The Planning Process:
First 5 Contra Costa has embarked
on a strategic planning process to guide our future investments
in programs and services that benefit children ages 0-5 and
their families.
A wide array of data will be considered
in the new plan, including the impact, outcomes, and accomplishments of existing
strategies, the current landscape in the county, community needs as expressed
by community members, and new knowledge about early childhood and successful
practices that have emerged in the last eight years.
Stage I of the process includes a two-day retreat February 4 and 5 (at the Concord
Hilton) in which Commissioners will review trends at the county level and in
the early childhood field, review and affirm the mission, vision, and guiding
principles of the plan, review sustainability scenarios, review and assess existing
strategies and programs, and record initial recommendations for strategies, implementation
and outcomes.
Stages II and III of the planning process include half-day
meetings in March and April to craft the plan, finalize strategy
details, develop funding and budget
guidelines, and confirm the sustainability plan. The Commission anticipates
approving the 2009 plan at the June Commission meeting.
Community Input:
Community input is critical to our planning process. To
gather input, we have:
- Convened provider forums and parent focus groups throughout
the county
- Interviewed policymakers, funders, executive directors,
and other local leaders in children's issues
- Held mini-focus groups at existing provider meetings,
such as the Contractor's Alliance and the Local Child Care
Planning Council
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