Title
a. Accept the 2011-2012 Annual Report of First 5 Monterey County (a.k.a. The Monterey County Children and Families Commission); and
b. Adopt a Resolution declaring 2013 the Year of the Child.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept the 2011-2012 Annual Report of First 5 Monterey County (a.k.a. The Monterey County Children and Families Commission); and
b. Adopt a Resolution declaring 2013 the Year of the Child.
SUMMARY:
The 2011/12 Annual Report provides an overview of the outcomes of First 5 Monterey County (F5MC) in the areas of improved child development and health, improved family functioning, and improved child care quality. This report serves as the FY 2011/12 Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors as required by Ordinance Number 05034.
The resolution declaring 2013 the year of the child carries forward work from our local community over the past year highlighting the importance of young children and support for early childhood development and is modeled on a similar resolution adopted by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Board of Directors.
DISCUSSION:
First 5 Monterey County (F5MC) was established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1999, as a result of California voters passing Proposition 10 in 1998. Proposition 10 - The California Children and Families Act - levied a 50-cent per pack tax on tobacco products. The monies collected statewide are earmarked for programs and services benefiting children from the prenatal stage through age 5. The F5MC Commission is charged with ensuring that Proposition10 revenues are directed toward programs that will make a difference in the lives of young children living in Monterey County. Priorities for funding F5MC projects are decided locally with direct input from community organizations and community members. Research shows that community investments in programs serving families with young children yield the greatest financial and social benefits.
The Annual Report serves to demonstrate the impact on over 38,700 children, parents/caregivers, and child care providers served by F5MC's twenty-eight funded agencies and in numerous sponsored community events. During FY 2011/12, F5MC invested more than $6.5 million to support community partnerships and agencies helping to enhance the lives of young children and their families throughout Monterey County.
F5MC funded programs target families that are most in need throughout the County. Of the families served in F5MC programs, 70% have incomes of under $30,000 per year. This percentage is significantly greater than the percentage of families with children under 5 in the general population of Monterey County -- 25% of whom have incomes of under $30,000 per year. Further, the population served by F5MC has a lower educational attainment level than the general Monterey County population. Of parents participating in F5MC programs, 59% have less than a high school education as compared to 31% of adults in the general Monterey County population.
Evaluations conducted by an independent evaluator indicate that participants in F5MC funded programs are experiencing positive results since they began participating in one or more programs and that the funded programs are having positive impacts for children and families. The numbers in parenthesis indicate the increase after one year of participation:
Programs Involving Parents and/or Parents and Children
· 86% of parents read to their young child three or more times per week (an increase of 9%)
· 83% of children visited a dentist or dental hygienist in the past year (an increase of 21% and 7% higher than the Monterey County average and 13% higher than the State average)
· 100% of parents played counting games with their child within the past week (an increase of 21%)
· 100% of parents talked with their child about what happened in the child's preschool or early education program within the past week (an increase of 41%)
· 100% of parents sung to or played music for their child within the past week (an increase of 10%)
· 90% of parents report increased knowledge of how their child is growing and developing
Programs Involving Early Educators Participating in Technical Assistance Projects
· 75% of early education teachers report "a lot" of progress in planning their curriculum
Programs for Children with Special Needs - Summer Bridge Program
· 97% of children showed increased readiness for school by the end of the program.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
In FY 2011/12 First 5 Monterey County collaborated with and funded a variety of County and community-based agencies and organizations. Commissioners include representatives from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Monterey County Health Department and Monterey County Department of Social Services and four community representatives. Community representatives include from early childhood educators and providers of services to children who have experienced trauma.
FINANCING:
There are no fiscal implications connected to receiving and accepting this Annual Report.
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, 4434
Attachments:
Resolution Proclaiming 2013 as "The Year of the Child",
Template for Boards, Committees, Commissions & Collaboratives (BCCC) Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors
Original on File with the Clerk of the Board