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Community Engagement Approach
First 5 Monterey County values community participation and partnership. The Commission recognizes that the lives of children will only be improved in Monterey County when everyone -- policy makers, parents, caregivers, providers:
The Commission understands that it will take a multi-faceted approach to bring about its vision that all children will enter school healthy, emotionally well-developed and ready and able to learn. It is only by bringing together those who touch the lives of children daily to build upon their strengths and break down barriers that success will be achieved. The words of anthropologist Margaret Mead help to guide the approach to community engagement and participation.
"[N]ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has[.]"
It is only by including children's first teachers -- parents, neighbors, community members -- in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of funded programs that those programs will make a lasting difference for generations to come.
That is why the Commission is committed to promoting a community engagement and participatory approach in all of its funded programs. Planning for the Commission's new focus on Early Learning Opportunities (ELO) will also be conducted in an inclusive and participatory manner. Recently developed programs have been designed through partcipatory approaches (for more information click here to see the South County Initiative "Bridging the Gap") and the Commission is working with community service providers to make the shift in thinking and approach from "working with clients" to "partnering with leaders."
For more information on the Commision's Guiding Principles or ELO please click the links below.