The Children and Families Commission of San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino) was established in 1998 by voter-approved Proposition 10, an act to tax 50-cents per pack on cigarettes to fund county childhood development programs that impact the most critical years of a child’s life. Eighty percent of the revenues from the tobacco tax are distributed to County Commissions statewide based upon county birth rate data. County Commissions develop strategic plans for investing the funds using relevant data and with consideration of public input on local needs.
The Commission consists of seven members, one member of the Board of Supervisors, the Assistant Executive Officer for Human Services, the Director of Public Health or Health Officer who serve for the duration of their employment in that position, and 4 remaining members who must be selected from among representatives of persons responsible for management of children’s services, public health services, behavioral health services, social services, educators, local school districts, community-based organizations promoting early childhood development, tobacco or other substance abuse prevention and treatment services, local child care resource agencies, local medical, pediatric, or obstetric associations, and local organizations focusing on prevention or early intervention for families at risk.
For more information on First 5 San Bernardino Commission, visit our website at www.first5sanbernardino.org or contact (909) 386-7706.
About First 5 San Bernardino
The Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino) was created in December, 1998 in order to realize the benefits of Proposition 10 (California Children and Families Act) for the County’s youngest residents and their families. The act created a system of programs for the purpose of promoting, supporting, and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age.