Ten years into its work the Children and Families Commission of San Luis Obispo (SLO) County (a.k.a. First 5 SLO County) has taken the time to look forward. Through a structured process of community-based planning the Commission has reassessed its mission and its work.

The Strategic Plan 2011-15, What Life for Our Children?, represents an evolving vision for an integrated system of advocacy and activity in the Commission’s five Initiatives over the next five years aimed at serving our county’s children, ages 0 to 5 years, and their families. The five Initiatives are: Health Initiative; Oral Health Initiative; Perinatal Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative; Special Needs Initiative; and School Readiness Initiative.

The Children and Families Commission of SLO County is committed to advocating for children, ages 0-5, and their families. As a group and as individuals the Commissioners proactively speak for children as a part of their professional and personal lives. But, they are not the only members of First 5 who advocate for young children in SLO County.

The First 5 SLO County Policy Platform consists of two parts. The first part concerns First 5 SLO County’s intention to develop a San Luis Obispo County Young Children’s Bill of Rights and the second part is made up of specific advocacy and policy activities tied to the Commission’s five Initiatives.