First Five Sacramento Commission Meeting - August 4, 2025

The August 4, 2025, First Five Sacramento Commission meeting focused on strategic planning for upcoming funding reductions and a detailed review of the decade-long effort to reduce African American child deaths. New commissioners Eric Guerra and Shelby Boston were introduced and welcomed. The commission received committee reports, approved a revised budget and committee appointments, and heard a presentation on planning for a 20% reduction in future funds. A major presentation on the Reducing African American Child Deaths (RAACD) initiative included program outcomes, countywide data trends, and emotional testimony from program participants and service providers.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the draft action summary from June 2, 2025 (Roll call vote: Ayes: Cerna, Wesley, Williams, Gordon, Guerra, Katari, Moak).

Executive Director's Report

• Equity in Action Committee: An update was given on the participatory grant-making process distributing over $4 million.
• Parent Partnership Summit: Over 70 parent leaders gathered in June, with Commissioners Wesley and Guerra participating.
• Potter the Otter Museum Exhibit: A kickoff event is scheduled for August 19th.
• Sacramento International Airport Child Care Center: First Five is exploring a partnership to conduct a feasibility study for an on-site childcare center, potentially requiring a $1-2 million initial investment.
• State/Federal Budget Impacts: Staff are monitoring potential impacts on children and family services and participating in advocacy workgroups.

Advisory Committee & Appointments

• The advisory committee met on June 13th, reviewing the budget and strategic planning. The commission unanimously approved four appointments to the committee (Roll call vote: Ayes: Wesley, Williams, Gordon, Guerra, Katari, Moak).

Committee Updates (Evaluation, Financial Planning, Systems Optimization)

• Evaluation Committee: Plans to revamp the annual report into a shorter, more accessible format (15-20 pages) with a separate data book.
• Financial Planning Committee: Approved the revised FY 2025-26 budget and 10-year financial plan. Due to higher-than-expected carry-forward funds, the projected reduction for the 2027 strategic plan was improved from 22.4% to 20%.
• Systems Optimization Committee: Received updates on advocacy activities and the Equity in Action committee.

Strategic Planning & Funding Allocation

• Staff presented the implementation plan and strategy prioritization timeline for the 2024-2027 period, facing a 20% funding reduction.
• Commissioners discussed the need to incorporate input from immigrant communities targeted by federal policies, strengthen partnerships with health systems and other agencies, and potentially "reinvent" service delivery models.
• Staff proposed adding a new foundational principle to prioritize funds that support First Five's internal infrastructure to execute its evolving mission.

Evaluation of Efforts to Reduce African-American Child Deaths

• Program Highlights:
  • Black Mothers United (BMU): 84% of participants had at least one health/socioeconomic risk factor. For the fifth consecutive year, there were zero newborn deaths at program exit. The infant mortality rate for BMU participants (4.1/1,000 births) was lower than the countywide African American rate (12.0/1,000).
  • Birth & Beyond Family Resource Centers: Participants showed increased parenting skills, protective factors, and access to resources through home visiting and case management programs.
  • Safe Sleep Baby Campaign: Over 1,000 caregivers received education; African American participants were significantly more likely to report always putting babies to sleep on their backs after the workshop.
• Countywide Data (2020-2022): The presentation covered data from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely impacted trends.
  • Overall Infant Deaths: The African American infant mortality rate was 12.0 per 1,000 births, an 11% net increase from the baseline. The disparity gap between African American infants and all others increased by 8%.
  • Perinatal Conditions: The rate spiked, now exceeding the baseline.
  • Sleep-Related Deaths: A slight increase was noted, largely due to an anomaly of 7 deaths in 2021 (vs. an average of 3). The disparity gap decreased by 32%, but African Americans still experience these deaths at 5.5 times the rate of all others.
  • Child Abuse & Neglect (CAN) Homicides (0-5): The reduction goal was exceeded, with a 57% decrease in the disparity gap. However, CAN homicides of African American children occurred at 4 times the rate of all others.
• Community & Partner Testimony:
  • Staff from Heart Health First's BMU program expressed a range of emotions regarding the increased infant death data but emphasized commitment to the fight.
  • A father shared how the Black Child Legacy Campaign's concrete needs program provided wraparound support (housing, groceries, counseling) after his son was severely injured.
  • A young mother and program participant thanked the commission for supporting services that help break generational cycles.
  • Leaders from Mutual Assistance Network stressed that outcomes would be worse without the funded interventions and highlighted the holistic, trust-based approach of their work.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Approved the June 2, 2025, draft action summary (Unanimous).
  • Approved four appointments to the Advisory Committee (Unanimous).
  • Approved the FY 2025-26 revised recommended budget and 10-year financial plan (Unanimous).
• Directives & Next Steps:
  • Staff will incorporate commissioner feedback into strategic planning, specifically regarding outreach to immigrant communities and exploring new partnerships.
  • The commission will receive a community trend report and phase one community research in October 2025.
  • The Black Child Legacy Campaign is developing a new strategic plan, informed by community input, to move beyond response toward building healthy, thriving communities and eliminating disparities.