Mission
Mission
Mission
First 5 El Dorado Commission is committed to strengthening children and families by promoting and enhancing comprehensive systems.
First 5 El Dorado Commission invests $800,000 annually to build an early childhood system to assist families in preparing their children for school.
First 5 El Dorado Commission invests $800,000 annually to build an early childhood system to assist families in preparing their children for school.
What is School Readiness?
Ninety (90%) of a child’s brain develops by the age of 5, before they enter school. From birth, children who have regular doctor and dental check-ups, attend high quality child care, are read to and engaged every day are better prepared for school.
How do I prepare my child?
Children that enter school ready to learn score higher on third grade reading tests, a predictor of high school graduation rates. Community Hubs offer resources for parents, caregivers and families in preparing their child for school.
How does the Community benefit?
For every dollar spent on early investments in young children, at least $4-$9 is saved in juvenile justice, remedial and special education. Prevention and early intervention investments are critical.
Strategic Plan FY 23/24 - FY 28/29
Strategic Plan FY 23/24 - FY 28/29
Strategic Plan FY 23/24 - FY 28/29
The first years of life are critical for a child’s learning and development. Children raised in healthy, strong families are better prepared for school.
First 5 El Dorado receives approximately $800,000 annually through revenues generated by Proposition 10 passed by California voters in 1998. These funds are used to enhance or fund new programs, services and infrastructure supportive of young children and families. The aim is to invest effectively in a network of prevention and early intervention services for families with young children.
A Strategic Plan guides the Commissions work and is reviewed on an annual basis, maximized participation from community partners for a common purpose. The Commission will:
- Advocate for children and families and individuals within their community.
- Respect the diversity, strength, identity, and potential of all children, individuals, families, and communities.
- Consider the structural and institutional practices that marginalize children, individuals, families, and communities.
- Solicit and listen to the ideas of stakeholders and others, encouraging a reflective and open dialogue.
- Employ a collaborative, transparent, and inclusionary process.
- Make investments that are research-based, long-range, and visionary.
- Focus on enhancing and supporting existing systems to achieve the Commission mission.
- Act responsibly, making First 5 an accountable steward of public funding.
First 5 funds will only be directed to expectant parents and families with children birth through five years of age.
Investments are guided by an Annual Audit and Long Term Fiscal Plan:
- Priority is to enhance the Early Childhood System.
- Commission funding direct services within the annual allocation.
- Five‐year Strategic Plan serving as the basis for decision‐making.
- Long range fiscal plans assessed over a ten‐year period.
- A strategic, systematic approach is taken in developing recommendations
- Staff and contractors will continue to research opportunities to leverage additional funding.
An Evaluation Plan guides outcomes using a results based accountability framework, consistent with ordinance.
The work and investments of First 5 El Dorado are guided by a nine member Commission. Commissioners are appointed by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors in compliance with the California Children and Families Act and local ordinance. Commissioners represent the fields of education, health, mental health and local government.
As a public entity, the Commission bases its decision making processes on local and state regulations with input from the community. The Commission operates in accordance with the Brown Act Open Meetings for Local Legislative Bodies. Public comment is welcomed and invited at all times.
Membership
The El Dorado Commission for Youth and Families shall consist of nine Commissioners. Four of the Commissioners will be ex officio members and five Public Members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
The El Dorado Commission for Youth and Families shall consist of nine Commissioners. Four of the Commissioners will be ex officio members and five Public Members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
1. One member shall be the superintendent of the El Dorado County Office of Education or his/her designee from the same agency.
2. One member shall be the director of the El Dorado County Director of Health and Human Services Agency or his/her designee from the same agency.
3. One member shall be the El Dorado County Chief Probation Officer or his/her designee from the same agency.
4. One member shall be an acting member of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.
2. One member shall be the director of the El Dorado County Director of Health and Human Services Agency or his/her designee from the same agency.
3. One member shall be the El Dorado County Chief Probation Officer or his/her designee from the same agency.
4. One member shall be an acting member of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors shall appoint the remaining five public members from a pool of county residents who apply and who have demonstrated interest and experience in the areas of the Commission's responsibility. Alternate Commissioners serve to extend and diversify the number of voices and perspectives on the Commission, create a pool of qualified and experienced candidates for future Public Members and ensure Commission continuity.
Current Membership:
| Commissioners |
Position |
|---|---|
| Dr. Ed Manansala, Chair | EDC Superintendent of Schools |
| Brian Richart, Vice Chair | EDC Chief Probation Officer |
| Wendy Thomas, Vice Chair | EDC Board of Supervisors |
| Kristen Patterson, Secretary | Public Member - At Large |
| William (Keith) Bladen | Public Member - At Large |
| Olivia Byron-Cooper | EDC Director of Health and Human Services Agency |
| Scott Coffin | Public Member - At Large |
| Annie Muse-Fisher | Public Member - At Large |
| Terri Stratton | Public Member - At Large |
| Alternates | |
| Leslie Griffith | Alternate for Commissioner Byron-Cooper |
| Kathryn Hamilton | Alternate for Commissioner Thomas |
| Mindi Paxiao | Alternate for Commissioner Richart |
| Adrianna Webb | Alternate for Commissioner Patterson |
| Jude Wood | Alternate for Commissioner Bladen |
Term Limits
Public Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. See Resolution for terms.
Public Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. See Resolution for terms.
Meetings
The Commission shall meet at least six times each year or more often as deemed necessary by the Commission or the Board. The 2025 Meeting Calendar can be found here.
The Commission shall meet at least six times each year or more often as deemed necessary by the Commission or the Board. The 2025 Meeting Calendar can be found here.
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Calendars