Health & Wellness Newsletter – Staying Healthy this Holiday Season!
December 19, 2023
Welcome to the final Health & Wellness newsletter of 2023! Throughout the year, we’ve shared an abundance of resources to support both you and the youth you engage with in your programs and beyond. This impactful work is made possible by the unwavering dedication of our incredibly passionate field. As we conclude this year, we sincerely thank the Expanded Learning community for the fantastic work done every day!
Throughout the year, this field plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of both students and families. From cultivating enriching learning experiences to fostering nurturing environments, practitioners in Expanded Learning consistently go above and beyond to ensure the flourishing of our educational community.
As you embark on the winter break, take a moment to reflect not only on your community but also on your own well-being. Utilize this time for rest, rejuvenation, and preparation for another year of incredible impact!
Remember to prioritize your well-being during this holiday season. Respiratory illnesses such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV tend to spread more easily in the fall and winter. Safeguard yourself and your community by taking preventive measures. Schedule your vaccines at MyTurn.ca.gov, and learn more about respiratory virus protection at go.cdph.ca.gov/respiratory-viruses.
In This Newsletter:
Advancing Health & Wellness with the California Youth Opioid Response
In our November General Newsletter, we announced an exciting partnership with the California Youth Opioid Response (YOR CA). YOR California seeks to strengthen capacity and access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services, as well as access points to Medication-Assisted Treatment, for youth (ages 12-24) and their families.
As our community may know, CAN is committed to promoting health and wellness to youth, parents, and communities in California by providing information, resources, promising practices, and legislation updates to the out-of-school time field.
As a resource hub, CAN is excited to share and promote resources and information with our field in this critical area. Over the next 6 months, we will share information and valuable resources on the importance of Narcan, staff training opportunities, and elevate how Positive Youth Development is crucial prevention work.
CASEL Shifts their Guidance on Adult Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Research indicates that teachers stay when work is meaningful, relationships are collaborative, and a positive workplace culture is present, aligning with the importance of adult SEL. CASEL has updated its Guide to Schoolwide SEL, emphasizing three shifts:
- prioritizing community care,
- making connections a prerequisite for collaboration,
- and recognizing educators as leaders and learners.
Dive deeper into the three shifts on their website.
School-Based Health Centers Increase Attendance
New Research
A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health authored by The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health and partners reveals that students who utilized their school-based health (SBHC) and wellness center exhibited better attendance than those who did not.
FREE Social Emotional Learning Course at UC Berkeley
Spring 2024
Receive the gift of mindfulness this holiday season! UC Berkeley Extension and School of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Sacramento County Office of Education, and California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) CalHOPE Student Support Project, are offering FREE registration for their Social Emotional Learning Foundations course!
This is a 12-week, online graduate-level course, where you will learn about systemic social and emotional learning (SEL) and practical strategies to promote adult well-being and equitable, evidence-based SEL among school-aged children and youth.
To learn more about the course and join the waitlist, fill out this Google form.
*Use priority registration code: F23CDEEXP12
Free CoP: Room to Breathe – California-Based Expanded Learning Educators
January 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PST
Join Greater Good Science Center for Room to Breathe, a FREE virtual Community of Practice for California-based expanded learning educators to envision, experience, and co-create caring, compassionate, equitable, and connected learning communities.
This Community of Practice is a unique opportunity for you to experience greater well-being yourself, as an adult learner in a supportive community of expanded learning educators across California. In four immersive sessions, you will explore the science of well-being, experience evidence-based mindfulness and well-being practices, and find a deeper connection to our work and school communities.
Fees are fully covered for this month-long community of practice provided by the experts at the Greater Good Science Center.
Four sessions on Wednesdays via Zoom: January 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PT).
Family Guide to Supporting Young People’s Mental Health and Well-Being
New Resource!
WestEd has recently released a new comprehensive guide for families to support their child’s mental health entitled Family Guide to Supporting Young People’s Mental Health and Well-Being.
The guide covers topics under the following sections:
- Understanding Mental Health
- What Can Parents and Caregivers Do to Support Their Children’s Mental Wellness?
- Safe Use of Technology and Social Media
- Resources for Families
Supporting Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season
While the holidays bring joy and celebration for some, they can also induce stress, sadness, and loneliness for others, especially for individuals living with mental health and substance use conditions. SAMHSA has compiled strategies and resources that can help with supporting your mental health this holiday season.
Schools are Eligible to Receive FREE Naloxone
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) created the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to combat opioid overdose-related deaths throughout California. The NDP aims to address the opioid crisis by reducing opioid overdose deaths through the provision of free naloxone.
Understanding ACEs and Toxic Stress
The Office of the California Surgeon General has launched an awareness campaign on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. OSG has created two introductory videos on what ACEs are and how to recognize and manage toxic stress:
English:
- Understanding ACEs: What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
- Understanding ACEs: How to Manage Stress
Spanish:
Order COVID-19 Tests for this Holiday Season!
Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order an additional 4 FREE at-home tests.
If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. You can order tests at covid.gov/tests.
Check Out CAN’s Other Newsletters!
Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well: