Initiative & Partnerships

School Readiness

Vision:
All children enter kindergarten as healthy and active learners. Parents understand the central role that they play in their child's education, health and development and feel supported to create and strengthen these essential foundations.

Background:
First 5 California Children funds this 4-year School Readiness Initiative aimed at engaging families, community members, and educators to prepare children birth to age five for school. School readiness efforts focus on communities with low-performing schools as measured by Academic Performance Index. First 5 California funding is matched by First 5 Santa Barbara County to create comprehensive programs for children and families.

Partners:
Santa Barbara County has fourteen elementary schools that qualified for participation in the School Readiness Initiative. First 5 Santa Barbara County is working closely with these school communities in Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta and Santa Barbara to develop and enhance services that promote school readiness.

Services:
Each School Readiness project is uniquely designed to meet local needs. The projects provide, or link to programs that provide:

Early learning and kindergarten transition programs
Parenting education and family support services
Health screenings and treatment
A communication bridge between early care settings and elementary schools

Contact Information:
First 5 School Readiness Office: (805) 884-8090
Guadalupe- Guadalupe Union School District: (805) 343-1194
Goleta- IV Youth Projects: (805) 968-0488
Lompoc Unified School District/
Santa Barbara County Ed. Office: (805) 964-4711 x4409
Santa Barbara School District: (805) 965-4633 x 266
Santa Maria Bonita School District: (805) 361-8221

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Family Support Initiative

Vision:
Families are part of caring communities that put children and families first and ensure that all families and children have what they need to succeed.

Description:
The Family Support Initiative is a network of community-based family support programs in the county that provide services and links to services that help families learn about the resources within their communities. The Initiative supports families to be emotionally healthy, to provide safe and nurturing environments for their children and to participate in their child's early learning.

Services:
The partners in the Family Support Initiative provide a range of services and links to services for families that can include: case management, health insurance enrollment and service, counseling services, food and housing assistance, early literacy, adult literacy and child care. In addition, a 24-hour phone line, 2-1-1, is now available to provide families with information and referrals to all human services in the county.

Funded Partner Contact Information:
DSS-Kids Network Cuyama Family Resource Center: (805) 346-8222 / 345-1961
Family Service Agency CRIS Information Line (2-1-1): (805) 965-1001
Guadalupe Union School District Healthy Start: (805) 343-1194
Isla Vista Youth Projects: (805) 968-0488
Lompoc Unified School District Healthy Start: (805) 736-6166
Santa Barbara School District Healthy Start: (805) 687-0761 ext.302
Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People-Santa Ynez: (805) 688-2880
Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People-Los Alamos: (805) 344-3172
Santa Barbara County Office of Education Health Linkages: (805) 964-4710 ext.4455
Santa Maria School District Healthy Start : (805) 346-8551

Family Support Implementation Plan
Family Support Sustainability Plan

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