Staff report

First 5 Santa Barbara Commission issued a request for application (RFA) on May 21 for Early Learning Planning (ELP) grants to Local Education Agencies in Priority 1 regions of the county.

Priority 1 areas include: Cuyama, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara school district areas.

First 5 Santa Barbara has budgeted $150,000 for these grants that are meant to help local education agencies strengthen their efforts to serve children prenatal through age 5 and their families in alignment with their TK-12 efforts. Two grants, not exceeding $75,000 each, will be awarded for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The Early Learning Planning Grants are meant to work towards a collective impact model supporting school readiness and early elementary school proficiency. The assumptions and guiding principles that shape the ELP grants reflect what research tells us about young children’s development and learning and address the factors within a unique community. The program of work undertaken through the ELP revolves around six evidence-based ideas:

· Birth through 3rd grade efforts

· Schools as hubs

· Vertical articulation and alignment

· Parent and family support

· Professional development and support

· Persistence and planning

For information and the application, go to http://first5santabarbaracounty.org/our-funding.

First 5 Santa Barbara Commission, funded by Proposition 10 works in partnership with individuals and organizations throughout the county, to support the health, early learning and well-being of children prenatal to age 5 and their families. For information, call (805) 884-8085 or go to www.First5SBC.org.