The First 5 Contra Parent Advisory Group is a new effort to more intentionally center parent voices in First 5 Contra Costa’s efforts, and to support parents as early childhood advocates. The group meets quarterly to provide insights into the needs of families with young children and to offer input on improving access to countywide resources and services.
Over the course of the year, members will develop leadership and advocacy skills, serve in an advising role to inform First 5 Contra Costa decision-making, and build relationships with other parents, caregivers, and community members.
Applications for 2025-26 now open! Help us ensure that parent voices are at the center of early childhood programs and services:
- Spread the Word!
Please share this flyer with families and community groups who might be interested in joining the Parent Advisory Group. Together, we can amplify parent voices and create positive change for young children across Contra Costa.
- Interested in joining? Apply today.
Applications are open until midnight on Friday, August 15. To apply, you’ll need to be a Contra Costa County resident with a child aged birth to five, and be able to attend in-person meetings on Saturday mornings. We look forward to hearing from you!
For more information about our Parent Advisory Group, please contact Jessica Keener, Program Coordinator, at jkeener@first5coco.org
Learn more about our 2024-25 Parent Advisory Group:
Last fiscal year (July1, 2024 – June 30, 2025), First 5 Contra Costa launched its inaugural Parent Advisory Group (PAG). The PAG was made up of nine parents of children aged from birth to five years old from around Contra Costa County who met in-person quarterly to explore different topics related to early childhood education and care.
The first meeting in October served as an orientation to First 5 Contra Costa as an agency and laid the foundation for a general understanding of the agency’s scope of work. In December, the second meeting focused specifically on the school readiness efforts that First 5 Contra Costa is directly involved in or a key contributor. During the third meeting, parents heard a presentation and participated in a discussion on Universal PreKindergarten (UPK), the expansion of the state’s mixed delivery system to meet the early education needs of 3 and 4-year-old children and their families.
Over the course of the four meetings, all nine PAG members were able to engage in conversations with each other, some First 5 staff, and a few First 5 Commissioners. They shared their opinions, insights, and lived experiences to help inform First 5 Contra Costa’s ongoing work. We thank them for their valuable contributions and look forward to welcoming the 2025-26 fiscal year First 5 Contra Costa PAG soon.
2024-25 Parent Advisory Group Members:
- Celina
- Hemangini
- Kristalia
- Lauren
- Megan
- Norma
- Sarmila
- Victoria
- Yanique
