New resource available to families and service providers

To improve the lives of children from their first moment of development to the time they start kindergarten, FIRST 5 Mendocino provides access to information and resources for young families, the providers who serve them, and the allies who support them.

In service of this effort, FIRST 5 Mendocino just published a new website: www.first5mendocino.org.

The first five years of human development lay the groundwork for a person's future physical, mental, and emotional wellness. There are many skills and experiences that can nurture optimal growth and development and just as many obstacles and opportunities to disrupt it.

Executive Director Julie Fetherston explained, “It used to be that children were raised by a community of extended family and friends. Now, many parents and caregivers are isolated without the support they need. That's where First 5 Mendocino comes in.

We work on multiple levels to address the negative impacts of poverty; parental substance use; parental depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges; and any lack of parenting knowledge or skills. We know that all these factors can influence both the trajectory of a child's life and potentially the trajectory of generations thereafter.”

FIRST 5 Mendocino is organized around four broad goals: optimize children's health and development, improve access to quality early learning and care, increase family resilience, and strengthen integrated and equitable systems.

Fetherston said, “We achieve these goals through direct support to parents and families of children ages 0-5, through capacity-building and funding for community partners who support these families, and through advocacy with decision-makers who can fund the systemic changes needed to help young children thrive.”

FIRST 5 Mendocino provides direct support to families through its family resource center, The Pearl, where families can access information and support. It also offers professional development opportunities and funding for local service providers.