Welcome to
First 5 Santa Barbara County

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.  

Potter the Otter Loves to Drink Water

Potter the Otter w/colored background 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! 

Kindergarten Student Entrance Profile (KSEP)

The transition into kindergarten is important because it sets the foundation for future academic achievement. Identifying a child’s readiness at school entry and intervening appropriately facilitates positive academic outcomes. The Kindergarten Student Entrance Profile (KSEP) was developed and evaluated over six years as part of a school, community, and university action research collaboration involving the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, First 5 of Santa Barbara County, and the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at the University of California Santa Barbara. Read More 

Looking for Children's Health Insurance?

Many parents do not have health insurance available through their employer and their children may qualify for the subsidized state health insurance programs of Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or Healthy Kids.  Public health insurance products such as Medi-Cal/Healthy Families/Healthy Kids are comprehensive insurance plans.  They cover medical-related costs as well as offer a vision and dental plan Click here for more information.

NEWS & EVENTS

Training Opportunity- ASQ:SE

Get  start to finish guidance on using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® Social Emotional (ASQ:SE) to screen infants and young children for social emotional concerns during the crucial first 5 years of life.  This training will familiarize users with the ASQ:SE that will enhance screening and monitoring efforts with young children.

To register click here 

Santa Barbara County 2010 Children's Scorecard Released

The KIDS Network is proud to announce the release of the 2010 Santa Barbara County Children's Scorecard, a comprehensive summary of data related to children's well-being. The report is intended to paint an objective, fact-based picture of how children are faring in the areas of safety, health and education.


To read the comprehensive summary click here 

Take a look at the School Readiness Miniseries videos on the Kindergarten Student Entrance Profile (KSEP)

For more information click here.

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