A few state legislators are proposing to reduce funding for First 5 programs.
First 5 Amador operates at a grassroots level, meeting the needs of children zero to 5 years and their families. First 5 Amador funds have supported programs that provide essential services for early education through school readiness programs, oral health screenings and fluoride varnish, family safety and domestic violence prevention, two community resource centers, nutrition and food security programs. All of these activities increase a child's abilities to lead successful lives, and prevent the need for costly public health and social services programs down the road.
First 5 Amador funding is one of the few sources of outside dollars that is not earmarked for specific programs. Decisions about First 5 dollars are made locally and are spent on local programs only. It is imperative that legislators making decisions on First 5 funding understand the importance and effectiveness of early childhood programs, as well as the need for each community to determine what programs would work best in their areas.