Fact Sheet on Proposition 10
Prepared by the Child Care Resources Office
City of Sunnyvale
Updated 8/04

What is Proposition 10?

• In November of 1998, the California voters approved Proposition 10, which established a 50-cent tax on tobacco products from which an estimated $700 million will be collected statewide each year.
• Proposition 10 funds are intended to promote, support and improve early childhood development from the prenatal stage through five years of age.

How is the funding allocated?

• First 5 California (formerly the Children & Families First Commission of California) was created to administer Proposition 10 funds statewide. To assist in the administration of Proposition 10 funds, county commissions were formed in all 58 counties in California.
• 80% of the Proposition 10 revenues are allocated to these county commissions to fund local programs.
• The amount of funding each county receives is based on the number of live births in the county and annual revenues from tobacco tax sales.
• First 5 Santa Clara County (herein referred to as First 5) was created to allocate approximately $25 million annually in Santa Clara County.
• First 5 staff has indicated that Proposition 10 funds will not be affected by state budget cuts. However, First 5 staff anticipates a decline in Proposition 10 funding as the number of live births in Santa Clara County is decreasing (due to the high cost of living and people relocating out of the area), and as revenues from the sale of tobacco products decreases (Proposition 10 funds are also used to educate youth about the dangers of smoking).

How has Sunnyvale been involved with the allocation of Proposition 10 funds?

• To uphold their commitment to serving all children in Santa Clara County, First 5 created Regional Partnerships to fund local initiatives. Sunnyvale belongs to the First 5 North Regional Partnership (herein referred to as the Partnership), which includes Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto.
• The Partnerships are to be completely ‘community driven’, with staff guidance and technical assistance provided by First 5.
• From December 2001 through October 2003,, Kristen Nigriny, Child Care Manager, has played an active role at Partnership meetings and on the Partnership’s Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee assists the Partnership in developing agendas for meetings, proposing processes for decision making and acting as a liaison to First 5. Coryn Campbell, Neighborhood & Community Services Manager, oversees Ms. Nigriny’s work on the Partnership, and was instrumental in the planning and implementation stages of the Partnership’s goals.
• Sunnyvale staff, child care providers and parents have been active members of the Partnership.

How is funding allocated to the Partnership?

• The Partnership will receive $500,000 per year for 3 years beginning June 2003.
• In order to receive the first round of funding, the Partnership completed the following four phases:

I) Form the Partnership (completed)

II) Gather Information (completed)

III) Prepare Summary of Proposed Initiatives (completed).

• The Partnership is taking a regional programs approach (programs will serve all cities in the Partnership). This approach has fostered excellent inter-city collaboration between residents, city staff and agencies involved in the Partnership.

IV) Present Summary of Proposed Initiatives to the First 5 Commissioners (completed)

What initiatives are being funded?

1) Early Learning Quality Improvement Program (ELQUIP). The ELQUIP program is already being implemented by Palo Alto Community Child Care. The focus of this initiative is to enhance early education environments by developing mentoring relationships between child care providers, and by providing professional development opportunities (i.e. training classes) for both mentors and mentees.

2) Information and Referral Mobile Van (IRMV). The IRMV initiative is pending and will be implemented by the Community Coordinated Child Care Council (4C’s). The IRMV will visit various sites throughout Sunnyvale approximately four times per month and will focus on providing a wide range of information on health, social service, education and child care related resources, with an emphasis on families with children ages prenatal through five. The 4C’s is in the process of hiring staff and coordinating this initiative. The estimated launch date for this initiative is August/September 2004.

3) Classes for Parents and Caregivers of Special Needs Children. This initiative is pending and will be implemented by Parents Helping Parents. Two classes, each six sessions in length, will be held in each of the four cities involved in the Partnership. It is anticipated that the classes will begin in August 2004.

4) Plant A Seed. This initiative is pending and will be administered by Hooked on Nature. Hooked On Nature will provide educational materials and training to communicate the benefits of nature experiences for young children. Educational materials consist of a laminated bookmark, bibliography for parents, list of local parks and outdoor experiences, posters for outreach events, and materials for planting activities.

Final Report:

• The final report describing in detail, how Phases I, II, III, and IV were completed, was submitted to First 5 in June 2003.

Who do I contact for more information about Proposition 10?

• For more information, please contact Kristen Nigriny, Child Care Manager, by phone 730-7532, or by email knigriny@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us