IntroductionFIRST 5 HUMBOLDT’s Focus is Pregnant Women and Children Age Birth to Five.Our focus on children age 0 to 5 and their families is important because recent advances in knowledge about children’s early years show that the period between pregnancy and school entry is a crucial time for human development. A healthy birth and everyday experiences of learning and nurturing from parents and caregivers are a powerful influence on the life of every human being. FIRST 5 HUMBOLDT’s Strategic Plan was approved in June 2000, and this is the fifth update. This Strategic Plan update reaffirms Our Vision, Mission, Beliefs, and Roles. Five Strategic Goals are stated as the desired changes that will contribute to achieving Our Vision. The process for the update began in July of 2008 with a Commission retreat. Following the retreat, Commissioners and FIRST 5 HUMBOLDT subcommittee members responded to questions designed to refine and improve our work. A Summit with partners in our funded programs was held in January 2009 followed by two focus groups with child care providers and one focus group with institutional leaders serving children age 0 to 5. Earlier versions of the Strategic Plan, our Evaluation Framework, and other relevant Commission documents may be accessed on our website at www.humkids.org. FIRST 5 HUMBOLDT is committed to helping Humboldt County’s youngest children to thrive. However, we are just one of many that share this commitment and the vision of a place where young children and families are supported in reaching their highest potential. Partnerships with families, public and private institutions, school districts and community groups will be what bring ultimate success.
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