Company Profile
Company Overview
In the first 5 years of a child's life, critical brain connections are made that shape lifelong learning. Incredibly, by age 3, a child's brain has grown to 80 percent of that of an adult. How we nurture and support our children today will impact their success in school and in life.
This research helped propel the passage of Proposition 10 in 1998. Proposition 10 is a statewide initiative that provides a dedicated source of funding for programs serving children from the prenatal stage through age 5 and their families. This voter approved proposition adds a 50-cent per pack tax to all tobacco products. Funds are collected statewide and distributed to each county based upon annual birthrates. First 5 Monterey County was established in 1999 and is the independent public agency responsible for administering Proposition 10 funds in Monterey County and is governed by a board of Commissioners.
Each First 5 is responsible for conducting a strategic planning process to identify the needs and strengths of their counties. In 2016, we implemented a strategic planning process to help best define our position in the early childhood development community. From this, our overarching strategic framework emerged, including: updated vision and mission statements, guiding principles, impact areas and goals; and strategic priorities to guide our work into the future.
Our Vision
All children reach their unique potential in a family and community that values, respects, and invests in early childhood.
Our Mission
We enrich the lives of children, prenatal through age five, and their families by strengthening connections and advancing quality within a whole system of care and support.
Guiding Principles
Equity Focused • Systems Innovators • Relationship Based • Reflective • Good Stewards
Company History
Positive relationships are central to the healthy development of a child. Parents, extended family, caregivers, and child care providers, to name a few, all play pivotal roles in helping to prepare young children for lifelong learning. This also extends to the broader community where policies and laws can help influence and support young children and their families.
With this in mind, our work is focused within five Core Roles to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families. Through these roles, we work to diversify and increase funding for early childhood development; enhance access to resources, programs, and services for young children and their families through community-based coordination, collaboration, and integration; and inform, inspire, and facilitate the adoption of practices countywide and policies at the local, state and national levels that support early childhood development.
Learn More About Our Work
• Services for Families
• Funding the work through Integrated Service Collaboratives
• Capacity Building and Professional Development
• Policy and Advocacy
• Working as a Champion for Early Childhood
• Sponsorship
• Impact, Evaluating Progress and Change
Benefits
First 5 Monterey County offers an competitive compensation and benefits package, including includes medical, dental, vision care, company paid life insurance, generous paid time off, and a retirement plan that includes an employer contribution.