Children and youth
We offer activities and lead cross-sector collaborations that help our children and youth feel stronger, happier, and healthier at school and home.
EARLY LEARNING SERVICES
NIÑOS ACTIVOS/ACTIVE KIDS – EARLY LEARNING PLAYGROUPS
We offer bilingual playgroups for children ages 5 and under and their parents/caregivers. We coordinate developmentally appropriate socialization and learning activities in English/Spanish twice a week in both Calistoga and St. Helena.
These playgroups have a strong early literacy component that has included partnerships with local libraries, the Raising a Reader take-home book bag program (offered in partnership with ChildStart, Inc.), and more.
Drop-ins are welcome. Visit our events calendar for the schedule. For more information, call us or contact Raquel at: rvega@upvalleyfamilycenters.org.
SUMMER Bridges – Kindergarten Readiness
For incoming kindergarteners – We work with Calistoga Joint Unified School District to offer comprehensive school readiness programs over the summer for children entering kindergarten or transitional kindergarten and their parents. Sign-ups start in the Spring. For more information contact Juana at: jnavarro@upvalleyfamilycenters.org
AGES & STAGES – DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS
We offer developmental screenings for children ages 0-6 that pinpoint developmental progress and can catch delays. Screenings can help the family identify supports their child may need for their learning and growth. If you would like more information, please contact Raquel at: rvega@upvalleyfamilycenters.org
Youth Programs and Services
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLES – CALISTOGA ELEMENTARY YOUTH MENTORING
Friendship Circles is a youth mentoring program provided by UpValley Family Centers at Calistoga Elementary School to help youth build positive identities and social connections. Some of the topics include Nourishing Relationships and Connections, Fostering Community, Empowering Youth, and Promoting Wellness. Friendship circles are hosted co-ed on campus during the lunch break through weekly group/individual sessions led by our youth program specialist, Juana Navarro. If you have any questions please contact Juana at: jnvarro@upvalleyfamilycenters.org
CLARO/CLARA – YOUTH MENTORING
We offer culturally-based youth development activities through weekly group sessions led by positive role models on middle and high school campuses in both Calistoga and St. Helena. CLARO/CLARA mentorship groups are run in English and/or Spanish and provide teens with activities that increase their wellbeing, foster stronger school engagement, and remove barriers to higher education or career goals. For more information contact Karina at: ksolis@upvalleyfamilycenters.org
Volunteer and Community Engagement Opportunities
We offer leadership and community service opportunities for teens through our youth mentoring program. Please contact our Youth Program Coordinators for more information of how to get involved.
SHINE
SHINE (Student Health Improvement through Nonprofit Excellence) is a collaboration between Napa Valley Education Foundation, Aldea Children & Family Services, Mentis, On the Move, and UpValley Family Centers. SHINE works to increase access to care and ensure that every student in Napa County who needs support can get it for free in a space that feels safe to them. Together, we provide essential services and support that help students live happy and healthy lives through these five impact strategies:
#1. Expand Access – Provide mental health access to students with a focus on rural and underserved communities.
#2. Raise Awareness – Use student voice to raise awareness around youth mental health needs and increase access to resources and services.
#3. Develop Safe Spaces – Continue development of wellness hubs where services can be accessed within schools, agencies, or on the go.
#4. Recover from Trauma – Provide training to educators and families to strengthen ability to recover from and respond to trauma.
#5. Maximize Impact – Systematically address the issue by collaborating under one umbrella to increase impact within our community.
Up Valley Partnership for Youth
The UpValley Partnership for Youth is a broad coalition of community stakeholders, including parents, policy makers, law enforcement, service providers, youth, educators, and community members, who work together to address the problem of underage drinking and substance use in our community.
Calistoga Community Schools Initiative
The Calistoga Community Schools Initiative (CCSI) is a collective impact model for serving students and their families, with local schools being a crucial community hub for offering services. In partnership with the Calistoga Joint Unified School District, UVFC serves as the backbone organization, coordinating 36 partner agencies and leveraging over $3M in services annually for students and families.
CCSI’s mission is to engage students and families in meaningful learning opportunities to prepare them for a better future through collaborative partnerships that increase access to resources, leading to stronger families and a healthier community. The vision of CCSI is that all Calistoga students will be lifelong learners, equipped with the skills to find success in life and to make a positive impact on the world around them.