The phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child,” comes from an African proverb, reminding us that it takes many people to provide a safe, healthy environment for children to develop and flourish. In our modern societies, this includes our local community organizations and businesses! Inspired by this mentality that connected villages help children thrive, we offer a new article series, “Creative Collaborations.” In this series, we will bring you useful information and imaginative approaches to leveraging local connections to support young children and families in your early learning programs!
In this article, we explore new and classic ways to collaborate with libraries and WIC programs to support families in our early learning programs.
Part 1: Libraries
Libraries provide free and easy access to information, ideas, books, and technology with the purpose of enriching, educating, and empowering communities!
Did you know there are over 35 library systems in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas? Click here to locate your local library system! Many libraries have expanded to offer more modern services? Offerings like technology check out options, a wide variety of virtual & in-person classes, health services, and maker spaces (public spaces to share creative interests and tinker with tech) have popped up in many libraries.
In fact, as the Pew Research Center shares, more and more people are becoming “lifelong learners” and seek trustworthy information from libraries to do so! Lee Rainie, director of internet and technology research with the center, shared in 2018 that many libraries have been moving in a new direction, including these shifts highlighted in the graphic below:
Check out this infographic below for more information about what many libraries are offering nowadays!
Click here to download this infographic!
Let’s take it a step further and hear directly from a librarian! Watch the video below as Socorro Pacheco, a Children’s Librarian from Downey City Library, enthusiastically shares about all that her library offers for community members. She goes on to invite your early learning programs to connect with your local library in a few ways.
6 Ways Our Early Learning Programs Can Collaborate with Libraries:
1. Say hi! As Socorro shared in the video above, introduce yourself to your local library to establish a connection and simply make this community partner aware of your early learning program.
2. Feature upcoming local library events in your bulletin board announcements, newsletters, messages sent home, program website/social media page, family group chats, etc. on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Whatever time frame works for you!
3. Connect families with specific library resources and services from your local branch, based on the need or desire each family is experiencing.
4. Partner with your local library to host an event or workshop. You can reserve a meeting space for your families or collaborate with your local library for a specific event geared toward the families in your program!
5. Organize a field trip to your local library for your young learners to explore, inviting family members to help chaperone (and helping them see what is available what libraries offer as well!).
6. Promote your program by sharing flyers, business cards, or brochures with your local libraries to recruit new families for your early learning program!
Libraries are great choices for children and families we work with as they offer a wide variety of media and events to reach community members Our programs can act as a bridge between families and libraries, helping families feel more connected in their village!
Part 2: Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Programs
Based on 2021 research from Feeding America, in California and the U.S., around 1 in 7 children live in households without the resources for consistent, dependable access to enough food for all household members to enjoy active, healthy lives. Knowing how concrete supports, like foodbanks and WIC, help families’ wellbeing, we can connect families to local community organizations to help them meet their basic nutritional needs. One widely available program is WIC. Let’s explore what WIC programs are and what they have to offer!
What is WIC? What does WIC offer?
WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children that provides low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children with free nutritious foods, nutrition classes and counseling, breastfeeding support, family resources and improved access to health care.
As the Food Research & Action Center shares, WIC’s efforts seek to prevent nutrition-related health problems in pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood.
• How can family members sign up or find more information?
Many programs offer sign up and renewal benefits by phone, video, online or in-person at a local WIC office, including a texting option to schedule appointments.
•How are the food benefits offered?
Food benefits are loaded on an electronic debit card each month that can be used to shop at grocery stores that accept WIC.
• How does one qualify?
To qualify for WIC benefits, you must be pregnant or have been pregnant in the last 6 months or be a caretaker of a child under 5 years old. Foster parents, dads, and caretakers are welcome to apply for their children. WIC is for low-income families. If you receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or food stamps, you meet the WIC income guidelines.
• What other types of classes, events, and supports does WIC offer?
Explore this infographic below for a snapshot of WIC’s events, support groups, classes, and resources! Share this infographic with families in your program, with physical print outs or virtual messages!
Click here to download this infographic!
For more information, click here to learn the specifics of what your local WIC offers and how to apply. For instance, Crenshaw’s WIC location launched CinnaMoms Crenshaw. Their location is “committed to Black Motherhood. CinnaMoms Crenshaw offers a cultural space that that promotes empowerment and self-transformation for Black/African American women.”
NOTE: Your local WIC may have additional unique offerings! Visit or call your local WIC to find out more.
6 Ways Our Early Learning Programs Can Collaborate with WIC:
Whether or not your early learning program wants to begin connecting families with WIC resources and services, you can collaborate with your local WIC branch, or a mix of both – here are some approaches for you!
1. Share information including flyers, videos, brochures, contact information, etc. – particularly with specific local WIC program details – with families in your program.
2. Feature upcoming local WIC events in your bulletin board announcements, newsletters, messages sent home, program website/social media page, family group chats, etc. on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Whatever time frame works for you!
3. Invite a WIC staff member to your program to offer a short 15-minute in-person or virtual informational session covering resources with families.
4. Provide specific resources like articles, guidelines, etc. for any of the topics mentioned in the infographic above, personalized based on the topic or situation a family is requesting.
5. Coordinate a “Provider Fair” with WIC and other local organizations like a library, clinic, mental health organization, housing organization, etc. to bring local supports directly to families in your program!
6. Promote your program by sharing flyers, business cards, or brochures with your local WIC to recruit new families for your early learning program!
WIC has expanded their offerings over time for a more wrap around approach to support families’ wellbeing. Let’s support their efforts and families by strengthening families’ awareness of what is possible with WIC!
The more connected we are to our local community, our sense of belonging increases – particularly when it comes to feeling supported, receiving care & resources, and managing our stress levels. As early learning professionals, our programs have a unique opportunity to act as “bridges” between the families we work with and a wide variety of family-oriented organizations in our community! QSLA encourages you to explore and share these resources & services with families in hopes of continuing to strengthen our villages.
Resources:
• Click here to explore the offerings of your local WIC program here!
• With over 35 library systems in Los Angeles County, we have many options to pick from.
Click here to locate your local library system!
Check out some of the many activities these library systems have to offer:
