Our Vision of Success
Healthy, Happy and Well-Prepared Children. Thriving Families. Connected Communities. Equitable Systems.
We're on a Mission
To ensure early childhood systems and supports foster equitable health, development and well-being for all young children and their families in Santa Cruz County.
Our Values and Guiding Principles
Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community: We understand that young children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development are interdependent, and that children grow and learn within their family relationships and the larger community.
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Equity: We seek out and amplify the voices of families with young children, prenatal to 5. We prioritize efforts that are responsive to the needs of our diverse community. We identify and work toward eliminating barriers to well-being based on race, ethnicity, income, and other characteristics.
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Strategic Impact: We invest our time and resources in areas that support our strategic priorities, show evidence of effectiveness, and address root causes of inequities.
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Stewardship: We partner with public, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations to make the best use of our resources for the benefit of children and families.
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Integration: We work with our partners to break down silos, ensure services are accessible and comprehensive, and increase shared responsibility and accountability.
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Strengths-based: We identify and enhance existing community strengths. We build organizational and systemwide capacity to influence meaningful and lasting changes.
The Importance of Investing in Early Childhood
The first five years of a child’s life, starting prenatally, are crucial for lifelong well-being and flourishing. Ninety percent of brain development happens before age 5, which means a child’s relationships, experiences, and environments in the earliest years matter profoundly.
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“What happens as a child shapes the adult and the rest of society.”
- First 5 Association of California
Scientists and economists, such as Nobel Laureate James Heckman, have proven that investing in early childhood pays off, and the earlier the investment, the greater the return. Investing in high-quality early childhood programs, particularly for children and families facing the greatest barriers to well-being, can deliver a 13% return on investment. Learn more about The Heckman Equation
Yet, we also know the early childhood system was not built for everyone to thrive. Health, education, and social service systems are siloed, inadequately funded, and often designed to exclude children and families who already face the greatest barriers accessing the resources and opportunities that foster well-being. This is why First 5 remains a committed steward of Proposition 10 revenue.
Our Commission and staff invest these public funds in early childhood systems and supports that benefit all young children and their families in Santa Cruz County, particularly those who are excluded from opportunity based on income, language, immigration status, race or ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other social identities. We are proud of our track record as an innovative, data-driven, and community-centered partner and leader, as shown on our Community Dashboard.
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