About Us

First 5 Sonoma County invests in Sonoma County’s youngest children by funding programs and services that promote, support, and improve the early development of children from the prenatal stage through age five.
Traditionally, our communities invest most heavily in children during their school years, yet brain research shows that children’s brains develop most dramatically in their first five years of life. At this early age, the foundation of a child’s life-long potential is established, so investing in these early years makes the biggest difference.
Children who start out in safe, nurturing environments grow up to be happier, healthier people. They become contributing members of our community. First 5 supports the health and well-being of children and their families to prepare children to succeed—at home, at school, in life.

First 5 Sonoma County is funded by Proposition 10 and The Sonoma County Child Care & Children’s Health Initiative

Prop 10 is a statewide ballot initiative passed in 1998 that added fifty cents per pack to cigarettes and other tobacco products. The resulting revenues are allocated statewide to First 5 California (20%) and to a First 5 Children and Families Commission in every California county (based on birth rate).

The Sonoma County Child Care & Children’s Health Initiative, established by the voter approval of Measure I in November 2024, is dedicated to advancing the well-being of children across the county. Funded by a ¼ percent sales tax, this initiative provides a permanent, local revenue source to strengthen the early care and education (ECE) system and promote children’s health and development.

The Sonoma County Children and Families Commission is the policy arm that directs local First 5 activities. With broad community participation, the Commission has created a Strategic Plan that outlines the needs of young children and their families in the county, the Commission’s goals, and its priority outcomes. The plan is updated every five years.
The future of any society depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. Stated simply, today’s children will become tomorrow’s citizens, workers, and parents. When we invest wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. When we fail to provide children with what they need to build a strong foundation for healthy and productive lives, we put our future prosperity and security at risk.

Areas of Investment

In its Strategic Plan, First 5 Sonoma County has defined School Readiness as its primary goal. To support this overarching outcome, six key priority areas have been identified. These priorities shape and guide First 5’s investments in both programs and systemic change, ensuring that every effort contributes to preparing children for success in school and beyond.

  • Increase the availability of high quality, accessible heath care for children
  • Increase early detection of, and intervention for, developmental concerns
  • Increase support for parents to strengthen their parenting capacity
  • Increase support for parents to strengthen their family’s literacy skills
  • Increase the availability of high quality early care and education
  • Increase the capacity of early care and education providers to link their client families to appropriate health, mental health, substance abuse, and developmental services