All children deserve the best start in life. In the first 5 years of a child's life, critical connections are made in the brain that impact lifelong learning.
How we nurture and support our children today will impact their success in school and in life.
First 5 Santa Barbara County Children and Families Commission works in partnership with individuals and organizations throughout the county, to support the health, early learning and well-being of children pre-natal through age 5 and their families.
Join the Strategic Planning Process, We Value Your Input
Each year, the Santa Barbara County First 5 Commission receives roughly $4 million from sales taxes on tobacco products. The First 5 Commission decides how to spend these tax dollars in Santa Barbara County through a public process and the funds are only supposed to be used for programs and services that support 0-5 year olds and their families.
In recent years, tobacco sales tax revenues have declined as fewer people smoke. As a result, First 5 must spend less and reduce its annual budget in the years ahead. To help guide its challenging work in the future, the First 5 Commission is drafting a new strategic plan. Hearing from families and communities throughout Santa Barbara County will help ensure that our investments lead to the most positive impact in children’s lives.
We ask that parents of prenatal to 5 year olds and members of the community help the strategic planning process by responding to one of the survey (links provided below). We greatly appreciate your input. Your individual response to this survey will be kept completely confidential. Your options to complete the survey are the following:
In the coming months you will be receiving materials and electronic communications with opportunities to provide input and learn how you and others may best get involved.
We would greatly appreciate your participation and assistance in this effort. To get involved and receive material and electronic communications, sign up here.
Sincerely,
Ben Romo
New from NAEYC! The For Families Website
NAEYC has a new website! The For Families site includes a wealth of information about children’s learning and development, what to look for in a child care program, and why NAEYC Accreditation is the right choice for families. This is a useful and engaging resource for parents. For more information, visit www.families.naeyc.org
Potter the Otter Loves to Drink Water
Potter loves water and wants you and your family to love water too!
Did you know that cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages can help your family stay healthy? Drinking water instead of sugary beverages can help prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes in both children and adults.
This season, take the ReThink Your Drink Pledge and spread the message about the health benefits of water, and follow Potter the Otter's adventure as he spreads the word to his friends!
Click Here to order your FREE copy of Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water
Visit the newly redesigned and kid friendly Potter website at www.potterloveswater.com
Drink water for thrist and you should know Water is healthy it helps you grow!
A Quality Rating & Improvement System for Child Care Programs
Santa Barbara County is one of 16 counties taking part in California's Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant to increase the number of high quality early learning programs in California. To find out more, and to give us your input, click here.