Along with his daughter, Eduardo Diaz is enjoying the company of kids and their families at El Gabilan Library's First 5 Monterey County playgroup in Salinas. In Spanish.  

Eduardo Diaz, First 5 El Gabilan Playgroup, Salinas

Will Pennycook is a first-time parent. Along with his son Liam, he is learning many important skills at First 5 Monterey County's Prunedale Elementary School playgroup. 

Will Pennycook, First 5 Playgroup, Prunedale

As a new father, Mario Garcia recommends the Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) program to all parents. The free ten-week sessions at the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas have helped him be more confident as a parent and role model. In Spanish.   

Mario Garcia, Abriendo Puertas Parenting Program, Salinas

Maribel Jacome talks about how attending the Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) program at the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas has helped her better understand her children’s behavior. In Spanish.

Maribel Jacome, Abriendo Puertas Parenting Program, Salinas

In the free parenting classes offered by the Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) program at the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas, Maria Mendoza and her husband have learned new ways to help their children develop. In Spanish. 

Maria Mendoza, Abriendo Puertas Parenting Program, Salinas

Parent José Jesús Tovar talks about his experience with the Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) parenting program at the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas, and how it has helped him become a better father. In Spanish. 

José Tovar, Abriendo Puertas Parenting Program, Salinas

Adilene Niebla, her husband Jesús and their young daughter attend the Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) parenting program at the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas. As a result, she’s learned what to expect from her daughter’s behavior, and is on the same page with Jesús about her care. In Spanish.

Adilene Niebla, Abriendo Puertas Parenting Program, Salinas

The Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) program has helped José Antonio Aboites know what to expect as a father, while the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas has become a place of community and comfort to new parents. In Spanish.

José Aboites, Abriendo Puertas Parenting Program, Salinas

Ray Bullick, director of the Monterey County Department of Health in Salinas, California, discusses the importance of childhood upbringing. Positive engagement by parents is the key, he says, to lasting health and happiness.

Ray Bullick, Monterey County Department of Health, Salinas

We support local programs that reach children in many areas of their life such as family, child care, neighborhoods, and local and state policies, to name a few.

Our funding for Early Learning Opportunities programs is based in the understanding that the family is central to the healthy development of a child. We fund programs that strive to be culturally and linguistically appropriate, offer flexible hours, and are based in and understand the needs of the community served.  We also encourage our funded programs to work with other agencies to reduce duplication and maximize resources.

Specifically our funding is focused in the six areas below.  Our investments and partnerships in the community bring vital, research-based programs to children and families most in need.  We advocate for policies important to early learning opportunities.  We also provide training and technical assistance to help organizations and communities find ways to best support children and families.  Finally, we encourage community-driven projects that center on young children and their families.

See the community organizations we fund that are working to reach our vision and mission here: http://www.first5monterey.org/userfiles/file/FundedPrograms.pdf

Find Out More about parenting, child care quality, mental health and child well being, policy and advocacy, capacity building & professional development, and sponsorship by visiting our web site -  http://www.first5monterey.org