Early Learning Initiative
FIRST 5’s Early Learning Initiative is a comprehensive, integrated, systematic approach to improve the quality of early learning and increase school’s readiness to meet the needs of children in Santa Clara County. The initiative is built on the following principles that all children deserve access to:.
• High-quality environments that enrich learning and healthy development;
• Highly trained and educated teachers;
• Low staff/child ratios and small class size, effective teacher-child interactions;
• Culturally sensitive care;
• Family support;
• Developmental/behavioral screening and connection to assessment and early intervention services;
• Nutritious meals;
• Evidence-based school readiness curricula;
• Schools that are prepared to meet their academic and social-emotional needs
Comprehensive Health and Early Learning System
Prioritizing access to early learning and health systems through a Whole Child Approach will eliminate barriers and support the healthy development of children within the County. On March 28, 2017, Supervisor Ken Yeager introduced a legislative request seeking a report that considered the following possibilities: (a) a pilot study involving a school site or school districts and other institutions with the goal of providing comprehensive health care, quality early learning, and quality child care from birth to age 8; and (b) an evaluation of the feasibility, costs, and actions needed to provide all County residents with universal access to comprehensive health care, quality early learning, and child care from birth to age 8.
Facilitated and key informant meetings led to a set of recommendations:
- The implementation of a pilot study in Franklin McKinley and Alum Rock School Districts to demonstrate universal access to early care, education, health and social services;
- The integration of County’s services into the district’s partnerships with the early childhood providers;
- The creation of a Concierge Navigator service delivery model which includes a universal intake process and the expansion of the School Linked Services model to include early childhood;
- Support of professional development to train more providers in family engagement strategies;
- Further investigation of facilities investments upon the publication of the Countywide Facilities Study;
- Support the creation of a local funding source to support true universal access.