Early Childhood OC

Please join us on Thursday, 11/17/22 for a conversation around Early Childhood.

May 2022 be filled with good health, love and happiness for you and your family!

Please swipe to read Sandy Avzaradel's Farewell Message.

Dear Early Childhood OC Community,

As many of you know, in January 2022 I will transition on to work full-time as the Director of Start Well Mental Health Consultation for Early Care and Education. Before I move on, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt thanks to you – my ‘upstream champions’. You embody upstream work, which gives me faith that together, we will continue to make sustainable change in Orange County to prioritize early childhood.

Early Childhood OC was born in January 2019 in response to the overwhelming support of the Early Childhood Policy Framework developed by a cross-sector group of over 45 public and private agencies. With the support of an amazing Steering Committee and four working committees, the following are highlights of our three years together:
- A recognizable brand to push out the Early Childhood Policy Framework
- A robust website with sector toolkits, resources, and articles
- A collaboration of 42 agencies with a common goal
- Advocacy on over 20 policies and/or legislation at the local, state, and federal level
- Active engagement with five community collaboratives across the county
- $138,500 in ACEs Aware Grant Funding
- $330,000 from 2019-2021 in contract funding
- Rapid response to Pandemic through ECOC’s facilitation of the Emergency Childcare Taskforce, ECE database and $10,000,000 in ECE grants
- Social Media Presence of over 980 followers
- Implementation of the Early Childhood Policy Framework in over 20 agencies across sectors
- Creation of the Early Childhood OC Policy and Equity Position Statement

Thank you to our donors, funders, and supporters for believing in our work. I want to especially thank Providence St. Jude and First 5 Orange County for their initial and ongoing support and contributions over the years. Thank you to all of you for having faith in me as a leader to grow Early Childhood OC into the organization that it is today. I look forward to watching ECOC grow and know it will continue to make an impact in the community. I will truly miss collaborating with you all in this capacity, but I look forward to the future and to other opportunities we will have to work together. I can be reached at [email protected].

Warmly,

Sandy

As we enter the holiday season, Early Childhood OC would like to thank you for your support and advocacy for families with young children. Together, in an upstream movement, we can set children on a positive trajectory for life. Thank you for helping us ensure all children are valued, nurtured, healthy and thriving.

We're hiring a new Project Director. Click on the link below to read the full job announcement and more information. https://conta.cc/3D1I0g9

So excited to announce this great OC partnership!

Urge Congress to Pass the Build Back Better Act Take action for infants and toddlers

Thank you for supporting early literacy in such a fun and tasty way!

Cover to Cover Reading Club

Stop by any Orange Public Library location to sign up for the In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Club. Registration runs from October 2 to November 13.

Kids ages 4-12 are eligible to participate. For every five books read, each child will receive a Cover to Cover Achievement certificate redeemable for one hamburger, cheeseburger, or grilled cheese.

If children are unable to read themselves, a caregiver may read five books to them. Earn up to three certificates per child, while supplies last. Reading logs must be turned in by November 13, 2021 to receive certificates.

Visit the Library’s Programs for Children webpage for more information: www.cityoforange.org/1480/Programs-and-Events.

Our collaborative giving day is underway! Please click the link below and contribute to our efforts to support early childhood in Orange County! https://igniting-potential-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org/organizations/early-childhood-oc