May is an exciting time to live in Tehama County. We just wrapped up the largest three-day rodeo in the country, and now it’s time for the Tehama District Fair. As the school year draws to a close, tiny yellow flowers dot green landscapes across the county. Everyone can find something to take pride in or celebrate during this lively time of year.
It just so happens that First 5 Tehama is experiencing an extra sense of pride this spring. We are thrilled to present some new and highly-innovative collaborations and projects to our readers. Continue reading to learn more about what’s currently making our “buttons pop.”
Community Health Navigators
In collaboration with Chico State University’s Meriam Library, Chico Office of Civic Engagement, and Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, representatives from First 5 Tehama engaged in a joint effort to improve access to medical information for the most vulnerable populations in Northern California. Specifically, the project aims to address the needs of rural families living in poverty and those without adequate healthcare resources.
On November 9, 2022, the project team organized a training session focused on using MedlinePlus for rural healthcare providers at the Tehama County Library. The training was conducted by Ms. Stefania Acosta Ramirez, the Engagement Specialist for Spanish-Speaking Communities, at the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) All of Us Program Center. Two sessions were held, one in English and one in Spanish.
After the training, the team conducted focus groups with training participants to assess the efficacy of MedlinePlus, the community’s experience using the tool, and the potential for expanding healthcare information access. The participants expressed their appreciation for the interactive training and the MedlinePlus Tool, emphasizing their value in providing access to “valid” and “legitimate” medical knowledge, as well as making work “easier” and “more efficient” in terms of health education, connecting families with medical professionals, and empowering families to learn more about their health conditions.
The focus group findings highlighted the importance of helping families set and achieve their health goals, particularly in multi-generational households. MedlinePlus was identified as a valuable tool for serving the entire family, as well as helping caretakers fulfill their roles in the home, such as parents of young children and adult children caring for their parents. The group emphasized the broad reach of MedlinePlus, which can serve people of varying backgrounds, identities, ages, health statuses, and households. Additionally, participants discussed the positive impact of MedlinePlus on their work and the families they serve, highlighting the need to “break down barriers” and promote access to virtual information tools.
Participants further reported numerous benefits of participating in the training, describing the exercise as “interactive,” “collaborative,” and “engaging.” Beyond their own experiences with MedlinePlus training and using the tool, the participants identified opportunities to expand services, access, and raise awareness about virtual information tools. The participants expressed a desire to develop additional training opportunities and establish institutionalized resources within their communities.
The successful partnership between First 5 Tehama and Chico State University represents an important step towards improving access to healthcare information for vulnerable populations in Northern California. For more details on this exciting collaboration, click the button below.
Dual Immersion Program
Another fabulous collaboration is brewing between the Tehama County Department of Education, Gerber Elementary School, and First 5 Tehama. As a result of a two-year exploration and planning journey, Gerber Elementary will be opening a Dual Immersion Program. The goal is straightforward and powerful – to attain high academic achievement in both English and Spanish.
Beginning in the fall of 2023-2024, all families enrolling at Gerber will have the opportunity to dive into this exciting dual immersion exposure. The program will start with Kindergarten and First-grade families. As these children grow, the program will continue to expand dual immersion learning throughout their school careers.
Heidi Mendenhall, Executive Director of First 5 Tehama, highlighted that “learning two languages is one of the greatest gifts we can provide our children. From social, financial, and even health benefits, acquiring fluency in multiple languages significantly contributes to lifelong success for all students. Additionally, for students who speak Spanish at home, this program presents a unique opportunity to build upon their language foundation.”
To learn more about this promising opportunity, click the button below to catch an in-depth Future In Focus video. Enrolment questions for these new TK-K-1st grade programs can be directed to Joana Campos (see contact info below).
Joana Mabel Campos Academic Coach (530) 385-1041 ex:1535
Upcoming Professional Training
Our upcoming professional development opportunity marks the final session before the onset of the summer. On June 8th and 9th, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) will conduct a Facilitating Attuned Interactions (A Framework for Parent Engagement and Reflective Practice), or FAN, training. This opportunity is open to anyone providing care, education, or resources to families and children. Social workers, healthcare providers, foster parents, childcare providers, and educators are all welcome. This unique FAN training aims to enhance the provider-parent relationship, with the ultimate goal of creating parents and guardians who are better attuned to their children and willing to explore innovative ways of engaging with them daily.
You don’t want to miss this one. Register now by clicking the button below.