Contra Costa Children and Families Commission Adopts First 5 Contra Costa As New Identity
Local Prop. 10 Commission changes name to emphasize importance of the first five years in a child’s life

—Contact: Tracy Irwin 925/335-9991 ext. 13

Martinez (December 2, 2002) — The Contra Costa Children and Families Commission officially adopted “First 5 Contra Costa,” as its new organization name. The new name reflects the importance of the first five years of life, the period of time during which a child’s brain develops most dramatically. First 5 Contra Costa will serve as an easily identifiable name for all the programs and services implemented by the Commission under Proposition 10, the 50 cent-per-pack cigarette tax adopted by voters in 1998.

“Experiences children have in the early years have a profound effect on the way they grow and develop and also establish a foundation for future success in school and in life,” said Brenda Blasingame, executive director of First 5 Contra Costa. “The new name emphasizes that our programs help give parents the tools necessary to support and nurture their children in the first five years.”

The First 5 Contra Costa name will be used in all Contra Costa Children and Families Commission efforts. Programs supported by First 5 Contra Costa include home visiting programs to provide prenatal care and parenting support for new mothers and Child Care Solutions, which provides early screening of children with developmental problems or special needs, among others. To date, the Commission has allocated $9 million to benefit local early childhood development programs and projects.

The statewide California Children and Families Commission formally adopted the name First 5 California in July in an effort to unify the many different elements of early childhood development programs administered with Prop. 10 funds.

“By adopting the‘First 5’ identity, we join other counties in the state who are committed to creating an integrated approach to early childhood development,” said Blasingame.

First 5 Contra Costa, also known as the Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, was established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November 1998, placing a 50-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education, health, child care and other programs for expectant parents and children ages birth to 5.