Monterey County Families & Children Articles

SALINAS VALLEY — It has been an especially busy start to the New Year at Salinas Valley Health, with four baby deliveries by early morning, including the first baby born in Monterey County in 2025.

KING CITY — The spirit of Christmas was alive and well earlier this month at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, as nearly 600 families from South Monterey County gathered for the annual Operation Santa event.

Moving can be a distressing event in any kid’s life, especially if they are experiencing neglect or abuse. Having a steady presence in their life while navigating the court system and an uncertain future can have a positive lifelong impact.

Of the more than 200 youth centers that crooner and movie star Bing Crosby – and founder of the original Pebble Beach golf tournament – opened across the country to provide activities for pre-teens and teens, only one remains, the…

GONZALES — Hundreds of families recently flocked to Central Park in Gonzales to experience Community Health Day presented by Salinas Valley Health.

Helen Diallo knows both the joy and the pain of the childbirth experience. The Monterey resident has experienced four pregnancies in Monterey County, one of which ended in a miscarriage. “I understand the fear, dread and anxiety that mothers can…

SALINAS — Coastal Kids Home Care marked a significant milestone on Aug. 25, celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Touch-A-Truck event.

The state of California is trying to transform the education system beyond classroom instruction to make it more accessible for parents to get information they need to support students. One effort is to close the gap between educators and parents,…

If you think about it, Monterey County is a microcosm of California. It features some of the state’s major environmental features: ocean, mountains and fertile soils. The combination contributes to the state’s biggest industries, agriculture and tourism. And like California,…

KING CITY — Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren recently presented checks appropriated by Congress for two community projects totaling $1.1 million that will help create an electric vehicle charging station and Family Justice Center in King City.

GONZALES — Gonzales residents gathered at Central Park for consecutive Sunday celebrations with Dia del Niño (Day of the Child) followed by Cinco de Mayo (May 5).

JOLON — More than 150 children ages 2-15 registered in Fort Hunter Liggett’s (FHL) 22nd annual Youth Fishing Derby last Saturday at the Del Venturi Reservoir.

A bill from a member of the Legislature’s happiness committee would require schools to come up with homework policies that consider the mental and physical strain on students.

The state is considering zeroing out funds for CalWORKS family stabilization and job subsidy programs to help balance the budget.

More frequent outdoor breaks can improve student attention, reduce behavior problems. Over the last decade, a growing list of U.S. states—including Missouri, Florida and New Jersey—have mandated daily recess. California joined the trend in late 2023.

SALINAS VALLEY — Vista Verde Middle School in Greenfield recently hosted a community network meeting aimed at fostering a nurturing and safe environment for local youth, families and communities across South Monterey County.

Home to the state capital, Sacramento County offers many amusements for visitors and locals alike. But only some require no cash outlay.

Lawmakers in California and other states are now making attempts to prevent the reported harms to children caused by social media platforms. The U.S. Senate got into the act as well, at a dramatic Jan. 31 hearing.