First 5 Fresno County
Therefore, the Commission made a deliberate decision to focus the majority of its resources on four core areas: health, early care and education, family strengthening, and systems change.
First 5 Fresno County recognizes that our children and families have great needs. However, we have limited funds and those funds must be invested in sustainable, long-term strategies that will have a positive impact on the greatest number of children.
If children are healthier, early care and education systems are meeting our children's needs and families are stronger, then we will know “systems” for children have been changed for the better. As a result of this rationale, First 5 Fresno County focuses its funding on three primary initiatives:
First 5 Fresno County focuses the majority of its investments in health on strategies that will help children stay healthy. Preventative care and early identification of special health needs are critical to the development of children from a prenatal stage through age 5. Existing relationships with health care providers will be nourished and new relationships will be formed as First 5 partners with local doctors and health care providers in caring for Fresno County's youngest children.
First 5 Fresno County focuses its investments in early care and education with the philosophy that a child’s education is best supported through partnerships among parents, child care providers, and other members of a young child’s life. The Commission will invest in activities and programs that take this holistic approach and honors a parent’s role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
First 5 Fresno County will focus its family strengthening investments and activities to support the healthy development of relationships between parents and their young children. First 5 believes that healthy parent-child bonding and attachment, and supports that connect families with resources and services will lead to more stable and nurturing homes and neighborhoods.
Guiding Principle #6 - Sustainability
Sustainability
We believe that we must focus on achieving and sustaining outcomes for children. We will make every effort to make sustainable investments.
Policy Platform
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Strategic Plan
The 2008 - 2013 Strategic Plan guides all of First 5 Fresno County's investments.