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Champions for NorCal KidsAuthor: Wendy Dickens and Heidi Mendenhall
Join 0-5 experts, rural county lovers and First 5 Executive Directors Wendy (Shasta) and Heidi (Tehama) as they showcase local 0-5 resources, tell the amazing stories of our North-state champions for children and unpack how we can continue to make a difference for young children and families. Be prepared to laugh, learn and feel inspired by your community. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From AI to Hopeville: Why Rural Literacy Is Still a Human Story
Thursday, 5 February, 2026
In a world racing from AI to algorithms, this episode of Champions for NorCal Kids reminds us that literacy still starts somewhere much more familiar: homes, classrooms, libraries, and small towns.We sit down with Kathy Garcia, Executive Director of Expect More Tehama, to talk honestly about the raw data behind literacy outcomes, the challenges rural communities face, and the better side of rural work that doesn’t always make headlines: deep relationships, shared responsibility, and communities that refuse to give up on their kids.This conversation connects Tehama County’s literacy movement to the broader North State, showing how local action, aligned systems, and committed partners can shift outcomes. Not with hype, but with heart, strategy, and persistence.Because in rural communities, literacy isn’t a trend... It’s a promise.
