Dear Community Partners and Friends,

Our newly elected Governor is trying to overturn the will of the voters and redirect revenue of First 5 County Commissions, denying many of our children access to

programs and services that produce long lasting positive outcomes. 

Proposed 2011-12 State Budget

The Governor's proposal will cause irreparable damage. Once it takes funds First 5 San Mateo County is currently providing to our communities PLUS half of all future revenue, little will remain to fund prevention programs and meet the needs of children and families that large bureaucratic programs are unable to meet.

The Senate Budget Subcommittee is scheduled to hear the proposed Proposition 10 redirection of funds on Wednesday, January 26 at 10:00 am in Sacramento.   

As a Community

Let us be one voice for our children to ensure competitive representation within the state policymaking system when unbelievably difficult decisions are being made.  

Grantees and Service Providers

California legislators need to know how the services and programs funded by First 5 and implemented by your organizations have made a difference and have changed the lives of children and families in San Mateo County.  Please let us know if you and/or families that you have served would be willing to speak at the Senate Hearing.  The voices of parents and families are powerful and influential.  

We will continue to provide you with updates and how you can advocate.  Thank you for your ongoing work for young children and families in our community. 

First 5 San Mateo County

Dear Friends of First 5,
 

The Governor has proposed a massive $1 billion sweep of First 5 funds and the permanent diversion of half of all future Prop 10 revenues. This newsletter is the first of a series of updates and suggestions regarding what you can do to help protect the future of First 5.

The budget process is on a fast track. Legislative budget hearings are already scheduled. To learn what you can do NOW, see the boxes below. 

The Governor's budget calls for taking $1 billion in Prop 10 funds from First 5 "reserves." But most First 5 commissions do not have "reserves." They have multi-year funding for multi-year initiatives. The Governor's proposal would take this revenue, much of which is already encumbered, directly out of the county treasury and away from hundreds of nonprofits and county providers.

First 5 exists because the voters understood -- when they originally passed Prop 10 and when they twice rebuffed efforts to overturn it -- that it pays to invest in our children. Ripping off local funds dedicated to ensuring that children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school is not an appropriate way to balance the state budget.

The First 5 Association agrees with the Governor that everyone must contribute to solving the state budget crisis, and the county First 5 commissions are willing to do so. But the Governor's proposal will cause irreparable damage: Once it takes the funds county commissions are currently spending PLUS half of all future revenue, little will remain to fund prevention programs and meet the needs of children and families that large bureaucratic programs are unable to meet. 
 

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. THE LEGISLATURE MUST RE-THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PROP 10 TAKE-AWAY PROPOSAL BEFORE IT BECOMES A BALLOT MEASURE AND THE VOTERS ARE ASKED TO VOTE ON IT ONCE AGAIN.  See below for what you can do...

Thanks for your support,

Sherry Novick

First Association of California

Write a letter or call your legislators right away.  Remind them of what will be lost in your community if First 5 loses the vast majority of its funds.

The Senate Budget Subcommittee is scheduled to hear the Prop 10 fund shift Wednesday, January 26, at 10 am. Write to Budget Committee Members NOW. To see sample letters, talking points, and a list of the Budget Committee members, click here and open the attachments at the bottom of the page.

For more information and to stay updated, go to www.F5AC.ORG and click on the "Association News" box in the upper right corner of our homepage.

Click here  

for a Sample Senate Budget Letter

Highlighting F5SMC Community Contributions!

For additional information about First 5 San Mateo County community contributions, contact Chonne Sherman, Communication & Operations Liaison at

650-372-9500 or

csherman@co.sanmateo.ca.us