About Us

About Us​

FIRST 5 Santa Clara County supports the healthy development of children, prenatal through five years, and enriches the lives of families, caregivers, and the larger community.  
A child in a striped shirt smiles. Bubbles float around them. Another child partially visible in the background.
A child sitting on the floor reading a book. They are surrounded by other young children in a bright indoor setting.

Our Story

FIRST 5 Santa Clara County was established through a statewide voter-approved initiative in 1998 known as the California Children and Families Act (Proposition 10). Each county oversees the distribution of tobacco tax revenues to support, promote, and optimize early childhood development through coordinated programs that emphasize family support, children’s growth and learning, and improving systems of care for children prenatal through five years. Our overarching goal is to act as a catalyst to ensure that the developmental and health needs of young children and their families and caregivers are a priority in Santa Clara County. 

FIRST 5 Santa Clara County is organized as a local public entity led by a nine-member Commission with experience and expertise in county government, public health, social services, and early learning and care. A core responsibility of the Commission is to adopt and implement a strategic plan that guides the organization’s use of public funds to support and promote programs and services for young children, prenatal through five years, and their parents and caregivers. FIRST 5 is proud to engage as a funder, resource, and advocate, committed to serving the varied and critical needs of Santa Clara County’s families. 

Our Core Values

Collaboration

We co-create in partnership with others, prioritize lived experience, and develop strategies that advance the well-being of families with young children.

Inclusivity

We center diverse perspectives to ensure the representation and participation of marginalized individuals throughout our work

Creativity

We approach our work from a place of curiosity, joy, innovation, and openness to new ideas.

Integrity

We are accountable for our actions and the outcomes of our work, striving for transparency with the community, our partners, and each other.

Equity

We advocate for fair access to opportunities and seek solutions that disrupt systemic oppression, close gaps, and remove barriers that harm families with young children

How do we serve the community?

FIRST 5 invests millions of Proposition 10 tobacco tax dollars each year towards effective programs in early education, health, and family support. FIRST 5 is committed to achieving sustainable results toward the successful future of young children, prenatal though age 5, and their families.

We invest in neighborhoods where children are exposed to the greatest risk for poor developmental outcomes. Our system of care enables us to provide tailored services to young children, prenatal through age five, and families experiencing the highest level of need. We also work toward shifting community norms and systems that affect the health and well-being of all young children in Santa Clara County.

How do we serve children ages 0-5?

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically during the first five years of life. During this critical period, a window of opportunity exists to help shape how a child’s brain matures. This period lays the foundation for all the years that follow.

While the early period in children’s development is critical to their future success, it is also where public investments are lowest. FIRST 5 provides families with programs and services that strive to ensure children are born and remain healthy, can access quality early learning and care environments, and are connected to basic needs supports that help children develop and thrive.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 

At FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, we are committed to fostering a culture that celebrates diversity, advances equity, promotes inclusion, and cultivates a deep sense of belonging for all. We recognize that every child, family, and community we serve is unique, and we embrace the differences that make us stronger and more effective in our mission. We strive to create an environment where:
  • Diversity is valued as a source of strength, recognizing the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, and lived experiences.
  • Equity is prioritized through intentional policies, practices, and resources that address disparities and ensure fair opportunities for all.
  • Inclusion means every voice is heard, respected, and valued, fostering collaboration and innovation across our organization and the communities we serve.
  • Belonging is cultivated by building trust, authenticity, and mutual respect, ensuring everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Our commitment to DEIB is integrated into everything we do—from the way we design programs, partner with families, and engage with the community, to how we support and develop our workforce. Together, we are dedicated to dismantling barriers, addressing systemic inequities, and building a future where every child and family has the opportunity to succeed. By living our DEIB values, we affirm our responsibility to be a leader in driving meaningful and sustainable change, ensuring that FIRST 5 Santa Clara County is a place where diversity is celebrated, equity is achieved, inclusion is practiced, and belonging is the norm.