F5MC  >  What We Do  >  Policy and Advocacy  >  Advocacy Opportunities and Resources

Advocacy Opportunities and Resources

Anyone can be an advocate for young children and their families. Local opportunities to have your voice heard happen regularly around Monterey County through county and city agencies, school districts, and other organizations.

The resources below are available to help connect community members to meetings and opportunities designed for public input. These opportunities provide a chance to educate leaders and decision makers about the importance of including early childhood development in the policies, goals, and direction for our communities. We have also provided resources for individuals or groups wanting to understand local early childhood development needs and share possible outcomes important to families with young children.

Please check back regularly for updates. While we do our best to keep this page current, opportunities or resources might be missing. Please contact Nina Alcaraz at nina@First5Monterey.org if you would like to see something included on this page.

Register to Vote

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to influence the policies that shape our society. But did you know that registering to vote can also have a profound impact on the future of our youngest citizens? Many of the decisions that affect children's education, healthcare, and well-being are made by elected officials. By registering to vote, you can help ensure that the needs of young children are prioritized in policy decisions. The policies enacted today will shape the opportunities and environments in which our children grow up. By registering to vote, you help ensure that the needs of young children and their families are prioritized in the democratic process. Together, we can build a brighter future for all children.

Register to vote today and help create a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Visit the Monterey County Elections Department voter registration page to get started and make a difference!

Resources for Early Childhood Champions

» Why Early Childhood Funding Matters to Monterey County (talking points)

» Monterey County Community Identifies Early Education and Preschool and Education as Top Priorities 

  • Info sheet published in May 2018 with data from the countywide community engagement process to learn about priorities for potential excess cannabis tax revenue

» Promoting the Power of General Plans: A Strategy to Support Early Childhood Development (policy brief)


» Seaside 2040 Early Childhood Toolkit

  • A sample toolkit about the Seaside General Plan that includes a brief overview about the plan, the importance of early childhood, sample social media posts, talking points, and important dates.

City Opportunities – General Plans

General Plans map out the goals, policies and directions to help meet a city's long-term vision. The State of California requires all cities and counties to have a general plan. Since these are a roadmap for the future, General Plans are an opportunity to ensure the inclusion of the early childhood development needs of residents, employees, and employers. Below are current local opportunities for advocacy.