It's our responsibility as a community to support efforts to provide our children with the best start to life. The resources and services available during the critical early years when children's brains are growing the fastest and when they are most vulnerable have a lifelong impact, especially when it comes to mental health.

Monterey County Behavioral Health has launched its community engagement process to help ensure ample local voices shape the Mental Health Services Act... READ MORE

First 5 Monterey County has been on the road talking about the innovative approaches Monterey County is taking towards early childhood development - specifically including early childhood policies in local planning documents.

In October, First 5 Monterey staff had the opportunity to share policies across the nation through presentations and outreach. At the Zero to Three National Conference, early childhood colleagues from all over the nation were able to learn about specific policies... READ MORE

On November 5, the Salinas City Council unanimously approved the Alisal Vibrancy Plan that included language to support early childhood, demonstrating the government's understanding of the long-lasting value of early learning.

The Alisal Vibrancy Plan is an action-oriented, comprehensive strategy for Salinas' Alisal neighborhood with specific actions and policies that were generated through a community-led process - the result of three years of visioning, community organizing, and... READ MORE