SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Thanks to California voters who passed Proposition 10 more than 20 years ago, First 5s across the state, in each county, utilize tobacco tax dollars to fulfill the charge to nurture and support the youngest among us and their families. This funding is available every three years to eligible non-profit or government unit entities serving young children.                    

Over the next two months, the First 5 Sacramento Commission will be staggering the release of multiple Request for Proposals (RFPs) totaling more than $40 million in funding. Contracts will begin July 2021. Funding is for services benefiting the health and well-being of young children and will be allocated among the following areas:

Preventing African American Child Deaths; Strengthening Families/Decreasing Child Abuse and Trauma; Improving School Readiness; Building Quality Child Care Settings; Increasing Breastfeeding

For background information and the funding allocation for each area, refer to the First 5 Implementation and Systems Improvement Plan. Additional background information is also available in the First 5 Strategic Plan.

Please regularly check the First 5 Sacramento website for proposal information and mandatory dates. If you have any questions, please call 916-876-5865.

Research shows that 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, a tobacco tax, to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0-5. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento distributed approximately $12 million in Prop 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs in Sacramento County. All 58 counties have a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county. More information available at www.first5sacramento.net.