Children and Families Commission Records, 1999-2002

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Summary

Title:
California Children and Families Commission Records
Dates:
1999-2002
Creators:
California Children and Families Commission
Abstract:
The records of the California Children and Families Commission (CCFC) include 3 feet of textual records covering the years 1999 to 2002. The majority of the records consist of meeting files, detailing the Commission's monthly meetings from October 1999 to November 2002.
Extent:
3 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Children and Families Commission Records, R391.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the California Children and Families Commission (CCFC) include 3 feet of textual records covering the years 1999 to 2002. The majority of the records consist of meeting files, detailing the Commission's monthly meetings from October 1999 to November 2002. Meeting files from October 1999 to December 2001 are comprehensive, including agendas of upcoming meetings, minutes of past meetings, funding proposals from local government agencies and nonprofit organizations, legislative bill analyses by the CCFC staff, and budget documents from the Governor's office. However, files from March to September 1999, and from January to November 2002, consist only of agendas and minutes, and are thus not as comprehensive or informative.

Also included are meeting files, consisting solely of agendas and minutes, of three advisory committees which worked under the Commission during this time period - the Advisory Committee on Diversity, the Guidelines Advisory Committee, and the Technical Assistance Advisory Committee. Although less comprehensive, the minutes of these meetings do provide crucial information about these committees' duties and responsibilities.

This collection will be of interest to researchers looking into how statewide programs for early childhood development are adopted and implemented, as well as how statewide agencies interact with their local (county and city) counterparts.

Biographical / historical:

The California Children and Families Commission (CCFC) is also known variously as the California Children and Families First State Commission, or as First 5 California. In November 1998, voters passed Proposition 10, which created the California Children and Families First Program, with the CFCC as its governing board. Funding for the program comes from tax on cigarettes of 50 cents per pack, and on other tobacco products as well. Proposition 10 was approved by a margin of 50.5 to 49.5 percent; its primary backer was filmmaker and activist Rob Reiner, who later became the Commission chairman.

According to its bylaws, the State Commission's official purpose is "promoting, supporting, and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age." Proposition 10 gave the Commission a specific set of twelve functions: dissemination of public information and educational materials regarding early childhood development to members of the public and professionals; adopting guidelines for an integrated and comprehensive statewide early childhood development program; collecting data to measure the results achieved by the adopted guidelines; providing for independent research on the effectiveness of the adopted guidelines and on other programs for early childhood development; solicitation of input from professionals in the field of early childhood development; providing technical assistance to county commissions in early childhood development programs; reviewing the annual audits and reports of the county commissions; applying for grants, gifts, donations, or contributions to the state program; entering into contracts to carry about the provisions of Proposition 10; advising the Governor and the Legislature about proposals for state laws, regulations or services and how they affect early childhood development.

One of the Commission's main areas of focus has been education. Although it provides no educational services directly, the CCFC makes provisions for children in need which it believes will help them get a better education, beginning before they enter preschool. Two ways in which it does this are by providing information about health services, so that children begin school with proper immunizations and do not pose a health risk to other students; and by helping facilitate access to family counseling, so that children from emotionally distressed homes can succeed in school.

The CCFC also provides information to parents on how to raise children in a healthy environment at home, by educating them about the need for proper nutrition and exercise, and through an extensive public relations campaign to discourage the use of tobacco products.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the records of the California Children and Families Commission according to state law.
Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by David O'Brien
Date Prepared:
© 2009
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by David O'Brien. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 01 June 2009.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Children and Families Commission Records, R391.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website