WHAT'S NEW

First 5 San Francisco seeks to identify an agency or consultant to serve as an Early Literacy Consultant. The consultant will design and implement activities and products to improve family resource centers’ ability to improve children’s early literacy skills. A full description of activities and qualifications is in the RFQ document. A Bidder’s Conference is scheduled for July 1, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Click here for more info and an application.

First 5 San Francisco's Preschool For All (PFA) program received high marks in new research by the RAND Corporation on preschool quality in California. RAND noted that the City's PFA classrooms outscored the rest of the state and nation on the CLASS assessment. Click here to read RAND's report. You can read more about San Francisco's CLASS results in Year 2 evaluation of PFA here. Also, check out the short article in the 6/19/08 SF Examiner.

First 5 San Francisco would like to secure Family Outreach Services for its Preschool for All initiative. First 5 San Francisco has allocated up to $150,000 per year starting FY2008-2009 for providing outreach services. This grant will be renewable annually through FY2011-2012 subject to review. A non-mandatory bidder’s conference will be held on June 24, 2008. A letter of intent is due on July 1, 2008. Applications are due at the First 5 SF office by 5pm on July 11, 2008. Click here for more info and an application.

Solicitation of Interest 2008–09: First 5 San Francisco plans to fund a Prenatal to Three Initiative Pilot to provide targeted families with services and supports from pregnancy through a child’s third year of age. The pilot seeks to provide ongoing support by integrating services and supports across medical and community based settings with a particular emphasis on community obstetric and pediatric clinics, family resource centers and families’ homes. Up to $300,000 per year has been allocated to support these activities. A mandatory Solicitation of Interest Conference is scheduled for June 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. The SOI document is now available on this website. Click here.

The June-July newsletter is now available in English, Spanish, or Chinese

The 2008-2009 PFA Resource Directory is now available.
Click here to view.

Save the Date! For all New & Renewing PFA Sites, the 2008-09 PFA Orientation will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at the Fort Mason Conference Center. More info to come!

First 5 San Francisco is pleased to announce additional Preschool For All (PFA) sites for 2008-09. Effective July 1, 2008, these center-based and family child care preschools will be part of PFA’s high-quality system of early care and education. If your child turns 4-years-old on or before December 2nd and if you live in San Francisco, you may be eligible to enroll at a PFA program for the 2008-09 Program Year. Your child may be eligible for a free or tuition reduction. Click here to view a complete list of sites or call the PFA PARENT INFO LINE at (415) 354-3873 to find out more.

First 5 San Francisco is seeking a partner to increase access to dental services for children 0 – 5 years old participating in Denti-Cal and other public health insurance programs and children with special health needs. Up to $175,000 per year has been allocated to support development of a share the care dental services provider pool and referral program. A Bidder’s Conference is scheduled for May 7, 2008 and proposals are due June 10, 2008. Click here for more info and an application.

The PFA Stakeholders' and Advisory Committee meeting for April 22, 2008 has been CANCELLED. First 5 San Francisco has cleared the schedule of events planned for Tuesday, 4/22/08 in order to allow ALL interested and available Preschool For All Advisory Committee members and San Francisco ECE stakeholders to join Preschool California in its Pre-K Advocacy Day activities on that date.

Pre-K Advocacy Day is a mobilization of pre-k supporters and stakeholders from across California to actively inform the state’s policymakers of the importance and effectiveness of Pre-k programs to our families and communities. It’s FREE and a great opportunity to help make a difference in Sacramento!

Please contact First 5 San Francisco to join our local contingent – we will help connect those who wish to rideshare and attend together. For more info, download a flyer or contact Matthew Rector at (415) 934-4808 or matthew@first5sf.org.

First 5 San Francisco would like to secure audit services to complete its annual fiscal audit for 2007-2008. First 5 San Francisco has allocated up to $30,000 per year starting FY2008-2009 with three annual renewals at the discretion of First 5 San Francisco. A non-mandatory bidders' conference will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 10am at the First 5 San Francisco office, 1390 Market Street, Suite 318. Applications are due at the First 5 SF office by 5pm on Friday, May 9, 2008. Click here for more info and an application.

The April-May newsletter is now available in English, Spanish, or Chinese

The 2008 RFQ for PFA Fiscal Services has been released! First 5 SF would like to secure fiscal services for its PFA initiative to provide reimbursements to PFA participants and to support program activities. First 5 has allocated up to $150,000 per year starting FY2008-2009 for providing fiscal services. This grant will be renewable annually through FY2011-2012 subject to review. A non-mandatory bidders conference will be held on March 26, 2008. A letter of intent is due on April 11, 2008. Applications are due at the First 5 SF office by 5pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Click here for more info and an application.

The 2008 Parent ACTION RFPs have been released! There is a Starter and a Regular RFP. Both due by 5pm on April 28, 2008. There are Q&A sessions available. Click here for more info and an application.

The Commission has approved 4 additional PFA sites effective 1/1/08!

Glide Child Care and Family Support Preschool
Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center, Inc.
Cross Cultural Family Center (Richmond Site)
SFUSD-Sheridan Elementary Head Start Preschool

Click here to view the updated list

A new page called "Research & Evaluation" has been added to the Preschool For All section. The ECE Workforce Study and PFA Process Evaluation are now housed here. Click here to check it out!

The PFA BA/MA Bonus Program information has been moved to to the PFA Info for Teachers' page. Click here to view.

Save the Date! The 2008 SEE ME Event will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2008 from 11am to 3pm at the Civic Center Plaza.
Click here for more info and to download the registration form.

Check out the 2008 Teacher Action Grant recipients on the new "Info for Teacher" page under the Preschool For All section! Click here to view.

The February-March newsletter is now available in English, Spanish, or Chinese

In December 2007, the First 5 San Francisco Commission approved a revised administrative cost policy effective on July 1, 2008. This will apply to any grant created on or after July 1, 2008. Click here to view.

The San Francisco Early Childhood Educator BA/MA Bonus Program information is now available online. This program is an additional bonus for qualifying early childhood educators with BA and/or MA degrees working at approved Preschool For All (PFA) sites. Click here for more info.

The December-January newsletter is now available in
English, Spanish, or Chinese

Our resource guide for families with children ages 0-3 is now available! It will also be included in the new parent kits. Click here to view.

The Preschool For All Teacher Action Grant is now available! First 5 San Francisco has allocated funds to support groups of teachers (two or more) from participating PFA sites to engage in professional development activities. Applications are due Nov. 16. Click here for more info or to download.

The October-November newsletter is now available in
English, Spanish, or Chinese

The The 2007 Directory of Funded Programs is now available online!
Click here to view or download.

The San Francisco Ethics Commission approved the Statement of Incompatible Activities on November 5, 2007. This policy goes into effect on December 5, 2007. This is a guide for employees and Commissioners about the type of activities that are appropriate as a representative of the Children and Families Commission. Go to Click here to view or download.

The RFQ 2007/05 - Services for Asian and Pacific Islander Families is now available! First 5 San Francisco has allocated funds for the development of activities supporting parenting skill development, child social-emotional development and school readiness. The identified partner should possess experience and expertise providing service to Asian and Pacific Islander families with young children. Up to $100,000 per year has been allocated to support this project. A Bidder’s Conference is scheduled for October 10, 2007 and proposals are due November 5, 2007. Click here for more info or to download.

The RFQ 2007/06 - Preschool for All Data System is now available. First 5 San Francisco is seeking a vendor to plan, develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive data system to collect, manage, and report on data related to the City's universal preschool initiative. The identified vendor have demonstrated experience with data systems for early care and education providers, local educational agencies, and their funding agencies. Up to $175,000 has been allocated to support this project in its first year. Proposals are due October 12, 2007. Click here for more info and forms.

The 2008-2009 PFA Provider Applications are now available. The first round of PFA Application Orientations for providers will be held in October: Tuesday, October 9th from 6pm-8pm and Thursday, October 11th from 12pm-2pm. Click here to for more info and forms.

The Bidders' Conference minutes for the RFP 2007/04 - Services for LGBTQ Families is available. Click here to read the minutes.

First 5 California announced its $20 million committment toward a statewide health coverage program. This contribution is contingent upon the state establishing a health coverage program for all children effective January 1, 2008. Read the press release for more information.

The San Francisco Public Library is offering a FREE workshop for early childhood educators - "The Art of Oral Traditions and Storytelling with Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa" on September 15 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Main Library's Children's Center on the 2nd Floor (100 Larkin Street). Space is limited. You can register by emailing bestrella@sfpl.org or calling (415) 557-4272. Click here to read the flyer.

The RFP 2007/04 - Services for LGBTQ Families is now available! First 5 San Francisco has allocated funds for the development of activities to address the unique needs and experiences of LGBTQ headed families. The identified partner should possess experience and expertise providing service to LGBTQ families, families formed through adoption and trans-racial adoptive families. Up to $100,000 per year has been allocated to support this project. A Bidder’s Conference is scheduled for August 30th and proposals are due September 26th. Click here to download the complete RFP (PDF) or just the forms (MS Word).

Check out the First 5 CA's "Countdown to Kindergarten" series! This series offers tips for parents and caregivers on how to prepare their children for the first day of kindergarten. Read the press release for tips or listen to the radio news release!

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is sponsoring a Family Day on Saturday, September 8 from 10am to 1pm at the 14th Ave E Picnic Area on JFK Blvd in Golden Gate Park. This is a FREE event where children and families can learn to ride bikes. Click here for more info.

RFQ 2007/02 - Prenatal to Three Initiative Planning and Project Development Consultant is now available! This RFQ seeks to identify a consultant to design and implement a planning process and to develop a written Prenatal to Three Initiative project plan. The project will serve vulnerable families and children prenatally to their third year. Required activities to include: Research, Community Engagement, Planning and Program Development, Funder Engagement and Report Writing. First 5 San Francisco and Bella Vista Foundation have jointly funded the $20,000 available for this project. The RFQ document is available at www.first5sf.org. Click here to download the complete RFQ (PDF) or just the forms (MS Word).

The Family Child Care Association of San Francisco is hosting a Disaster Preparedness Workshop on Friday, July 26, from 7-9pm. Check out their flyer for more info and location.

The August-September newsletter is now available in English, Spanish, or Chinese

Check out Rona Renner, Executive Director of Childhood Matters, Inc. and host of the Childhood Matters weekly talk show, talking about getting ready for Kindergarten on the View from the Bay. This was aired on Wednesday, July 18, 2007.

First 5 San Francisco awarded more than $200,000 towards 71 parent-led community groups. The Commission received more than 200 proposals, doubling the number of applicants from the previous cycle. Read the press release for more details and a list of grantees or go to the Parent ACTION section of this website.

The 2005 and 2006 Parent ACTION evaluation report has been released. To read or download the report click here.

Welcome to our updated website! We have updated our information and added more pages so that you can navigate our website easier. Please take a moment to explore the website. This is still a work in progress so if there are any broken links or missing information, please send us an email at admin@first5sf.org.