for CAREGIVERS
for PARTNERS
the COMMISSION

What We Do

Two toddlers play along the banks of a creek.

How We Serve

First 5 Butte County Children and Families Commission is proud to serve the young children and families of our county as a funder and an advocate. The Commission has been making a difference in our local children’s lives since its formation in 1998.

The Commission has invested millions of Proposition 10 tobacco tax dollars in our local early learning, health and family support programs, and is committed to achieving real and sustainable results towards the successful future of our young children and their families.

A mother reads to her daughter on the floor of a colorfully-decorated library.

Why We Target 0-5

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically during the first five years of life. The emotional, physical and intellectual environment a child is exposed to have a profound impact on how their brain develops. During this critical period, a window of opportunity exists to help shape how a child’s brain matures and to lay the foundation for all of the years that follow.

While the early period in children’s development is absolutely critical to their future success, it is also where public investments are lowest. First 5 Butte County supports local organizations that provide young children and their families with services that promote health and nurturing so that children may reach their own unique potential.

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.

Maya Angelou

Our Plan

Strategic Plan

The primary role of the Commission is to ensure that Proposition 10 resources are used as intended by the California voters. In order to accomplish its goals and desired outcomes for families, the Commission invests in programs and activities that are consistent with the local priorities identified in the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan

View Plan

Long Term Financial Plan

The Butte First 5 Commission's Long Term Financial Plans outlines revenue and expenditures from 2020-2021 through 2025-2026, according to the Strategic Plan.

View Plan

An Asian-american mom plays with her baby on a white-sheeted bed.
Healthy Families Butte County - Butte Baby Steps

Butte Baby Steps

The Butte Baby Steps program is a Healthy Families America™ home visiting program designed to help expectant and new parents get their children off to a great start. The program is open to Butte County families that are either expecting or have a child under the age of 3 months. Families participate voluntarily in the program and receive frequent home visits and activities.

For more information about the program please contact Northern Valley Catholic Social Services.

Hmong Cultural Center Event with young girls wearing traditional garb.
Tu Tus Menuyam - A program of the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County, CA

Raising the Child

The Tu Tus Menyuam Program or “Raising the Child” provides family strengthening services including case management, parent education and community connections for Hmong families with young children.

For more information about the program please contact the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County.

Mom and her young child blow bubbles, outside.
Help Me Grow - Butte County, California (logo)

Help Me Grow

Help Me Grow Butte connects young children and their families to developmental and behavioral services and promotes regular developmental screening for children living in Butte County.

For more information please visit the Help Me Grow website.

Home Visiting Coordination

With funding from the First 5 California Commission, First 5 Butte County is working with local home visiting programs to create a sustainable, unified system that supports families with home visiting services they need and maximize available funding to serve more families.

Visit our Home Visiting Partners to learn more about their programs.

Healthy Families Butte County - Butte Baby Steps

Butte Baby Steps

The Butte Baby Steps program is a national program model designed to help expectant and new parents get their children off to a healthy start. A program of Northern Valley Catholic Social Services.

Early Head Start (logo)

Early Head Start Home Base

An E-Center program, Early Head Start provides services to children 0-3 years of age and to pregnant women. Services are provided in three options: Part-Day, Full-Day and Home Base.

North Valley Catholic Social Services (logo)

Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting

TAPP is a Northern Valley Catholic Social Services program following the Adolescent Family Life Program, using the Positive Youth Development model. Working with your case manager, you will focus on your strengths, explore your values and set goals for your life.

Youth for Change

Parents as Teachers

Through their California Home Visiting Program, Youth for Change (a local nonprofit agency) provides a professionally-trained home visitor to support Butte County families with young children ages 0-3 as they experience and overcome challenges every parent faces.

Download the Referral Form or contact YFC for more information.

If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.

Albert Einstein

Dual Language Learner

Nearly 60 percent of California’s children five years of age or younger are Dual Language Learners. Research is clear – children who develop their home language and English early in life benefit from enhanced cognitive skills and academic outcomes in school and long-term economic gains.

With funding from the First 5 California Commission, First 5 Butte County has partnered with the following:

Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County, CA (external link, opens in new window)

Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County

The Center has developed a Hmong language story time and provides literacy experiences to Hmong families.

Promotores Program Logo

Promotores Program

The Promotores Program has developed Spanish language literacy corners at multi-family housing locations in Chico and Gridley.

Butte County Library (logo)

Butte County Library

The Butte County Library has distributed technology directly to dual language families and has expanded its offering of early childhood resources in a variety of languages.

Butte County Office of Education (logo)

Butte County Office of Education

The Office of Education has provided training for early learning and care professional who care for young dual language learners.

Mothers Strong - Building Strong Families (logo)

Mothers Strong

Mothers Strong is a coalition dedicated to building a supportive community and to help families impacted by maternal mental health challenges.

Visit their website for a list of therapists who specialize in maternal mental health and other local and online resources.