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Strategic Initiatives

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First 5 San Mateo County Strategic Initiative Launch Timeline First 5 San Mateo County's Strategic Initiatives were formed by an extensive community input process that relied on feedback from over 3,000 parents, service providers, policy makers and other community stakeholders. Upon full implementation, each initiative is expected to be a collaboration that maximizes referrals between agencies while minimizing redundant services. As a collective, the Strategic Initiatives address the “whole-child” by spearheading systems change in the critical areas of children's health, early care and education, parent education, and children's safety. The Strategic Initiatives are as follows:   Initiative Timeline 1. Preschool For All (PFA) ($1 million/year) Increases the number of 3 and 4 year olds attending quality preschool to better prepare them for success in school and in life. Funding earmarked for the development of a county-wide School Readiness Master Plan was incorporated into PFA In recognition of the leadership and strategic planning role PFA will play in enacting policy change needed to optimize school readiness for all children in San Mateo County. October 2004 2. Children's Health Initiative ($2.3 million/year) Aims to provide health coverage for uninsured children ages 0 - 5. This Initiative is managed by San Mateo County Health Services Agency's Children's Health Initiative. October 2002 3a. Early Brain Development (EBD) -Phase I ($1 million/year) Teaches families how to optimize their children's cognitive growth and become more involved in their children's learning through home visiting and community education. This Initiative is managed by San Mateo County Health Services Agency's Pre-to-Three program. July 2003 3b. Early Brain Development (EBD)- Phase 2  ($1 million/year) Staff are working on a proposal to create a First 5 SMC Early Brain Development (EBD) Institute. The EBD Community Design Group met in 2003 and proposed utilizing the $1 million dollars in unallocated EBD funds to create an Early Brain Development infrastructure county-wide that would share best practices and interventions based on neuroscience with parents, providers and policy makers. 2005 4. SmarKids ($300,000/year) Increases child care spaces for low-income working families through financial support and technical assistance to new child care centers and family child care homes. December 2002 5. Children Safe In Their Own Homes ($100,000/year) Will integrate systems that serve children who are exposed to substance abuse and violence. Fall 2006 For more information click on the appropriate link: Preschool for All Children's Health Initiative Early Brain Development SmartKids Children Safe In Their Own Homes