Plumas Rural Services, Inc.

09/03/2026

***Parenting Article of the Week***

✨ The little moments are often the ones that shape a childhood.

A kind word. A warm hug. Listening when they want to talk. Laughing together. Setting loving boundaries. Being present, even when life feels busy.

We don’t have to get parenting perfect. We just have to keep showing up with love. ❤️

Because the small things we do every day can become the big things our children remember forever.

Check out the article at: https://www.parents.com/small-parenting-habits-to-raise-happy-kids-11922045

PRS and First 5 Plumas have teamed up to provide online parenting education and support for families with children 0-5. Also, we will be sharing different articles weekly on parenting and providing text and one-on-one parenting support during the course.

To sign up for the videos, go to https://plumasruralservices.org/mindful-parenting-registration Watch from home on your own schedule. Plumas County parents who complete the 8 sessions are eligible for incentives!

Some of our all-time favorite parenting tips in one place for you.

09/02/2026

***Staff Spotlight***

Debbie Shirk-McFarland grew up in Sacramento, then lived in Monterey, before eventually moving to Genesee in 1993. Her family had lived in Plumas County for over 100 years. Her great-grandmother, Mary Penman, came over in a covered wagon originally, and her great-great-uncle, George Penman, was an original settler of Mohawk Valley.

Debbie joined PRS in 1996 with the Child Care Resource & Referral program while she worked on an Early Childhood Education certificate. After several years in that program, she moved to the Fiscal Department. In 2011, Debbie moved into the Fiscal Officer role, leading the fiscal operations of the agency ever since.

“I appreciate that what I do helps provide vital services in the community, ensuring these programs continue to be available.”

One of the best parts of Debbie’s job is that she helps the programs at PRS survive and thrive. “I enjoy working with the employees here,” she says. “I can help them get the most out of their programs, problem-solving so they can best serve their clients with what their actual needs are.”

When Debbie isn’t working, she can be found volunteering with her church and with the Assemblies of God camp in Mineral. She loves being in and around water, traveling, and spending time with her dogs, Bonnie and Bruce, who are very talkative.

09/01/2026

Your breastmilk helps protect your baby from getting sick. You can take these steps to keep feeding breastmilk when you return to work or school.

Step 1: Begin pumping and storing your breastmilk about 2 weeks before you go back to work.

Step 2: Talk to your manager about a schedule so you can pump or breastfeed your baby during your breaks.

Step 3: Practice leaving your baby with your childcare provider before you start back to work to get your baby used to feeding when you are not around.

The “Breastfeeding and Returning to Work or School” handout has even more tips. To read our handout and find a WIC office, visit MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov.

https://docs.wic.ca.gov/Content/Documents/NutritionHealth/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding-and-Returning-to-Work.pdf



Su leche materna ayuda a proteger a su bebé de enfermarse. Puede seguir estos pasos para continuar amamantando cuando regrese al trabajo o a la escuela.

Paso 1. Empiece a sacar y almacenar su leche materna unas dos semanas antes de volver al trabajo.

Paso 2. Hable con su supervisor sobre un horario que le permita sacar leche o amamantar a su bebé durante sus descansos.

Paso 3. Practique dejar a su bebé con un proveedor de cuidado infantil antes de volver al trabajo para que se acostumbre a comer cuando usted no esté presente.

El folleto “Dar pecho y volver al trabajo o a la escuela” contiene aún más consejos. Para leer nuestro folleto y encontrar una oficina de WIC, visite MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov.

https://docs.wic.ca.gov/Content/Documents/NutritionHealth/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding-and-Returning-to-Work.pdf

09/01/2026

During the month of September, PRS’s Domestic Violence Services is hosting a Food Drive for Plumas County kids to shine a light on the link between domestic violence and food insecurity.

Between September 1st and 25th, the public is invited to drop off items such as non perishable microwave foods, individually packaged snacks and drinks, fruit cups, jerky, etc., at any of the following locations:

-PRS Office, 711 E. Main Street (Quincy)
-Feather River Food Co-op(Quincy &
Portola)
-Quincy Grocery Outlet (Quincy)
-Plumas Bank(Quincy & Portola
branches)
-Leonard’s Market (Portola)

Food will be distributed to kids in Plumas County schools during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Cash donations can also support this project. For more information, call 530- 889-8953.

09/01/2026

September at PRS: Supporting Our Community!

This month, we are focusing on three important areas:

-Mental Health & Su***de Prevention: PRS provides community mental health training opportunities and is inviting the community to a Su***de Vigil on September 30 in Quincy.

-Community Support & Service: We are hosting a September food drive for children in Plumas County schools and recognizing employees who have dedicated 25 years or more to serving our communities.

-Family Resources: Check out our list of PRS services that support families across our region.

Check out our newsletter at https://plumasruralservices.org/

08/31/2026

📣 Community Care Licensing Q&A

Plumas County Child care providers—join us for an evening with Carla Fernandes-Goes, Northern California Child Care Advocate, for updates on Community Care Licensing and answers to your licensing questions and concerns.

📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
🕕 6:00–7:30 p.m.
📍 711 E. Main Street, Quincy

🍽️ Dinner will be provided!
🎓 FREE event for child care providers — counts as 1.5 hours of CCIP training.

⚠️ Space is limited! Pre-registration is required by September 21.

📞 To register, call Debbie at 530-283-4453 ext. 824

Come get informed, ask questions, and connect with fellow child care providers! 💚💙

08/27/2026

🌴🎉 END OF SUMMER BINGO! 🎉🌴

Come join The Plumas County People First Chapter for an afternoon of fun, bingo, and raffle prizes! 🎟️🎱

📅 Saturday, August 29th
⏰ 2 PM–4 PM
📍 Dragonfly Cafe — Downtown Quincy
461 Main Street

💵 Bingo cards are just $2 to play!

This is a fundraiser benefiting People First of the Sierra, with all money raised supporting homeless people in Plumas County. 💚

People First of the Sierra chapter is run with support from PRS.

Bring your friends and family—fun for all ages! ☀️
We hope to see you there! 💙

08/27/2026

Honoring Black Breastfeeding Week

Black Breastfeeding Week is August 25–31, 2026! This week we honor the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of Black families on their feeding journeys. This year’s theme, ‘We All We Go: 14 Years of Community, Care, And Collective Power."

To learn more about Black Breastfeeding Week and what events are happening in your area click below!

https://blackbreastfeedingweek.org/

En honor a la Semana de la Lactancia Materna de la Comunidad Negra

¡La Semana de la Lactancia Materna de la Comunidad Negra se celebra del 25 al 31 de agosto de 2026! Esta semana honramos las experiencias, los desafíos y los triunfos únicos de las familias negras en sus procesos de alimentación. El lema de este año es: «Somos todo lo que tenemos: 14 años de comunidad, cuidado y poder colectivo».

¡Haz clic a continuación para obtener más información sobre esta semana y conocer los eventos que se llevarán a cabo en tu zona!