindness, and modeling a community of acceptance and understanding. They will be empowered to become compassionate leaders in their community, and discover how compassion transforms lives and communities into a thriving environment for every person. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for students; lunch is included.
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2014
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm; registration opens at 9:00am.
Location: Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA
For More Information: You can get more details and register by clicking here. If you would like to volunteer or be a participating organization, send email to Shelley at swan@carrythevision.org.

Inclusion Collaborative Early Learning State Conference
This interactive and reflective educational opportunity is for those involved in the care and education of children from birth to 3rd grade (with and without disabilities). Conference participants will learn to create or enhance inclusive practices in their programs. Onsite and online attendance are available.
Date: October 23 - 24, 2014
Location: Onsite attendance is at Santa Clara County Office of Education, San Jose, CA.
For More Information: Visit  www.inclusioncollaborative.org, or call (408) 453-6756.
For Your Reading Pleasure

Bullying Prevention
On August 15, 2014, the U.S. Department of Education held its 4th Annual Summit about Bullying Prevention. Many agencies and organizations shared their recent collaborations that have been underway to promote the most effective strategies for creating healthier social climates in schools. You can read many of the resources shared at the Summit as well as other local links and connections to support youth in schools on the Safe Schools & Communities Resources Page by clicking here. For more information about related school climate improvement initiatives, send email to Roxana Marachi at roxana.marachi@sjsu.edu.

ARCHIVED WEBINAR: How to Put Legislative District Data to Work For California Children
If you missed Kidsdata.org's recent webinar on putting legislative district data to work on behalf of children, the recording is now available on the Kidsdata.org website. The webinar covers how to access data available by legislative district and overlay legislative district maps on many other indicators of child health and well-being available by county, city, or school district. You can review the webinar by clicking here.

Deasy Opens School Year with Campaign Against Dropping Out
Los Angeles Unified Supt. John Deasy started the  school year with a speech to administrators in which he urged them to eliminate the dropout rate, and then assigned each one a struggling student to look after. The superintendent asked administrators to reach out to the students; all were freshmen last year who are at risk of dropping out. You can read this story that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2014,  by clicking here.

Hewlett Foundation Blog Post: The Paradox of Story Telling
The Opportunity Youth Partnership (OYP) and Kids in Common Children's Summit were recently featured in a blog post by Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Program Fellow at the Hewlett Foundation. You can read the blog by clicking here.

Foster Youth STEM and Workforce Readiness Training
TeenForce and Silicon Valley Children's Fund made a commitment to action at the 2014 Clinton Global Initiiative (CGI) America meeting. That commitment is to provide STEM education and workforce readiness training to 100% of 9th grade foster youth in Santa Clara County by 2017. You can read about this commitment by clicking here.

Former Foster Youth Take Politics Into Their Own Hands: Sokhom Mao
Sokhom Mao is a former foster youth who is now running for Oakland City Council. You can read his inspirational story on The Chronicle for Social Change website by clicking here.

Early Literacy in California's Immigrant Families
Read this report about disparities in exposure to book-sharing programs among California's immigrant families. The Chair of the Children's Agenda Vision Council is a co-author of this report. You can read it on Reuters by clicking here.

School Discipline Consensus Report
Recently released by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, this report presents a comprehensive set of consensus-based and field-driven recommendations to improve conditions for learning for all students and educators, better support students with behavioral needs, improve police-school partnerships, and keep students out of the juvenile justice system for minor offenses. You can read the report by clicking here.

How "Stranger Danger" Hurts Kids: "Stranger Safety" Empowers Kids with Knowledge & Skills
This Kidpower article describes the skills that teach kids how to stay safe around strangers, and that when they're having an emergency, they may need to ask for help from someone they don't know. Read this very popular article by clicking here.

The 2014 California Children's Report Card 
This study identifies how kids are doing in our state and what needs to be done about it. Released by Children Now, it covers 27 critical education, health, and child welfare issues and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the current status of California's kids. You can read the Report Card by clicking here.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
 
If you have a story or an opportunity that 
 you would like to share in a future newsletter, please send us an email!  info@kidsincommon.org  

 
Have You Signed the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth? 

Kids on Grass

For information about the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth go to:
www.kidsincommon.org/bill-of-rights 

 
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Region V Parent Engagement Conference Series 
Advanced Parent Leader Training Institute

Success Starts at Home
With Consuelo Kickbusch
November 3, 2014

The purpose of this conference is to grow the parent leadership in our county and ensure that school and district parent leaders have the personal effectiveness skills to support their children's personal growth and academic success. Participants will also experience personal growth as an effective and inspirational parent leader/mentor in their school community.

Join us for a day full of action, motivation, and learning! Find out how to motivate and communicate better with your children. Become true advocates for your children and their education. Learn strategies for building relationships with teachers, staff, and administrators, and learn to create a vision for your family's success. This conference will be in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm (Milpitas Room)
3:00 - 5:00pm (SCCOE Library Visit)
Location: Santa Clara County Office of Education, 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA
Registration: The parents and community leaders registering for the event should be actively engaged in the parent engagement and leadership activities at their school sites and/or school districts. There is NO FEE, but registration is required by Monday, October 20, 2014. You can register online by clicking here.
For More Information: Call (408) 453-4322, or send email to brenda_mariano-paz@sccoe.org.
Community Resources
 
FREE Kids' Vision and Dental Screenings
Healthier Kids Foundation FocusFirst and DentalFirst programs are conducting FREE (donor-funded) vision and dental screenings for children ages 6 months - 18 years old. Vision screenings are performed with a high-optic digital camera, and dental screenings are performed by a licensed dentist, Monday through Friday at your school, church, daycare center, community center, after-school program, or community-based organization. For dental screenings, all children will receive a FREE toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Healthier Kids Foundation staff will help parents with any follow-up as needed.
For More Information: This program is done on a first come, first serve basis. Schedule your screenings by calling Sunny Ochoa at (408) 564-5114, Ext. 206, or send email to  sunny@hkidsf.org.

Personal Safety Workshops   
Kidpower's Public Workshops for ages 3 years to adults offer personal safety skills training that is relevant to the ages and life situations of the students. These dynamic, upbeat workshops teach skills such as boundary setting, advocacy, stranger safety, safety with words (spoken or online), help-seeking, and de-escalation.
For More Information: See the public workshop schedule by clicking here.

Get Help with College Planning 
The Online Colleges Database helps to make the college planning process easier for future students.  It provides an easy-to-use search tool with relevant data and integrated Google Maps. It also includes expert-driven topical guidebooks that aid specific demographics, such as minorities, students and families with disabilities, and veterans who may need a different set of advice and information.  
For More Information: Visit www.onlinecollegesdatabase.org.

GED Preparation Classes 
These classes target older youth, ages 17 - 24 years. An assessment of a student's basic skill level will determine placement. Classes include both lecture and computer-based learning. The GED program is open entry/open exit during the school year.
Date: Monday through Friday
Time: 8:30am - 11:40pm
Location: 749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose, CA
For More Information: Contact Mariah Artley at (408) 213-0961, Ext. 27, or Caroline Sailor at Ext. 30. 
 
City of San Jose's Recreation of City Kids (ROCK) After-School Program 
This program offers quality, safe, affordable, and fun after-school care for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The program consists of enrichment activities, homework assistance, healthy recreation, cooking projects, special events, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. Scholarships are available. 
Date: Monday through Friday during the school year 
Time: End of school until 6:00pm 
Location: Schools throughout San Jose 
For More Information: Visit www.sanjoseca.gov/prns, or call (408) 535-3576.

FutureArtsNow! 
This program hosts weekly Open Dance Sessions at the Edenvale Community Center for $3/session. Youth and young adults are invited to come and hone their Hip Hop Dance skills during our weekly sessions inside the Edenvale Dance Studio/Gym.  
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday  
Time: 8:00 - 10:00pm 
Location: Edenvale Community Center, 330 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA  
For More Information: Call Demone Carter, Program Director, at (408) 320-5022; send email to futureartsnow@gmail.com; or visit www.futureartsnow.org.

Kidango Child Development Centers:
Open Enrollment for Infants to Five Years  
Early education matters for Kindergarten readiness and future success in school! Kidango offers high-quality preschool education and childcare in part-day and full-day programs with free or partially subsidized tuition for qualified low and very-low income families. Our multilingual teaching staff provides an academic and developmental curriculum individualized to meet children's needs; free assessments for learning and other developmental challenges; daily freshly prepared meals from the Kidango kitchen; and related mental health services.
Date: June through September for open enrollment
Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm 
Location: Kidango locations 
For More Information: Visit www.kidango.org, or call (855) 757-KIDS.

Youth Facing Expulsion   
If you know of youth facing expulsion, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth may be able to connect you with a free lawyer to represent your child in a school expulsion hearing.  
For More Information: Call (408) 280-2416.

Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Dollars Looking for resources to help advocate for Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) dollars to support early learning and development? Children Now can help! 
For More Information: Check out Children Now's new campaign with resources by clicking here. Sign up for The Children's Movement of California to receive more talking points, tips, and tools that will be released over the coming weeks and months by clicking here.

CalFresh (Food Stamps) Outreach and Application Assistance
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties can do pre-screening, answer questions, and help clients complete applications for CalFresh benefits. Application assistance can be arranged for weekdays, weekends, and evenings at community locations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. 
For More Information: Call Second Harvest's Food Connection, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at (800) 984-3663, or visit www.shfb.org/getfood. 

Free Food for Low-Income Families
Free food resources are available to low-income families through Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Our region's Family Harvest, Produce Mobile, Pantries and Prepared Meal programs can accept more participants. Food distributions and meal programs are available weekdays and on weekends at community locations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. 
For More Information: Call Second Harvest's Food Connection, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at (800) 984-3663, or visit www.shfb.org/getfood. 

For All of Our MFCC's and Other Professionals Under the Board of Behavioral Sciences 
Kidpower is now certified as a Continuing Education Provider under the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences!
For More Information: Visit www.kidpower.org.

Kaiser Permanente Child Health Program
Did you know that Kaiser Permanente in California insures low-income children who are not eligible for Medi-Cal or Covered California through its Child Health Program? With all of the confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many mixed status and immigrant families do not know that the program is an option for their child. The Child Health Program is pleased to offer a quality option in California that gives children the healthcare they need for just $0, $10, or $20 per child, per month, for up to three children, depending on the family's income. Additional children are covered at no extra premium. There are also no co-pays (no charge) for services at Kaiser Permanente facilities.
For More Information: Send email to Sarah Hurd at sarah.m.hurd@kp.org. You can also get additional details, including eligibility guidelines and how to apply, by clicking here.

PARENT PROJECT
This 12-week program, which offers classes throughout Santa Clara County, is specifically designed for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents. Parents learn specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors.
For More Information: Visit www.ParentProject.com; call (408) 808-3794; or send email to parentproject@da.sccgov.org.

Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club 
This club offers children (and adults) important lessons about conserving energy and water, recycling trash, and finding new food sources.  Supervisor Dave Cortese started the Kids Climate Club to introduce children in 3rd through 12th grades to simple tips they can use to help protect the environment. 
For More Information: If you would like Supervisor Cortese to give a presentation to your school or youth group, call (408) 299-3050, or send email to dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org.
People on the Move: Adolfo Munoz

SJB Child Development Centers is thrilled to announce its new Executive Director, Mr. Adolfo Munoz. He comes to SJB Child Development Centers with over 30 years of experience in early childhood education programs. Throughout his career he has gathered a wealth of expertise with respect to both the governmental and nonprofit sectors. Mr. Munoz is expert in helping organizations navigate through periods of change while championing excellence and quality improvement initiatives.

So please help us in welcoming Adolfo Munoz as SJB's new Executive Director! Since 1973, SJB has been dedicated to empowering local children and families through its various programs and initiatives. For more information, visit www.sjbcdc.org.
Volunteer Opportunities 

Yes We Can...Read! Mentor Program 
Help build stronger Kindergarten and 1st grade readers by volunteering an hour a week for 12 weeks at Dorsa Elementary (1290 Bal Harbor Way, San Jose, CA) or San Antonio Elementary (1721 E. San Antonio Street, San Jose, CA). You will be working in the classroom with 2 students for 30 minutes each, for one-on-one read-aloud time and time to practice sight words and other literacy skills. This program runs from September 22 through December 19, and the one-hour time slots are Monday through Friday between 8:30am - 3:00pm.
For More Information: Call Gabriela Alvarado at (408) 347-7892, Ext. 306, or send email to galvarado@gfsfamilyservices.org.

OYP Is Seeking Youth Leaders  
The Opportunity Youth Partnership (OYP) is once again opening Youth Voice positions for youth ages 16 - 24 years who would be interested in representing their peers in this partnership. If you know of a youth who would be interested in the role, please have them complete an application. This is a wonderful leadership opportunity, and a stipend is provided for the youth members.
For More Information: You can download the application (PDF format) by clicking here.

Be a Child Advocate! 
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley is currently seeking individuals, 21 years and older, to become a volunteer Child Advocate to one of the nearly 200 foster youth on our waiting list. 
For More Information: Send email to Amalia at amalia@cadvocates.org, or visit www.bemyadvocate.org.

Join the LPC Council of Santa Clara County 
The Local Early Education Planning Council (LPC) of Santa Clara County is seeking individuals who are interested in applying for membership to the Council. Funded by the California Department of Education and housed at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the mission of the LPC is to assess, represent, and promote the early care and education needs of children and families in the community. Applicants must work or live in Santa Clara County, and exhibit a strong commitment to advocating for increased quality childcare services; an ability to make information-based decisions; and excellent leadership skills.  
For More Information: If you are interested in submitting an application, please send email to Michael Garcia at michael_garcia@sccoe.org, or call (408) 453-6649.

Volunteer with Junior Achievement 
Inspire students at local elementary schools with Junior Achievement! Junior Achievement prepares youth for economic success through a short series of age-appropriate lessons about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. You can volunteer to work in schools and teach these lessons (the teacher will be in the classroom to provide support.) The dates, times, and locations are flexible, including any school or after-school program (i.e. public, private, charter, etc.) There is a one-hour mandatory training.  
For More Information: Send email to Amanda Lopez, District Manager, Silicon Valley, at alopez@janorcal.org, or call (408) 217-7906. 

Be a Mentor for Elementary School Children
Collaborative Community Program (CCP) is seeking mentors for children from Washington Elementary School in downtown San Jose. Mentors meet with children in Kindergarten through 5th grade on Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:00pm at the Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library.
For More Information: Send email to Rochelle at  
CCPSantaClara@gmail.com, or call (408) 634-2125.  You can also visit Collaborative Community Program on Facebook.