Supporting Strategic Change

First 5 Humboldt partners with others who know that by leveraging our resources together, we can start changing Humboldt’s tomorrow.

By keeping our focus on creating a healthy future for all of Humboldt County’s residents, we support initiatives that consider the whole child and the whole family. All of our funding partnerships are shared initiatives, where First 5 Humboldt Proposition 10/tobacco tax dollars are blended with other local and regional funds, philanthropic dollars, and state or federal grants to bridge the distance between the rural work-life challenges of families and what families and communities need to thrive.

Woman and children tossing leaves into the air, arms and faces raised, in a field of flowers with distant rows of mountains and sky in background

group of adults hands all centered around holding and supporting a small seedling

First 5 Humboldt funds partnerships with local non-profits, family resource centers, schools and cities to offer playgroup experiences for families to connect with one another and connect with the supports they need, including parenting classes, COVID-response resources, music opportunities and community events. We work with St. Joseph/Providence Health to support the crucial work of Paso a Paso, connecting Latinx families with preventive information and programming. By working with the Humboldt County Library’s children’s programs, we ensure that children and families have rich opportunities to access reading and support through the library network.

We know that the workforce that serves young children and their families is crucial to our community’s success. Through our partnership with the Humboldt County Office of Education, we fund infant-family and early childhood mental health workforce development opportunities. As part of the local Quality Counts Consortium, we support Early Childhood Education workforce development with workshops, training, coaching and coordination.

Preschool teacher sitting outside on grass with children, notebooks and pencils

Through the generous partnership with Vesper Society and the on-going partnership with the County of Humboldt, we are able to focus on Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Our partnership with United Indian Health Services enables us to provide family navigators and support services to pregnant women and mothers at risk of substance use disorder. We work with the North Coast Grantmaking Partnership and other community groups to respond to urgent community needs. The long term health and well-being of Humboldt is always at the forefront of our thinking. We know that we are only successful when we are working together and that the health of our children is our best indicator for a thriving Humboldt tomorrow.