Annual Report

2019 – 2020

Investing in Ventura County’s Children

Introduction

By the time a child turns 5 years, 90% of her brain is developed. The first 5 years of a child’s life are critical for developing lifelong social, emotional, and learning skills.

Equipped with this knowledge, First 5 Ventura County (F5VC), an independent public agency largely funded through Proposition 10, works to ensure children are born healthy, thrive in nurturing environments, and enter school prepared and eager to learn.

We are leaders and experts, improving outcomes for Ventura County’s 60,000 children age five and under.

Children are best served when the entire early childhood system is strong. F5VC partners with foundations, school districts, social and health care agencies, businesses, parents, and local leaders to make sound, lasting investments in children. Together we strive to connect a network of essential services for young children and their families – a network that strengthens futures for children, families, and communities.

Be a Champion for Early Childhood!

Early Childhood Champions! Whether it’s volunteering to read, making a donation, or posting a #take5vc, you can be a champion for early childhood! Learn more at www.first5ventura.org.

Meet First 5 Ventura County

Our Vision is that all Ventura County children are born healthy, thrive in nurturing environments, and enter school prepared and eager to learn.

Our mission is to strengthen families, communities and systems of care for children prenatal to 5 years through investments, expertise, and leadership so all children reach their full potential.

First 5 Ventura County’s Year in Review

July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020

We Served

F5VC is dedicated to serving families who can benefit the most, and have the least access to other early childhood services.

Age

To have the greatest impact, we serve the whole family. Nearly 2/3 of the people we serve are adults.

2041 Residents:

Language

English is the primary language spoken among participants, but nearly 1/3 of parents also speak Spanish.

Ethnicity F5VC vs County

More than 2/3 of First 5 participants are Hispanic/Latino. By comparison, 43% of Ventura County residents are Hispanic/Latino.

*Note: Race/ethnicity category is unknown for 5% of F5VC participants.

Income

Of those who disclosed income, more than 1/2 made 30K or less.

Education

Of those who disclosed their education, just over 1/2
have had at least some college.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Equity and access are key fundamental values in being socially conscious and community minded. Underserved groups include those with higher needs such as families who are low-income, non-English speakers, and people of color.

MICOP

F5VC funds the Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), which works to strengthen the Mixtec and indigenous immigrant community in Ventura County, estimated at 20,000 people. MICOP delivers PACT and family support services to Mixetco families in a culturally relevant way.

We Invested

F5VC invested $5.6 million to enhance high-quality early childhood experiences. Two key investments illustrate our efforts to strengthen families and systems: the Neighborhoods for Learning and Help Me Grow.

Neighborhoods for Learning Initiative is a Cornerstone in the Community

The First 5 Neighborhoods for Learning (NfLs), offer any family in Ventura County with a child 0-5 years old the opportunity to participate in our signature Parent and Child Together classes, receive developmental and health screenings, gain assistance accessing support services, engage in parent education, and connect with local families.

Where We Work

The 13 Neighborhoods for Learning are in easily accessible locations throughout Ventura County.

We Supported

Parent and Child Together Classes Build Secure Bonds and Positive Parenting Skills

NfL’s Parent and Child Together (PACT) classes, an evidence-informed playgroup model, offer a dual generation approach that is carefully designed to allow parents and children ages 0-3 the opportunity to play and learn together with other parents, while teachers model positive parenting skills and strategies.

The First 3 Years of a Child’s Life Are the Bricks and Mortar of Brain Development

Evidence shows that when we invest in the first three years, infants and toddlers become healthy children who are confident, empathetic, and ready for school and life — and our communities, workforce, and economy become stronger and more productive.

PACT Served

605

parents/caregivers

attended PACT

490

children

attended PACT

99%

of children in PACT are 0-3 years old.

Mothers

made up nearly 3/4 of adult participants.

549

Individuals completed Social Determinants of Health

549 Individuals also completed Maternal Depression Scale

402

Individuals completed
ASQs

89% of children attending PACT classes

397

Individuals completed
ASQ-SEs

71% of children attending PACT classes

Parent and Child Together Outcomes

Before PACT

Social Connections

35% of parents reporting limited social connections with other families.

After PACT

Interactions with other parents

96% of parents reporting they interact with other parents more.

Depending on other families

83% of parents reporting having other families they can depend on.

Nearly all PACT Participants reported positive outcomes

Many parents also reported increased understanding of how to get services for their children if needed.

PACT Parents Say…

“I learned the very first day, that my child is making connections with his brain and that guided me to play with him more and do different activities to promote his development.”
“PACT has truly helped me develop as a parent. It has helped me learn how to speak with my child when she is upset. Helped me learn new songs and develop routines with her.”
“My child is more outgoing and interacts with other kids when around them. He developed on speaking a lot more. Same with his feelings he tells me when he is sad, happy, excited etc.”
“She has learned to share and play nicely with others to take turns, treat toys and friends with respect and to pay attention to teachers, sit quietly when appropriate and follow directions.”

Help Me Grow Ventura County

Help Me Grow is building an integrated, countywide early childhood system to promote early identification of children with developmental and social-emotional needs and to connect them to community resources and interventions.

110 children and their families

received HMG services in Ventura County

70% of these families

had a child between the ages of zero to three years

70% of families reported

their needs were met by HMG in their initial contact

Triple P: Equips Parents with Skills and Confidence

F5VC invests in Triple P Positive Parenting Program, an evidence-based parenting program that ranges from a lighter touch model that offers a brief one-time assistance to parents with minor concerns to individually tailored counseling intervention sessions that are offered for parents of children with concurrent child behavior problems and family challenges such as parental depression, stress, or conflict between partners.

Triple P Served:

252

parent/guardians in
Triple P: Level 2

parent/guardians in
Triple P: Level 4 & 5

274

parent/guardians in
Triple P: Level 4 Group

Triple P Outcome Data

Participants reported significant improvements in their parenting practices and relationships with their children and family.

Comprehensive Information and Referral Service for all of Ventura County

F5VC funds 2-1-1 Ventura County to provide information and referral to callers and 2-way-texters and offer families with young children a referral to their local NfL.

2263
calls

36498
web searches

211
texts

We Counted

F5VC led a “We Count” “Todos Contamos” campaign to educate childcare providers and families about the importance of being counted in the Census.

For every person not counted, Ventura County loses approximately $2,000 in federal funding per year for 10 years. That means less funding for housing and Head Start, and less food for families in need.

From January to August 2020, bilingual census materials were distributed, including 6,000 bookmarks, 12,000 Palm Cards, 1,000 posters, and 5,000 We Count books.

Ventura County was in the top five percent of counties to be counted nationwide.

6000
bookmarks

12000
palm cards

1000
posters

5000
We Count books

We Advocated

From meeting with legislators in Sacramento to partnering with local businesses to “Take 5 and Read to Kids,” we help decision makers choose children.

The proposed Vape Tax would have diverted revenues away from children. F5VC and First 5s across the state worked to ensure that First 5 will receive its equivalency if a Vape Tax is passed.

F5VC advocated for SB 1383 Paid Family Leave, which was signed into law, guaranteeing job protection for 115,466 additional employees in Ventura County who utilize paid leave to care for a new baby or a sick family member.

F5VC advocated for CARES funding to be allocated to child care providers. 123 childcare providers received $5,000 Business Assistance Grants totaling $615,000!

We Responded

In partnership with key early childhood organizations, we committed to rise together in response to Covid-19 and serve our most vulnerable populations, essential employees, and child care providers.

Together with our partners at FoodShare, Child Development Resources of Ventura County (CDR), and Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), we distributed over 130,000 diapers, baby wipes, masks, gloves, disinfectant, soap, and other cleaning supplies, along with books and census materials.

In partnership with Kids & Families Together and Rainbow Resource Centers, we distributed 250 Lakeshore activity kits and 164 grocery gift cards to address immediate needs of families, targeting foster families, children with special needs, and at-risk families.

250
Lakeshore activity kits

130000
diapers, baby wipes, masks, gloves, disinfectant, soap, and other cleaning supplies

164
grocery gift cards

We Transitioned from Emergency Response to Long-Term Recovery

We supported child care providers as they apply for CARES funding, meet COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, working families’ needs, and children’s distance learning needs.

We continued to work with NfLs to provide virtual services structured similar to the in-person model of PACT, screening, and case management.

110
PACT classes

20634
views from 198 Facebook LIVE videos

1485
Care Coordination Services

Our Strategy

Ventura County’s kids will thrive when we strengthen the entire early childhood system.

F5VC pledges to continue our work to strengthen families, communities, and systems of care for children prenatal to five years through investments, expertise, and leadership so all children reach their full potential. Now more than ever is the time to be bold and creative in forging new ways to improve and strengthen the infrastructures that support children and families. The Commission recognizes that families’ needs are changing rapidly and F5VC needs to remain flexible and adaptable so we can continue to best meet these needs.

View Strategic Plan

Our Approach

Our goal is to align and integrate systems of care to ensure that the youngest children and their families have timely and seamless access to supports and services that best meet their needs.

The most effective way to support young children is through their families. The Neighborhoods for Learning (NfL) initiative and other key F5VC investments provide parents with support to navigate the challenges of raising young children and nurture their healthy development.

Our Team

We are leaders and experts, improving outcomes for Ventura County’s 60,000 children age five and under.

Our Staff

Our team is comprised of educated, steadfast, hard-working people who are committed to changing our community together.

View Staff

Our Commission

Governed by a nine-member Commission appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, F5VC has made a significant, positive impact on early childhood systems in Ventura County. F5VC has invested over $200 million since our inception.

View Commission