Champions for NorCal Kids

Jordan Heberlien brings his personal experience into a professional passion for supporting fathers and strengthening families. As our Local Champion for Kids guest, Jordan will share the story behind the Father Effect and why connection, support, and involved dads matter for children. Jordan will also join the  Positive Childhood Experiences Town Hall  and is planning the  second annual Father Eff...

This week we talked with Julia Parsons about upcoming events and resources at the Shasta Library, and get into some of our favorite reads when we were young. We also go into resources not only for children birth-to-five, but also for adults and how having "third spaces" helps early development, but also is important for maintaining mental health and community into adulthood.

Today we discuss what we can do to build up our local community and get to know our neighbors! Matt Plummer and Faith Chin work with Front Porch Captains, a group dedicated to these community-based principals. Share with us some of your favorite experiences with your local community and what makes you feel a part of it.

This week we discuss Heidi's trip to Disney, positive child interactions and the importance of those interactions for children's health and early development. Share with us your memories of positive childhood experiences you've had or that your children remember.

California just passed a new state budget. So, what does it actually mean for babies, young children, parents and child-care providers in Northern California?  In this episode, we discuss that and more. For families, keep trying to enroll in child care. Even if there is a waitlist, add your name. Use the SCOE Child Care Resource and Referral website to look for care, or reach out to Help Me Grow i...

In a world racing from  AI to algorithms , this episode of  Champions for NorCal Kids  reminds us that literacy still starts somewhere much more familiar:  homes, classrooms, libraries, and small towns . We sit down with  Kathy Garcia , Executive Director of  Expect More Tehama , to talk honestly about the  raw data behind literacy outcomes , the challenges rural communities face, and the  better...

In this episode of  NorCal Champions for Kids , we’re breaking new ground on a topic that matters for families, educators, and community champions across Northern California:  Early Literacy in Rural Communities . We dive deep into provocative conversations and bold questions, the kind that make you rethink assumptions and spark action. Hot Take #1: “Book deserts hit rural communities harder than...

In the first episode of our series, "it takes a village to raise readers", Wendy and I share our personal journeys in literacy — the moments, mentors, and experiences that shaped how we see reading and the power it has in kids’ lives.

Join Wendy and Heidi for an in-depth conversation exploring how First 5 Modoc began using AmeriCorps to support preschool classrooms and how that small start has grown into a powerful model for building career pathways and bringing parenting support to some of California’s most rural and isolated communities. Despite challenges from recent budget cuts, Modoc remains deeply committed to this work....

What keeps families thriving in some of California’s most remote rural areas?  Join Heidi and Wendy as they talk with and learn from  Gordon , Shasta County’s Head Start Executive Director with over 20 years of passion and purpose!  From serving  3 counties  to delivering  whole-child, whole-family  care, this episode dives into what makes  Shasta Head Start a lifeline  for families — and (spoiler...

In this series on Advocacy and Awareness, we will hear from many counties and champions for NorCal kids who are actively pivoting and working to fill gaps where services have been cut; specifically in programs like AmeriCorps, SNAP, and Head Start. Join Heidi and Wendy as they discuss the looming changes to services for children and families, the impacts these have already had on our infrastructur...

Join us for an exciting conversation during the week of the young child, where we talk about local events and opportunities for families with young children in our community. Visit CAEYC here: https://caeyc.org/board-chapters/chapters/california-cascade-chapter/

Join podcast co-hosts and First 5 Executive Directors of First 5 Shasta and First 5 Tehama as they reflect on the year through data. Getting to know First 5 through data is a powerful way to monitor the effectiveness of early childhood programs and policies. Data helps identify needs, track progress, and make informed decisions about how to best support young children and their families. 

Join us for a lighthearted and fun conversation for our local First 5 Fall Favorite activities and experiences. Sometimes we can all use a reminder of how to play in nature, enjoy the small moments and regulate our nervous system through connection. Together, we share some of the ways we celebrate fall and do all these things keeping the light hearted feeling of childhood in our hearts. 

Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness has an extra special meaning to us this year. Co-host Wendy Dickens bravely and boldly shares key learning moments; vulnerable moments; and hard moments of her personal journey with Breast Cancer. There is something breathlessly special about being welcomed into someone's journey before they are through the tunnel- this podcast is just that. If you are experienc...

Join us for an extra special episode where we celebrate awareness of the National Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and learn about common the "NICU"  through our very own co-host Wendy's personal experience having an infant in the NICU as a new mom. Wendy will share her top strategy for supporting new parents with similar experiences and empower us all to advocate as families. We conside...

In this episode Wendy and Heidi discuss tips for keeping our kids safe in the water, tell you about some options for where to swim and how to be safe in the water on those hot summer days.

In this episode we have a compilation of our past discussions of home visiting. Featuring guests like: Tarrah Selland of Northern Valley Catholic Social Service & TAPP Teen SVCS, Denise Hobbs R.N. P.H.N, and Amy Hobbs of Nurse Family Partnership. The episode not only discusses the resources available in regards to home visiting, but also some personal anecdotes about the benefits of home visit...

In this episode, Wendy and Heidi give us tips about utilizing holidays like Valentine's day to encourage our children, help them develop emotionally, and strengthen our bond with them.

Quality Counts North State uses a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education programs. In this episode, Wendy and Heidi chat with Alexis Duffy about QCNS and more.

"🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Introducing the 'Top Ten Series! 🎙️ Join us on this thrilling journey as we dive into impactful conversations with incredible advocates for our NorCal kids. 🌈 Episode 1 kicks off with Wendy and Heidi, shedding light on the POWER of literacy. 📚✨ Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a whole lot of championing for our little ones! 🎉 Let's champion together! #C...

In this enlightening episode, Wendy and Heidi engage in an insightful conversation with Mary Ann Hansen, Executive Director of First 5 Humboldt County, and her colleague Jennifer Gonzalez, Community Engagement Coordinator and Family Support Navigator at First 5 Humboldt.  The focus of this episode centers around their collaborative effort, the "Hiking Humboldt KIDS” Mary Ann and Jennifer delv...

Join us in a heartfelt conversation as we delve into the world of perinatal and postpartum care with the incredible Anna, Executive Director of Butte County First 5. 🤱🌟 Whether you're a parent-to-be, a professional caregiver, or simply intrigued by the journey into parenthood, this episode is a goldmine of wisdom and compassion. Get in touch and let us know what else you'd like to hear o...

If you enjoyed part 1, you'll love part 2! Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby. In this #championchat, Wendy and Heidi chat with Morgan Vasquez - licensed family and marriage therapist - regarding post-partum depression and anxiety and how it affects both mothers and fathers. Follow Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy.with.morgan/ Get in touch...

Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby. In this #championchat, Wendy and Heidi chat with Morgan Vasquez - licensed family and marriage therapist - regarding post-partum depression and anxiety and how it affects both mothers and fathers. Follow Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy.with.morgan/ Get in touch and let us know what else you'd like to he...