Why we administer

Alameda County’s early childhood care and education system has been fragmented and underfunded for years—but Alameda County cares about young people. Most of First 5’s work was originally funded by Proposition 10, a voter-approved tobacco tax passed in 1998. Because fewer people buy tobacco products each year, Prop 10 revenue has steadily declined. But, Alameda County residents have continued supporting early care and education through local funding measures.

Our role as administrators

Because our community cares about children, they voted in favor of new local funding to help kids and their families thrive. Thanks to these resources, we now have opportunity to address longstanding inequities and transform the early care and education system in Alameda County. These two ballot measures are: The Children’s Health & Child Care Initiative for Alameda County (Measure C) and the Oakland Children’s Initiative (Measure AA).

The Children’s Health & Child Care Initiative for Alameda County (Measure C)

This countywide sales tax measure was passed by voters in March 2020 and names First 5 Alameda County as the administrator of the child care, preschool, and early education account (80% of total revenues). Measure C was upheld by the courts in April 2024 and is expected to raise approximately $150M annually for early care and education—funds which will enable us to help child care providers stay open, increase the supply of child care, fund new parks and playgrounds, support early developmental screening for children, and so much more.

Oakland Children’s Initiative (Measure AA)

Passed in November 2018 and upheld by the courts in 2021, Measure AA is funded by a City of Oakland parcel tax and projected to provide about $30 million in annual funding for early education and college access programs for Oakland residents. In December 2022, First 5 Alameda County was awarded the contract to serve as the Initiative’s Early Education Implementation Partner.

The early years matter most

And we’re expanding access to high-quality early care and education

California continues to make strides toward ensuring every child receives the care and education they need. It’s our job as administrators of these local tax dollars to make sure providers and families don’t miss out on critical opportunities.

News

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Jan 2, 2025

Annual Report highlights successes and partnerships

Please join us in celebrating our collective work accomplished over the past 25 years.   From the start, First 5 has stood as a powerful reflection of California voters’ values. The passage of Proposition 10 in 1998 was a transformative moment, enabling California to fund early childhood programming in each county, weaving together our societal commitment to a child’s…

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Jan 2, 2025

Staff participate in the development of the 2025 Policy Agenda

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Jan 2, 2025

Strengthening system partnerships through collaborative investments in diaper distribution program

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With the children…it’s like planting a seed and watching it grow. So being able to see every leaf, every branch, every color that comes out of each one of the children that you work with.

Tracie Mason Child care provider