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Recently, I was interviewed about the potential impact on our community of the proposal on Tuesday’s ballot, Proposition 1D, to take away First 5 money. This money was generated for First 5 by voter approval of Proposition 10 in 1998. The interview was cathartic and emotional. Over 10 years, our accomplishments are overwhelming. From January 1999-June 2004, I served as a volunteer commissioner and continue to work with First 5 as a local community partner, professionally and personally. Here’s how I responded to the questions:
• Describe the greatest impacts First5 has had on the health, development or well-being of children/ families.
First 5 has expended thousands of dollars to help local agencies better serve children. Our first grants went to Sutter Coast Hospital for newborn hearing testing machine/portable equipment to detect early hearing problems ($38,000); Del Norte Healthcare District for community health planning/educational forums ($22,500); DNCUSD to extend lice eradication, car seat safety, school nurse services to children 0-5 ($25,000); Del Norte Chapter, Red Cross, for Child First Aid/CPR classes ($8,400); Del Norte Community Health Center for oral health provider training/equipment ($38,000). A partial list. First 5 also spearheaded our Children's Health Initiative, which offers health insurance for all Del Norte children. • What important services/resources for children/families wouldn’t exist if First 5 hadn’t supported them? First 5 funded local preschool playground renovations throughout the county when the clock was ticking on new federal safety standards. Public, tribal and private center-based preschools received grants ($5,000-$15,000) to replace unsafe equipment. The courthouse added a children’s playroom to occupy kids while parents were in court ($4,000). The financially strapped Del Norte Library District received multiple grants for remodeling the children’s area, books, and Wonder Bus operations ($140,000). RHS received $5,000 to provide children in foster care with duffel bags. First 5 made a significant four-year. investment to improve quality childcare in Del Norte, funding continued provider education ($337,355). This is the tip of the iceberg. I haven’t described the costs and benefits of our Family Resource Centers, a First 5 investment of over $2 million. The FRC project in Crescent City renovated an old neighborhood market, turned it into a resource for all children, and should be recognized as a major economic and human development contribution. • How has First 5 affected systems that assist children and families? First 5 has always stressed partnerships and collaboration. First 5 co-sponsored forums on Foster Care, Pre-Kindergarten and Early Brain Development, bringing the public and professionals together to understand our children’s problems. A newer initiative was launched to better prepare children and caregivers for school — a simple idea with major ramifications. Health screenings, parent education, meeting developmental milestones — all help children to succeed in school. Through its School Readiness program, First 5 has pledged $32,000 to the DNCUSD over the past two years for Kindergarten Readiness programs. • How has First 5’s work affected communities within the county? First 5 isn’t government as usual. First 5 is a rallying force because its funding can support what the community identifies it needs. First 5 has leveraged more dollars for our community. First 5 has initiated a powerful change in the ability of parents to nurture their children. Stop by the Crescent City Family Resource Center and check out parent cooking classes, Happy Toes, Totally Toddler Time, Kneading Time, The Wonder Bus … all organized for parents and children. • Some policymakers now want to use the First 5 money for other purposes. So why keep the original Prop. 10 intact? By empowering local leadership and bringing in new money, we’ve made serious inroads to raising great kids. First 5 supports and prepares them for school and beyond. The state should not take that money away or reverse the votes of two ballot initiatives. Stand up for our youngest children. On Tuesday, please join me in voting “no” on Proposition 1D. Christin K. McCollum lives in Smith River. |