About Us
On this page you'll find:
Location | Mission, Vision,
& Goals | Background | Commissioners
| Staff
Location
First 5 Inyo County
Children and Families Commission
1351 Rocking W Drive
Bishop CA 93514
Map
Office hours: 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00, Mon - Fri
Phone: (760) 873-6453 or (760) 872-0925
Fax: (760) 873-6505
[TOP]
Mission, Vision, & Goals
Mission: Recognizing that current research in brain development
of young children indicates that the emotional, physical and intellectual
environment in which a child grows up is critical to that child’s
development, First 5 Inyo County is committed to building communities
that support and insure healthy children, strong families and children
learning and ready for school.
Vision: All Inyo County children will thrive in supportive,
nurturing and safe environments, enter school healthy and ready to learn
and become well-adjusted contributing members of society.
Goals:
- Children 0-5 receive timely and adequate oral health
services to prevent, detect and treat dental caries.
- Children 0-5 are safe from
abuse and neglect
from their parents and caregivers.
- Parents and caregivers have the
knowledge and skills needed to support the developmental needs, including
early literacy,
of children 0-5.
- Children 0-5 have access to high-quality early
care and education.
[TOP]
Background
In November 1998, California voters passed Proposition 10, the "Children
and Families Act of 1998" initiative, which then became effective
on January 1, 1999. The act levies a tax on cigarettes and other tobacco
products in order to provide funding for early childhood development
programs. The ultimate goal is to enhance the early growth experiences
of children, enabling them to be more successful in school and ultimately
to give them an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Revenues generated
from the tobacco tax are used to:
• Create a comprehensive and integrated delivery system of information
and services to promote early childhood development;
• Provide funds to supplement existing community services or to establish
new services that focus on parenting education, child health and wellness, early
child care and education, and family support; and
• Educate Californians via a statewide multimedia campaign on the importance
of early childhood development and smoking cessation.
Tobacco tax revenues are accumulated in a designated trust fund to meet
the needs of children ages prenatal to 5 throughout the state. In 2002,
almost $600 million will be placed in this trust fund. 80% of these funds
are then allocated to the 58 counties of the state according to the live
birth rate of each county. The remaining 20% of the money is directed
to statewide programs, research, and media campaigns.
Proposition 10 is premised on new information about brain development. Young
children learn and grow because of the key role their parents or caregivers
play in their development. Although a wide range of individuals and institutions
impact the health and well being of young children, the role of parents is
paramount. Parenting is much more important between the ages of birth to five
than we once believed. By providing children with safe, nurturing and stimulating
environments, parents and caregivers influence long-term growth and development
during these important early years.
The Inyo County Children and Families Commission was created in 1999
by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors, according to provisions of the
Children and Families Act of 1998, to carry out the work of Proposition
10 in the county.
[TOP]
Commissioners
|