We are pleased to share the First 5 Sonoma County 2026–2031 Strategic Plan. This plan builds on our long history of supporting children and families while responding to a rapidly changing landscape.
A key opportunity in this new plan is Measure I. Thanks to the strong support of Sonoma County voters in November 2024, we now have a sustainable local funding stream to expand access to child care, early education, pediatric care, and perinatal mental health services. Alongside ongoing Proposition 10 revenue, Measure I enables bold, coordinated investments. Still, we recognize that resources are limited, and we must balance long-term systems change with responsiveness to urgent needs.
Throughout this work, our commitment to equity remains unwavering. Guided by our Framework on Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Anti-Racism, we will continue to design with and for those furthest from opportunity, because when systems work for those on the margins, they work better for everyone.
This plan reflects our priorities and our values: to lead with integrity, steward public resources responsibly, and remain guided by the voices of families, providers, and partners. Together, we will ensure every child in Sonoma County has the strongest possible start in life.
In March 2025, the First 5 Sonoma County Commission engaged VIVA Social Impact Partners (VIVA), a social impact consulting firm, to co-design and implement an eight-month strategic planning process. The design of the process was grounded in First 5’s commitment to diversity, equity, belonging and anti-racism, which includes listening to those closest to the issues and designing for the margins. It combined extensive community input with a comprehensive review of relevant data to align priorities and select strategies for the greatest positive impact.
DATA LANDSCAPE The process began with an in-depth review of community-level data on the strengths, needs, and barriers facing young children and their families in Sonoma County. Topics included children’s health, behavioral health, family well-being and basic needs, early care and education (ECE), and the ECE workforce. Findings were shared with First 5 Sonoma County staff and the Measure I Community Advisory Council (CAC) to support data-informed strategies.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT In addition to community-level data, First 5 Sonoma County gathered input from individuals across Sonoma County to help prioritize strategies for investment and implementation. Community Engagement began with a needs assessment conducted by Equity First Consulting that included eleven focus groups, inclusive of families, ECE providers, and health First 5 Sonoma County 2026–2031 Strategic Plan 14 service providers, as well as community interviews. VIVA supplemented this as needs arose and included one listening session with ECE providers, one listening session with health community partners, and one focus group of Federally Qualified Health Centers.
PLANNING GROUPS To synthesize insights and prioritize where to allocate Proposition 10 and Measure I funding, several planning bodies contributed: 1. Measure I Community Advisory Community 2. Strategic Planning Committee 3. Ad-hoc Joint Committee (Measure I CAC & Strategic Planning Committees) 4. First 5 Sonoma County Commission 5. First 5 Sonoma County staff
