Title
a. Accept the 2012-2013 Annual Report of First 5 Monterey County (a.k.a. The Monterey County Children and Families Commission); and
b. Adopt a Resolution honoring 15 years of First 5 Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept the 2012-2013 Annual Report of First 5 Monterey County (a.k.a. The Monterey County Children and Families Commission); and
b. Adopt a Resolution honoring 15 years of First 5 Monterey County and the investments in improving the lives of children ages 0-5.
SUMMARY:
The 2012/13 Annual Report provides an overview of the outcomes of First 5 Monterey County (F5MC) in the areas of child development, mental health, family functioning, and child care quality.
The resolution honoring 15 Years for Children carries forward work from our local community over the past 15 years highlighting the importance of young children and support for early childhood development.
DISCUSSION:
First 5 Monterey County (F5MC) was established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on December 8, 1998, as a result of California voters passing Proposition 10 on November 3, 1998. Proposition 10 - The California Children and Families First 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 40,244 children, parents/caregivers, and child care providers served by F5MC's twenty-eight funded agencies and in numerous sponsored community events. During FY 2012/13, F5MC invested more than $6.8 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, 80% live on incomes below the Federal poverty line. This percentage is significantly greater than the percentage of families with children under 5 in the general population with incomes below the poverty line -- which is 34%. Further, the population served by F5MC has a lower educational attainment level than the general Monterey County population. Of parents participating in F5MC programs, 65% have less than a high school education as compared to that of mothers giving birth in the general population -- which is 38%.
Programs Involving Parents and/or Parents and Children
· 60% of F5MC parents read to their young child daily: only 46% of a comparison group of similar low-income, non-F5MC funded families reads daily to their children.
· 60% of F5MC children attended preschool, as compared to 55% of families in the comparison group.
· 19% of children who participated in F5MC funded services were more likely to have achieved optimal mastery of developmental competency before entering kindergarten, compared to 13% for the comparison group.
The Board is also being asked to recognize First 5 Monterey County for 15 years of service to the children and families in the County. Over the last 15 years, First 5 Monterey County has invested more than $81 million and supported more than 400,000 community members to create effective and essential services that help Monterey County's youngest residents grow up healthy, nurtured, and ready to succeed. These commitments have improved the odds for children and families who would otherwise not have access to supports. This investment in California's youngest children - and in its future - has made First 5 the most significant and effective funder of early childhood development programs in the state. While evaluations show that those children that were able to participate in programs supported by First 5 Monterey County have fared better than their peers, many children were not able to participate and there is still much work to do. Therefore, it is being asked that the Board recognize, by way of the attached resolution, the work that has already occurred in this area and express its support for expanding efforts to provide our children with solid foundations and strong futures.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
In FY 2012/13 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 organizations providing parenting development activities, early childhood educators and providers of services to children who have experienced trauma and toxic stress.
FINANCING:
There are no fiscal implications connected to receiving and accepting this Annual Report.
Prepared by: Elliott Robinson, Director x 4434
Attachments:
Resolution honoring "15 years of First 5 Monterey County",
County of Monterey Template for Boards, Committees & Collaboratives (BCCC) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2012/13.