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First 5 Children and Families Commission
First 5 Strategic Plan 2021-2024
First 5 Mariposa County, also known as the Children and Families Commission, Mariposa County, was created in 1999. The actions of the Commission are guided by the needs of Mariposa children and families. The vision and mission as outlined in the strategic plan serve as a roadmap for achieving successful outcomes for children and their families in Mariposa.
Goals
First 5 aims to:
- Determine how to expand local First 5 resources
- Develop a strategic plan that describes how the community needs will be addressed
- Evaluate the current and projected needs of young children and their families
- Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and activities funded in accordance with the strategic plan
About the First 5 Commission
The ultimate goal is to enhance the health and early growth experiences of children, enabling them to be more successful in school and to give them a better opportunity to succeed in life.
How the Commission Works
The Commission has a role as a community partner working with agencies and organizations for the benefit of children. In addition, there is a focus is on promoting community support for your children and their families. Third, the commission is a community organizer who works to assist organizations and agencies with common goals in providing services to children 0 to 5 years-of-age.
What the First 5 Commission Does
The Commission distributes the revenues from Prop 10 and provides leadership in the community to increase support for young children and families. The First 5 grant program provides opportunities for organizations and agencies to provide services to children and families in health care, preschool, other related services.
Commission Connections
The Commission provides services, activities, and programs to move the community towards the following results:
- Children will be mentally and physically healthy.
- Children will be ready for school.
- Families will have the knowledge and ability to promote their children's development.
- Services will be culturally appropriate, integrated, and collaborative.
Funding Opportunities
The Commission is considering various community grants for the 2022 – 2023 fiscal year. Details will be provided in the summer of 2022.
School Readiness
The first five years of life are critical to a child's development. These years shape a child's success in school and in life. First 5 Mariposa provides parents with literacy, nutritional and kindergarten readiness training. The Commission is committed to the vision that all Mariposa children will enter kindergarten "Ready to Succeed."
Community Outreach
The Commission provides books, activities, national Child ID kits, and other educational games and prizes at the Mariposa Safe at Home Fair and other community festivals and fairs.
HANDS ON HEROES
The Hands on Heroes program for Mariposa County looks to acknowledge those individuals in the community who go above and beyond in supporting children in our county in ways that make us appreciate them and want to recognize them during the Week of the Young Child. These individuals work tirelessly and bravely to overcome everyday challenges and are seldom acknowledged for their work. These unsung heroes are directly making a difference in the lives of children 0 to 5 years-of-age.
First 5 Mariposa County would like to recognize unsung “heroes” by submitting their names to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors for special recognition and a certificate of accomplishment and appreciation. They are child care providers, health and dental providers, preschool teachers, and volunteers who are working every day to serve and care for the children of Mariposa County. The Commission would like to thank these folks for their efforts and affection for children.
While COVID-19 paused this program for the last 2 years, the Commission is looking forward to restarting it in April 2023.