About F5 Mendocino
Our Vision
Mendocino County will have cohesive and resilient communities where all children have equitable access to quality services, support, and opportunities that they need in order to reach their full potential.
Our Mission
In partnership with our community, we strengthen and nurture early childhood systems that promote optimal health and development, narrow disparities, and improve the lives of children through education, support, and advocacy.
F5 Mendocino Values
Core values describe what is important to us as we carry out our work.
Integrity
We uphold our dedication to creating a space and community where children and families are a priority.
Transparency
We strive to create open and honest communication to build trust with our team, partners, and community.
Equity
We aim to create social and systemic change that facilitates access and opportunities to uplift those who are most impacted.
Empowerment
We recognize the value, strengths, and knowledge of individuals, families, and partners and seek to support their growth, development, and economic health.
Collaborations
We recognize and enhance the skills, passions, and abilities to support our community and partners through the power of shared values, combined goals, and targeted strategies to amplify our efforts.
Accountability
We provide high-quality content, informed by the experience and knowledge of our team, partners, and community to cultivate consistent improvements through data and encouraged feedback.
Adaptability
We are flexible and responsive to the needs of our team, partners, and community.
Culture
We strive to create a space to cultivate respect for diversity in people and communities.
Why the First 5 Years?
Prenatal through the first five years of a child’s life are the foundation for their future physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Through a body of multidisciplinary studies over the course of more than a decade, there is now a consensus among clinicians and researchers that prenatal through the first 5 years of a child’s development are crucial to determining wellness, future health outcomes, and even lifespan. This brief developmental period will determine their baseline ability to cope with stress, how well a person can focus their attention, regulate their emotions, plan for the future, and have empathy for others. When children are raised in a well-resourced family and community, these early experiences interact with genetics to provide the best opportunity for them to thrive, first in school and then in life.
