Title
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on the Monterey County Children's Council Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Report from Council Chair Jose Ramirez, Chief Probation Officer; and
b. Accept the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Report from the Monterey County Children's Council.
Report
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on the Monterey County Children's Council Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual
Report from Council Chair Jose Ramirez, Chief Probation Officer; and
b. Accept the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Report from the Monterey County Children's Council.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Annual Report provides the community with an update on Children's Council initiatives, goals and accomplishments from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. It also provides the community with data on select indicators related to child and youth well-being with the intent that it will help guide informed decision-making processes regarding policy issues, volunteer efforts, and supports for organizations serving children and youth in Monterey County.
The Children's Council provides leadership and policy direction to encourage the development of a comprehensive and collaborative delivery system of services to children and youth in Monterey County. Initiatives that were started by the Children's Council include Community Alliance for Safety and Peace, All Kids, Our Kids, and Child Welfare Redesign, all of which have been sustained and are integral operating activities within existing entities in our County.
The oral presentation will provide an overview of the Children's Council and a profile of Monterey County children and youth with select indicators in birth to 18 years of age, birth to five years of age, and six to 18 years of age being highlighted. Additionally, it will provide an update on the early childhood development initiative Comienzos Brillantes/ Bright Beginnings.
Comienzos Brillantes/ Bright Beginnings, previously known as Early Childhood Development Initiative (ECDI), was renamed to align more closely with Bright Futures, the cradle-to-career initiative anchored at California State University at Monterey Bay. Bright Beginnings aims to maximize community efforts to improve early childhood development outcomes through effective coordination, capacity building, empowerment. and strategic action for children from the prenatal stage through 3rd grade and their families.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 strategic plan initiatives: 1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention; and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, and quality health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Monterey County Children's Council is composed of 28 members from county, city, school, and community-based organizations and includes elected officials, department heads, superintendents, and community members.
FINANCING:
There are no costs associated with this receipt of presentation or acceptance of this report.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the following Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
Diverse and Thriving Economy
Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Wendi Reed, Management Analyst III, ext. 3985
Approved by: Jose Ramirez, Chief Probation Officer, ext. 3913
Attachments:
Monterey County Children's Council FY 2024-25 Annual Report
Executive Summary
Bright Beginnings Annual Report Presentation
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board