Event Sponsorships are to support community-based events that will provide early education and information specifically related to children ages 0 – 5 and fit in with the vision of ensuring that children enter school healthy, emotionally-well developed and ready and able to learn. 

Multi-Year Funding

In order to maximize Commission and agency resources, First 5 Monterey County funds organizations for multiple years at a time.  Fiscal and programmatic controls ensure that should concern surrounding performance arise, they can be addressed quickly and fairly. 

Between March-December 2006 more than 1,000 individuals from diverse communities in Monterey County participated with their voices, experiences, and perspectives in the design of the Commission’s new focus on Early Learning Opportunities.  To learn more about the Strategic Planning Process click here. 

On April 30, 2007 the Commission approved funding for selected Funded Partners who responded to the ELO Community Grant Application and staff was directed to assess and identify additional gaps in funding (see the April 30, 2007 Regular Commission Meeting minutes for details).

As a result of the gap analysis on literacy, on July 23, 2007, the Commission approved funding to the Community Foundation for the Literacy Campaign for calendar year 2008. Staff continues to work on the other gap analyses.

Initiatives

Initiatives jointly funded by First 5 California and First 5 Monterey County include: the School Readiness Initiative (funded through 2007), the Special Needs Project (funded through 2008), and CARES (funded through 2009). 

The South County "Bridging the Gap" Initiative was funded in January 2006 for a one-year period following an extensive community engagement process that identified increasing access to existing services through culturally appropriate outreach as a priority goal.  Future funding for this initiative was included as part of the Early Learning Opportunities strategic planning process in 2007. 

Neighborhood Grants

First 5 Monterey County provides funds to the Community Foundation for Monterey County's Neighborhood Grants Program.  The goal of the Neighborhood Grants Program is to use existing resources to strengthen the capacity of residents to act cooperatively to improve the well-being, safety and overall quality of life in their neighborhoods.  Project objectives include increased community participation and a renewed sense of community identity and vision.  First 5 Monterey County funds training and small grants (up to $4,000) for the neighborhood groups working in support of programs focused on children ages 0-5 and their families.  

To access the grant application and guidelines, please click here.