First 5 State and County Key Accomplishments
FY 2002 - FY 2007

• First 5 programs have helped improve the lives of millions of children and families, with an average of more than 3.5 million children and families receiving First 5 services per year.



• First 5 California's public education campaign has been a key element to reaching, informing and serving those who need it most.  Since 1998, First 5 has reached more than 491 million audience members with information about positive parenting practices through media campaigns, community events and outreach efforts.



• A recent study found that two-thirds of children entering kindergarten in the state's high-priority schools have not mastered the developmental skills necessary for school success.   To better prepare children for school, First 5 California and the county commissions are investing $400 million over four years toward school readiness programs. To date, more than 2 million children and their families have benefited from direct school readiness services.



• California currently ranks 37th in preschool enrollment; more than half of eligible children are not enrolled and three-quarters of its publicly funded preschool programs have waiting lists. To reverse these trends, First 5 California and the county commissions are investing nearly $1 billion to increase access to quality preschool programs.  Nearly 700,000 children and parents participate in First 5 preschool and early education programs annually.



• Each year, more than 500,000 children are born in California.   Since 2001, First 5 has distributed more than 2.5 million Kits for New Parents, which provide free parenting resources and materials to educate and support new parents.  First 5 has also provided prenatal and birth care services to an average of nearly 300,000 expectant parents each year.



• Studies have shown that when kids are healthy, they are more prepared to enter school ready to learn.  However, approximately 174,000 children ages 0 to 5 in California are uninsured.  First 5 is helping to close the gap through its Health Access for All Children Initiative, which provides health insurance to nearly 48,000 children.



• To improve the health of California's children and to better prepare them for the future, First 5 has administered more than 750,000 comprehensive health screenings, nearly 500,000 immunizations and over 1.2 million nutrition assessments and education services since 1998.



• A recent California survey found that by the time children enter kindergarten, nearly half have dental decay, making it among the most prevalent children's health problem in the state.  To combat this, First 5 has made children's oral health a top priority, and has provided oral health services to an average of 300,000 children and parents each year.



• It is estimated that more than 10 percent of children ages 0 to 5 in California have a disability or special need that may impact their ability to play and learn.  First 5 California’s investment of $10 million has provided developmental screenings and assessments to nearly 5,000 children annually.



• To help promote reading and writing skills, First 5 offers a variety of literacy activities and resources.  An average of 400,000 children and parents benefit from First 5 literacy programs annually.