September, 2015 

Q&A with new COO Kristin Spanos

We're thrilled that Kristin Spanos has joined First 5 Alameda County as the new Chief Operating Officer. Before joining us, Ms. Spanos served as the Deputy Director for Alameda County Social Services Agency. Prior to that she worked for both non-profit and public sectors in the Bay Area and New York. She has a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Public Finance from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a wealth of experience--we’re happy to have her on board!

Can you tell us a little about your background working for the County?

At AC SSA, I started as an intern in the Planning, Evaluation and Research Unit and worked my way to Deputy Director. I’m most proud of my work with place-based investments, contracts reform and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Before working for ASSA, I worked at the nonprofit Youth UpRising and for the City of Oakland as the Principal Financial Analyst for the Budget Office. Outside of the Bay Area, I’ve also done work in housing, welfare policy, community development and for the Federal Reserve Banks in NYC and San Francisco.

I’m interested in how economic inequality not only connects to differential outcomes by race, class and gender, but also how it directly impacts quality of life. Given this interest, I’ve gravitated to social policy and programs that implement financial and regulatory reform. Public systems are the gate keepers to a lot of funding and the associated programs play a huge role in creating or limiting opportunity.

What attracted you to this position?

I appreciate the cross-system lens that is required in this work – health, social service, education, human development, community economic development . . . This position offers the opportunity to learn about the continuum of human services and the constraints/flexibility in the funding that governs this work. There is no better investment in public (or private funds) than for efforts that contribute to improving the lives of kids, families and communities. I think the earlier the investment the better and the more comprehensive the approach the better – so not just kids, but families and not just families but neighborhoods and not just services but economic opportunity and access.  First 5 is positioned to make major contributions in all these areas.  

You've only been with F5AC for a few weeks, but what's your first impression?  

High caliber, dedicated staff with exhibited leadership that allows for a nimble and effective organization.

What fun things do you do when you are not working?

Not work? J kidding. Hang out with my husband, family and friends. I enjoy travel (though I would like to do more) and I am always thinking of the possible next place to visit. I also love sports and follow tennis extensively. 

"Not just kids, but families and not just families but neighborhoods and not just services but economic opportunity and access.  First 5 is positioned to make major contributions in all these areas."

Oakland Starting Smart & Strong Initiative Wins Prestigious Award 

Last week, the Oakland Starting Smart & Strong Initiative (OSSSI) received the prestigious Hellman Collaborative Change Initiative award. Oakland Starting Smart & Strong was selected from a pool of over 140 applicants from the Bay Area. Oakland Mayor, Libby Schaaf said that the generous award, “speaks volumes about the caliber of their efforts to make Oakland a more thriving and equitable city."

Over 50 Oakland early childhood organizations are members of the taskforce whose goal is to position educators to counter the effects of low opportunity, attendance and trauma in early childhood. With expertise in examining racial and economic gaps in early childhood education, First 5 Alameda County serves on the smaller Lead Planning Team which uses a research-based, whole-child approach. The pilot program consists of teacher professional development opportunities, mental health and behavioral supports, and family engagement activities at two Oakland Unified School District Child Development Centers.

The Hellman award will allow OSSSI to strengthen partnerships and experiment with new solutions that have the potential for game-changing impact. “We’re honored to help shape this unique public-private partnership and to apply the lessons learned from this Oakland pilot to support children’s school readiness throughout Alameda County.” Says First 5 Alameda County CEO, Janis Burger.

Legislative Update

It's been a busy few weeks and now that the regular session has adjourned until January, here’s a quick update on the latest policy developments. 

Regular Session Update

Now that the regular session is over, Governor Brown has 249 bills on his desk. He has until October 11 to sign or veto bills. We’re watching the following bills closely:

  • AB 47 (McCarty): State preschool program
  • AB 50 (Mullin): Home visiting
  • AB 762 (Mullin): integrated child care licenses

Special Session Update

A package of six tobacco-related special session bills failed passage in the Assembly. It's unclear whether lawmakers will revisit tobacco regulation in the special session or reintroduce similar legislation as part of the regular session in 2016. None of the special session bills are officially dead, but the bills faced tough opposition in the Assembly.

Special Session Tobacco & MCO Tax 

The latest tobacco tax proposal, introduced as SBX2 14 by Senator Hernandez on September 8, would have addressed several health special session issues, including California's Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax. California's current MCO tax needs to be changed before it expires in June 2016 or the state could lose federal health care funding, leaving a $1.1 billion hole in the Medi-Cal budget. Medi-Cal funding was the primary reason for the health special session and remains a top priority for the Brown administration. We'll keep you posted as these progress.

 

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