First 5 Contra Costa hosted the Community Advisory Council (CAC) end-of-year celebration on Saturday, May 20 at our administrative office. The event gave CAC members an opportunity to present on their data collection efforts, lessons learned, and successes, and a chance to connect across centers and enjoy lunch together.
The CAC is composed of community residents who live or work in each of the First 5 Center’s service areas and many are residents who are parents and caregivers attending or participating in services at the Center. In partnership with the First 5 Centers, the CAC serves as the community “voice” and informs the Center’s planning and implementation of programs and activities through community assessment and community engagement.
At the end-of-year celebration, the CACs from each center location gave a presentation on their overall findings and recommendation areas. Moving forward, the CAC will work with center staff on incorporating recommendation areas designed specifically to address the needs of families. To close out the celebration, members received awards and recognition for their commitment and dedication and a thank you gift from First 5 for their contributions.
Community Advisory Council Presents at June First 5 Contra Costa Commission Meeting
At the First 5 Contra Costa Commission Meeting on June 10, each of the First 5 Centers’ Community Advisory Councils presented recommendations resulting from their annual community assessment process. Each CAC spends months gathering input from families and community members to identify the largest needs of families with young children in their area. Based on the input they gather, they make recommendations to the First 5 Center or other community institutions on ways to address the needs or concerns identified.
The Commission expressed deep appreciation to the CAC members for their efforts to engage other families and to suggest ways to enhance family resilience in their communities. The First 5 Contra Costa Commission and staff look forward to seeing their recommendations implemented this next year.
To review each CAC’s work and recommendations, check out the June Commission packet.