Programs

An easy-to-print summary of programs with brief descriptions is available here: 2009-10 Funded Program List or 2009/10 Funded Program List with contact information, 2010/11 Funded Program List and 2011/12 Funded Program List

First 5 Merced County is proud to provide funding for the following programs for fiscal year 10/11:

School Readiness Program:

The First 5 Merced County School Readiness Program supports and implements programs that work to improve the transition from early care settings to elementary school and increase the schools’ and communities’capacity to promote the success of young children. The School Readiness program engages families, community members, and educators in the important work of preparing children, birth to age five, for elementary school. First 5 Merced County has 8 School Readiness programs serving our community. They are as follows:

Program
Funding
Atwater Elementary School District - Atwater School Readiness Program $202,094.00
Dos Palos / Oro Loma Joint Unified School District - Families Achieving Readiness $82,500.00
Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. - Hmong PAT Home Visiting Program $60,978.00
Merced County Public Health Department - Ready, Set, Go Program $211,367.00
Merced City School District - Families and Children Support Program $234,000.00
Planada School District - Readiness Is The Answer $84,431.40
Sierra Vista Chilren and Family Services - Early Mental Health Support Services for Children, Families, and Providers $151,144.00
Merced County Office of Education - Caring Kids $146,667.00


Power of Preschool Program (P.o.P.)

First 5 Merced County Power of Preschool Program (PoP) is a high-quality, free, voluntary, part-day preschool program for four-year olds. The program assists children in becoming personally, socially, and physically competent, effective learners, and ready to transition into kindergarten. They are as follows:

Program
Funding
Merced City School District - Teacher Support Program $250,000.00
Delhi Unified School District - Early Intervention Program $116,666.50
Livingston Unified School District - Bright Beginnings $174,000.00
Merced County Community Action Agency - No Preschooler Left Behind $62,000.00
Los Banos Unified School District - BRIDGES Project $168,947.00
Merced County Office of Education - Head Start PoP Bridge Program $35,000.00

Staff Qualifications and Reimbursement Rates


Other Desired Outcomes Programs

First 5 Merced County also supports additional programs addressing its Desired Outcomes. These programs work with families, educators, health, and social services providers to support young children 0-5 years and their parents.

Program
Funding
Merced College Child Development Center - Raising Early Intervention Awareness for Children's Health $106,430.00
Merced County Office of Education - Early Quality Improvement Project $311,236.50
Merced County Human Services Agency - Parenting Education Program $230,000.00
Golden Valley Health Center - Reach Out and Read $55,448.00


Workforce Recruitment Advancement Program (WRAP)

The Workforce Recruitment and Advancement Project (WRAP) will serve licensed and license-exempt family child care providers, and child care center staff to increase educational and professional growth through educational planning, advising, coaching and financial support.  The ultimate goal of WRAP is to support child care professionals in attaining education benchmarks that will improve the quality of care provided in out-of-home environments by the following:

Program
Funding
Merced County Office of Education – Workforce Recruitment and Advancement Project $260,893.90


Children’s Health Initiative (CHI)

The Children’s Health Initiative (CHI) aims to improve access to and utilization of quality care for children in Merced County by providing outreach and enrollment assistance for children whose families are at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. CHI expands children’s coverage through an integrated Children’s Health Initiative and Healthy Kids insurance product for children ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. The program establishes medical homes for consistent health education and preventive care, thereby reducing the impact on urgent and emergency care services, and works in close partnership as a referral resource with First 5’s contracted entities.

Program
Funding
Merced County Department of Public Health – CHI Program $210,764.00


Community Responsive Programs

First 5 Merced County provides local funding to local organizations whose work with children 0-5 aligns with the objectives set forth in our Strategic Plan. Currently we provide local funding to 8 community – based organizations, private and county agencies. We are currently funding the following programs under General Grants Programs:

Program
Funding
Community Social Model - The Rose Julia Riordan Tranquility House $47,357.00
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center - LEAD the Way to Success $25,000.00
Merced County Department of Public Health – Universal Developmental Screening for Merced County $103,000.00
Merced County Office of Education - BEAM First 5 Preschool to Productivity Campaign $73,278.67
Merced County Department of Public Health - Comprehensive Children's Injury Prevention Program $60,000.00
Emily Lindsey - Merced BEST $28,662.00
California Health Collaborative - Community Network for Tobacco Relief Project $61,158.85
Via Adventures – Going Places $140,000.00