First 5 Contra Costa Celebrates Grand Opening of New School Readiness Center

New Center opens providing free programs for Concord children ages 0 to 5

WHAT
Concord families will join First 5 Contra Costa to celebrate the grand opening of the Monument Community First 5 Center and to learn about the free programs the Center offers families with children ages 0 to 5.

Funded for the next three years by First 5 Contra Costa, the Center will provide parenting classes, support groups and programs that teach families how to prepare their children for success in school and life.

WHEN
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006
Noon to 4 p.m.

WHERE
1736 Clayton Road
Concord, Calif. 94520
(next to the Keller House at Ellis Lake Park)

VISUALS
Dora the Explorer interacting with local children
Animals visiting from the Oakland Zoo
Fun puppet shows

MORE
Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years of life and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout their life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 to 5. First 5 Contra Costa invested approximately $30 million in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs.

CONTACT
Tracy Irwin, First 5 Contra Costa
Office: (925) 335-9991, ext. 13
Cellular: (925) 381-1860