News & Notes

4C Family Newsletter | May 2024

Posted on by Scott Gunnerson

Community Coordinated Care for Children is committed to strengthening
our communities and families. It’s our belief that every child deserves
a bright and successful future. We produce this newsletter as part
of 4C’s mission to be a community leader, providing
high-quality services that improve the lives of children and families.

Teachers get a week to savor our appreciation. Whether you have a teacher, know a teacher, or are a teacher, there are many ways to give a little extra support to teachers and teacher organizations. Teaching is a time-consuming and challenging profession, so here’s a chance to say thank you to those that play or have played such a huge role in our lives. For more information, click here.

Provider Appreciation Day began in 1996 by volunteers in New Jersey who saw the need to recognize the efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Support for this event has grown and recognition now includes Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, child care advocates, community-based organizations, government entities and individuals. To learn more, click here.

Teaching children to immerse themselves in a good book is one of the most valuable things you can do as a parent. A childhood love of reading sets the stage for success as an adult. A child who loves reading will have an enquiring mind, a vivid imagination, and great problem-solving skills. The week was created by Every Child a Reader in 1919 and is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. For more information, click here.

On average there are fourteen named tropical storms each year in the Atlantic basin, seven of which strengthen into hurricanes with three becoming a Category 3 or higher. However, it only takes one storm to produce long-lasting impacts. National Preparedness Week and Florida Preparedness Week are observed every May to educate families and communities on the importance of disaster mitigation, preparedness and response. For more information, click here.

Summer is coming, and that’s when children want to play and splash in the water outside. Water safety is a critical skill at any age to assist a child’s behavior in and around water. Never allow your child to go near or in the water alone and always have a water watcher with your child to observe them, no matter their swimming level. Before you head out to the pool, beach or any body of water, talk to your child about staying safe while having fun.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Here are upcoming free, family-friendly events in Central Florida:

Saturday, April 27
Florida Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival, Downtown Orlando, 7 a.m.
Arts & Foliage Festival, Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka, 9 a.m.
Earthfest, Lake Concord Park, Casselberry, 10 a.m.
Play Date, Lake Lorna Doone Park, Orlando, 10 a.m.
Touch-a-Truck, Children’s Safety Village, Orlando, 10 a.m.

Saturday, May 4
Orlando Kite Festival, OCPS Academic Center for Excellence, Orlando, 10 a.m.
Slide Into Summer, Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center, Orlando, noon.

Thursday, May 9
Free Movie, Shrek, Central Park Main Stage, Winter Park, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 11
Family Fun Day, Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka, 10 a.m.
Family Fest, Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs, noon.

Saturday, May 18
Kids Fringe, Orlando Garden Club, Orlando, 10 a.m.
Community Picnic, Vignetti Park, Ocoee, 11 a.m.

Sunday, May 19
Kids Fringe, Orlando Garden Club, Orlando, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, May 22
Job Fair, Central Florida Fairgrounds Expo Building, Orlando, noon.

Friday, May 24
Health Fair, Taft Community Center, 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 25
Kids Fringe, Orlando Garden Club, Orlando, 10 a.m.
Hurricane Awareness Expo, St. Cloud Community Center, 11 a.m.

Sunday, May 26
Kids Fringe, Orlando Garden Club, Orlando, 10 a.m.

For more events, check out the 4C Community Calendar, click here.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Local public libraries offer a variety of events such as story times. Use these links to learn more about the offerings available to your family:

EARLY LEARNING RESOURCES

Head Start/Early Head Start
The 4C Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness and child development for eligible low-income families with children from birth to 5 years old, click here.

Neighborhood Centers for Families
NCF is made up of non-profits, agencies, churches, and groups that work together to provide family-friendly accessible services and activities to Orange County families, click here.

Parents’ Pages
Get tips, strategies, and child development information from the Florida Division of Early Learning monthly newsletter, click here.

Sign up for the monthly 4C Family Newsletter alerts and other timely information about resources and services. To subscribe, click here.