Goal: Improve child health

Outcomes:

1. Children and their families eat nutritious food
2. Children and their families live in environments that promote physical activity
3. Children and their families have access to and utilize health care services
4. Parents and providers have knowledge of principles and practices of child health, development, and safety
5. Children's health and development needs are identified and treated early

Goal: Optimize child development

Outcomes:

1. Parents understand their child's development and engage in early learning activities beginning at birth
2. Families use high quality early care and education opportunities available
3. Early care and education programs are staffed with well trained professionals
4. High quality, affordable, early care and education is available throughout the county
5. Children are ready for kindergarten
6. Schools are ready for children

Goal: Provide optimal environments for children

Outcomes:

1. Parents use healthy parenting practices
2. Parents provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments for their children
3. Parents are knowledgeable about their child's development and the importance of a healthy parent-child relationship

Goal: Maximize organizational systems and policies

Outcomes:

1. Community organizations and agencies work collaboratively to best support and partner with families to promote optimal child health and development
2. Community agencies in Fresno County support the needs of young children and their families
3. Services supporting the needs of young children and their families are accessible and delivered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner
4. Community members and policy makers advocate for an environment that is safe and nurtures young children and their families
5. Local policies promote and meet the needs of young children and their families

Over the next five years, the Commission will work to achieve these goals and outcomes through three primary initiatives that correspond with the strategic plan focus areas:

• The Health Initiative
• Early Care and Education Initiative
• The Family Strengthening Initiative

The strategic plan focus area of Systems Improvement is not an independently funded initiative. Funding for systems improvement is integrated within the Health, Early Care, and Family Strengthening Initiatives and is a critical component necessary to make long-term community impact.

Funding opportunities for the initiatives may include such things as: Request for Applications, Notice of Intent to Partner, and/or Planning Grants. When applying for funds, please make sure that the correct funding opportunity is utilized for the proposed program.