About Us

Who we are, What we do

Vision

All children reach their full potential in a family and community that values and respects childhood.

Mission

To serve as a catalyst to create sustainable change in systems, policies and practices that enrich the development of children in their FIRST 5 years of life.

Guiding Principles

The Commission is guided by the principles of integrity, honesty and mutual respect towards others and encourages inclusiveness, collaboration and innovation in building an optimal system of support for young children.

The Commission endeavors to support programs that are grounded in the best evidence of what works, that are able to demonstrate positive outcomes and that maximize additional sources of financial support.

MORE ABOUT F5MC

To read more about us please read the following:

2007-2015 Strategic Plan

Currently Funded Partners (FY 2010/11)

First 5 Monterey County's Ordinance No. 5034

First 5 Monterey County's By-Laws

CONTACT INFORMATION
Have a question or need assistance from the staff? Here is how to reach us:

Office

1125 Baldwin Street Salinas, CA 93906

Phone:(831) 444.8549

Fax: (831) 444.8637

Staff
Francine Rodd, Executive Director (831) 444.8549, ext. 20

Programs

Beth Reeves-Fortney, Sr. Program Officer
(831) 444.8549 ext.12

David Dobrowski, Evaluations Officer
(831) 444.8549 ext.17

Kim Stemler, Policy, Advocacy & Communications Manager
(831) 444.8549, ext. 18

Lisa Luis, Program Support
(831) 444.8549, ext. 10

Finance and Operations Ana Duran, Finance Support, (831) 444.8549 ext. 22

Joanna Jensen, Administrative Manager
(831) 444-8549 ext. 19

Manuela Kolpin, Finance/Operations Officer
( 831) 444.8549, ext. 12

Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please contact Kim Stemler or Francine Rodd.

WHO WE ARE

First 5 Monterey County (F5MC), also known as, as the Monterey County Children and Families Commission, was established in 1999 following the passage of Proposition 10, which added a 50 cent tax to all tobacco products. The statewide - collected funds are distributed to each county based on annual birthrates and are earmarked to enhance the lives of children from the prenatal stages through age 5.

F5MC is responsible for receiving and disbursing Monterey County’s Proposition 10 funds and carrying out the implementation of the California Children and Families Act.
The Commission an independent public agency with a staff of ten that is governed by a seven-member board of Commissioners.
F5MC supports community partnerships and programs that enhance the lives of children, from the prenatal stages through age 5, and their families.
F5MC allocates approximately $5-$7 million dollars a year to support local agencies and programs working with young children and their families. Funding recipients are chosen through an application and evaluation process.
Since inception in 1998, the First 5 Monterey County Commission has touched more then 250,000 lives and invested more than $64 million in providing services to children 0-5 and their families.

COMMISSIONERS
First 5 Monterey County is governed by a seven-member Commission. Three members are appointed as part of their elected/work position and the remaining four at-large members are nominated by a committee established by the Commission with final appointment by the Board of Supervisors.

Simón Salinas, Chair
3rd District Supervisor - Monterey County Board of Supervisors

Elliott Robinson, Vice-Chair
Director - Monterey County Department of Social & Employment Services

Jeanne Hori-Garcia, Secretary
Early Childhood Education Instructor - Hartnell Community College

Jan Phillips-Paulsen

Early Childhood Educator - Retired

Ray Bullick
Director of Health - Monterey County Health Department

Esther Rubio
Head Start Director - Monterey County Office of Education

Josefina Silva
Preschool Coordinator - Greenfield Union School District

Strategic Plan:

Click to read the current Strategic Plan for 2007 - 2015.

Annual Reports:

Below are the 2009/2010 First 5 Monterey County Annual Reports

English
Spanish

Strategic Planning Process Overview:

In 2005 the Commission selected Early Learning Opportunities (ELO) as the primary focus area for funding.

Beginning in February 2006 and culminating in June 2007, a participatory strategic planning process was launched a to identify Community Visions and Outcomes for Early Learning Opportunities (ELO) funding. More than 1,000 individuals from diverse communities in Monterey County participated with their voices, experiences, and perspectives in the design of the Commission’s new focus on Early Learning Opportunities.

Click to read the ELO Community Input Summary Report.

Through this process the community defined three visions that reflect the needs and aspirations of families in Monterey County as well as outcomes to achieve the visions. Additionally, the community identified Essential Program Characteristics for successful programs.

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