A resource is now available to help the growing number of families in California tackling heightened community stress. The Care, Cope, Connect resource, created by Sesame Street in Communities in collaboration with the First 5 Association of California, helps parents cope with stress and provide safety and security for their children.
In California, nearly half of all children under the age of 17 have immigrant parents and 46 percent of households with children report experiencing a significant traumatic experience. First 5s are committed to helping parents weather these stressful situations and mitigate impacts on young children’s development, health, and learning.
The following resources may be helpful for organizations working with families across California.
First 5 Resources
Care, Cope, Connect (with Sesame Street in Communities)
Immigration Resources
- Know Your Rights (National Immigration Law Center) English and Spanish; sample know-your-rights cards in English and Spanish
- Know your rights, what to do if stopped by police, ICE raids, anti-Muslim discrimination, and more (ACLU)
- National Immigration Legal Services Directory (Immigration Advocates Network)
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) resources via the National Immigration Law Center, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and Administrative Relief Resource Center
- List of immigration attorneys who provide free services
Other Early Childhood Resources for Immigrant Families
- Spanish-language Video to Support Immigrant Parents (Abriendos Puertas/Opening Doors)
- Family Preparedness Plan (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) in English and Spanish
- Family Preparedness Planning in California- Webinar Recording (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)
General Trauma Resources
- Traumatic Experiences (Sesame Street in Communities)
- Raising Children in Turbulent Times (Renner & Munoz-Kiehne)
- Trauma and Stress (Zero-to-Three)
- Childhood Trauma (Children Now)
- Helping Young Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: Policies and Strategies for Early Care and Education (Child Trends)
- Resources to Help Families of Young Children Cope During Disasters and Traumatic Events (First 5 Sonoma County)
