Chapter 2.45
FIRST 5 COMMISSION
Sections:
2.45.010 Established—Authority.
2.45.050 Organization and procedures.
2.45.090 Conflicts of interest.
2.45.010 Established—Authority.
The First 5 Commission is established under the authority of California Health and Safety Code Section 130140.1, and in compliance with SCCC 2.38.060. [Ord. 5278 § 14, 2018; Ord. 4717 § 2, 2003; Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.020 Purpose.
The First 5 Commission is part of a Statewide effort to create a seamless system of integrated and comprehensive programs and services, and a funding base for the system with program and financial accountability that will:
(A) Establish community based programs to provide parental education and family support services relevant to effective childhood development. These services shall include, but not be limited to, education and skills training in nurturing and in avoidance of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol during pregnancy. Emphasis shall be on services not provided by existing programs and on the consolidation of existing programs and new services (provided pursuant to the California Children and Families Act of 1998), into an integrated system from the consumer’s perspective.
(B) Educate the public, using mass media, on the importance and the benefits of nurturing, health care, family support, and child care; and inform involved professionals and the general public about programs that focus on early childhood development.
(C) Educate the public, using mass media, on the dangers caused by smoking and other tobacco use by pregnant women to themselves and to infants and young children, and the dangers of secondhand smoke.
(D) Encourage pregnant women and parents of young children to quit smoking. [Ord. 4717 § 3, 2003; Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.030 Membership.
(A) The Commission shall consist of nine members, who shall be residents of the County. Four members shall be nominated on an at-large basis, and five members shall be nominated on an allocated basis with each member of the Board of Supervisors nominating one member.
(B) The four at-large nominees shall include:
(1) One member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
(2) Two members selected from among the following:
(a) The County Health Officer;
(b) A County employee responsible for the management of children’s services;
(c) A County employee responsible for the management of public health services;
(d) A County employee responsible for the management of behavioral health services;
(e) A County employee responsible for the management of tobacco and other substance abuse prevention and treatment services;
(f) A County employee responsible for the management of social services.
(3) One member selected from among the following:
(a) Those persons described in subsection (B)(2) of this section;
(b) Those recipients of project services included in the County’s strategic plan;
(c) Educators specializing in early childhood development;
(d) Representatives of a local child care resource or referral agency;
(e) A local child care coordinating group;
(f) Representatives of a local organization for prevention or early intervention for families at risk;
(g) Representatives of community based organizations that have the goal of promoting nurturing and early childhood development;
(h) Representatives of local school districts;
(i) Representatives of local medical, pediatric, or obstetric associations or societies.
(C) The five members nominated by members of the Board of Supervisors shall be selected from those categories established by subsection (B)(3) of this section.
(D) Commissioners shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors. Any at-large commission member may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors favoring such removal. A Commission member nominated by a member of the Board of Supervisors may be removed by the nominating Supervisor at any time.
(E) Commissioners may receive a reasonable per diem payment for attending Commission meetings at rates established by the Commission. Commission members may also receive reimbursement for their actual expenses incurred in attending Commission-related functions at such rates as are payable to Santa Cruz County employees. [Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4544 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.040 Term of office.
Each member representing a supervisorial district shall serve for a term of four years, commencing on April 1st of the year in which the member’s nominating Supervisor begins a full term. Each at-large member shall serve for a term of four years, staggered in accordance with SCCC 2.38.100(A)(2), with such staggering determined by lot. [Ord. 5203 § 1, 2015; Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4544 § 2, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.050 Organization and procedures.
(A) The Commission may designate the Santa Cruz County Auditor as the Chief Financial Officer and depository for the Commission.
(B) The Commission shall comply in all respects with SCCC 2.38.110 through 2.38.250 unless otherwise provided herein. [Ord. 5278 § 14, 2018; Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.060 Commission staff.
The Commission may provide for staff by entering into an agreement with the County or with another public or private agency, or by employing its own staff. [Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.070 Powers and duties.
The Commission shall exercise the following powers and duties:
(A) Develop and adopt a County strategic plan for the support and improvement of early childhood development within the County, and transmit the County strategic plan, and any future revision thereto, to the Board of Supervisors for its information prior to submitting the plan to the California Children and Families Commission.
(1) The County strategic plan shall be consistent with, and in furtherance of the purposes of, the California Children and Families Act (Health and Safety Code Section 130100 et seq.), and any guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Health and Safety Code Section 130125.
(2) The County strategic plan shall include, at a minimum, a description of the programs, services, and projects proposed to be provided, sponsored, or facilitated; and a description of how measurable outcomes of such programs, services, and projects will be determined by the Commission using appropriate reliable indicators. The County strategic plan shall describe how programs, services, and projects relating to early childhood development within the County will be integrated into a consumer-oriented and easily accessible system.
(3) The Commission shall, on at least an annual basis, periodically review the County strategic plan and adopt those revisions as may be necessary or appropriate. The Commission shall conduct at least one public hearing prior to adopting any revision to the plan.
(B) On an annual basis, adopt a budget to implement the County strategic plan.
(C) Conduct at least one public hearing concerning the annual budget prior to adoption.
(D) Subsequent to adoption of a final annual budget, transmit the document to the Santa Cruz County Auditor (or whatever other entity is acting as the Commission’s Chief Financial Officer).
(E) Provide for the preparation of an annual financial audit concerning the operations of the Commission. Conduct at least one public meeting concerning the annual financial audit prior to its adoption. Transmit a copy of the audit to the Santa Cruz County Auditor (or whatever other entity is acting as the Commission’s Chief Financial Officer).
(F) On or before October 15th of each year, the Commission shall review and adopt an annual program audit and report pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 130150. The written report shall assess the Commission’s performance during the preceding fiscal year, including, at a minimum, the manner in which funds were expended, the progress toward and the achievement of program goals and objectives, and the measurement of specific outcomes through appropriate reliable indicators. The Commission shall conduct at least one public hearing prior to adopting the audit and report. After adopting the annual audit and report, the Commission shall transmit them to the California Children and Families Commission in a format determined by the State commission.
(G) Annually conduct at least one public hearing on the report prepared by the California Children and Families Commission pursuant to subdivision (b) of Health and Safety Code Section 130150.
(H) Enter into such contracts as necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter. [Ord. 5278 § 14, 2018; Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.080 Advisory committees.
The Commission shall establish one or more advisory committees to provide technical and professional expertise and support to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. [Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1998].
2.45.090 Conflicts of interest.
The Commission shall develop and adopt a conflict of interest code in accordance with the Political Reform Act of 1974, which shall take effect upon approval by the Board of Supervisors. [Ord. 4567 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4527 § 1, 1999].