First 5 Tehama is dedicated to supporting the holistic brain development of young children in Tehama County so that all of Tehama’s children can thrive physically, emotionally and cognitively. We do this by serving as a collaborator, catalyst and common link in four main focus areas that are critical to helping young children thrive and reach their full potential.
Our Mission
Through partnerships and innovative leadership First 5 Tehama promotes, facilitates and supports 0-5 systems that improve inclusive access to high-quality early education, health and family support resources.
Our focus areas include resulting outcomes in which:
- Our children and families have hope, resilience, and wellbeing
- Adults who influence young children’s growth and development demonstrate developmentally appropriate knowledge and practices
- Our children have increased access to quality and affordable early education
- Our community understands why the 0-5 foundational years matter and where to find resources
For more information see 2022-2027 Strategic Plan
Families
90% of children’s brains are developed by age 5. To help families in this critical time First 5 Tehama provides resources, education and connections when families need it most.
Parenting Classes (Positive Parenting Program)
First 5 Tehama recognizes that parenting is hard; everyone can use support. To specifically support young families and parents First 5 Tehama funds multiple parenting courses in English and Spanish each year.
Book Club
The First 5 Book Club is more than a club it is an experience for both children and adults. Members of the book club receive developmentally appropriate books to support early literacy which we know creates lasting positive change into adolescence.
Help Me Grow Tehama
Help Me Grow Tehama connects young children and their families to developmental and behavioral services and promotes regular developmental screening for children living in Tehama County.
Providers
To promote a Whole Child/ Whole Family approach First 5 Tehama provides local opportunities for all professionals that support 0-5 system to learn and practice evidence-based strategies together for the purpose of increasing our impact through skills and relationships. These inter-agency opportunities are designed for education (infant/toddler/PS/TK/K), health (mental and physical), family support (child and adult), Social Services and more.
Early Literacy (Talk Read Sing)
First 5 Tehama Leads a Community Initiative to increase brain development, strengthen families, and increase early learning through one act TALK-READ-SING
Pregnancy to Preschool (P2P)
The P2P partnership has created a single access point for subsidized early care and education in Tehama County.
Quality Counts North State
A systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education programs.
Partners
First 5 Tehama leads, promotes and supports collaboration within and across health, education and social support systems to better the health of children and families.
Leaders
First 5 Tehama initiates collaboration, advocacy and innovation for all community leaders influencing the lives of young children and families. Through interagency partnerships and collaboratives First 5 Tehama aims to increase connectivity to and between resources locally, regional and state-wide.
Early Intervention Partnership
This visionary partnership has one clear mission of ensuring a coordinated system of prevention and early intervention services and support for young children ages 0-8 and their families.
ACEs Aware/ Strengthening Families
First 5 Tehama received an ACEs Aware grant in 2021 with the primary goal of increasing ACEs awareness in the County, particularly amongst agencies in early childhood systems or families with young children themselves.
Champions for NorCal Kids
A podcast with Windy Dickens and Heidi Mendenhall
Join 0-5 experts, rural county lovers and First 5 Executive Directors Wendy (Shasta) and Heidi (Tehama) as they showcase local 0-5 resources, tell the amazing stories of
our North-state champions for children and unpack how we can continue to make a difference for young children and families. Be prepared to laugh, learn and feel inspired
by your community.
Partners
First 5 Tehama leads, promotes and supports collaboration within and across regional and statewide health, education to increase 0-5 system integration for whole Child Supports.
