Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Approves 2026–2031 Measure I Funding Allocations
On December 16th, 2025, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a five-year allocation plan for Measure I funding as part of First 5 Sonoma County’s 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, a significant milestone in the county’s commitment to young children and families. The new plan is a bold roadmap for investing $150 million to scale, strengthen and improve access to systems and programs that serve young children and their families, especially those at the margins of opportunity, with the goal that all Sonoma County’s youngest children may reach their full potential.
First 5 Sonoma County, an independent public agency, developed the plan in partnership with parents, providers, and community leaders, including the Board-appointed Measure I Community Advisory Council, expanding on First 5’s long-standing efforts to promote optimal child development while seizing and maximizing new opportunities. Most notably, Measure I, a countywide quarter percent sales tax approved by voters in November 2024, established a dedicated, sustainable funding stream to be administered by First 5. Investments of these funds will support and expand the workforce and strengthen programs and systems that provide child care, promote children’s healthy development and support perinatal mental health. The plan leverages and integrates Measure I with California Proposition 10 tobacco tax funds into one coordinated investment approach benefiting children, from prenatal to age five. First 5 Sonoma County has administered Prop. 10 funding since 1999 to promote optimal child development through the county.
“This strategic plan reflects both continuity and a bold new vision, made possible by the trust and support of Sonoma County voters,” said First 5 Sonoma County’s Executive Director Angie-Dillon Shore. “Measure I allows us to take thoughtful, strategic, long-term action to strengthen systems that have been inadequately resourced for decades while also ensuring we can respond to pressing community needs.”
While acknowledging that available resources must be carefully and transparently stewarded, the plan maintains a steadfast commitment to equity and intentionally centers children and families who are positioned furthest from economic and educational opportunity. “When systems work for those on the margins, they work better for everyone.” said Angie Dillon-Shore.
2026–2031 First 5 Strategic Plan Goals & Strategies
Priority Area 1: Healthy Children
Strengthen service coordination and expand access to dyadic, wraparound care
Bolster the county’s workforce in perinatal and early childhood health, lactation support, and doula care.
Fund services to be provided where children and families live, work and play
Priority Area 2: Thriving Families
Invest in place-based resource hubs and networks.
Build on local infrastructure and programming to strengthen parent leadership.
Support community-based programming that promotes nurturing caregiving and mitigates the impacts of children’s stress and trauma.
Priority Area 3: Early Care and Education
Expand access to high quality early learning for families.
Strengthen and support the early childhood workforce.
Improve the quality of early learning environments.
Invest in safe and sustainable early learning settings.
Priority Area 4: Community as Champions
Implement culturally responsive communications strategies.
Sponsor community events and special projects.
Address barriers to engagement through stipends and reimbursements.
Advance cross-sector advocacy and partnerships.
Reserve funding to rapidly respond to unforeseen community needs.
“This plan embodies our values: leading with integrity, stewarding public resources responsibly, and honoring the voices of families, providers, and partners. Together, we can ensure that every child in Sonoma County has the strongest possible start in life.” said Angie Dillon-Shore.
In mid-2025, the Commission allocated $10 million in Measure I–supported “early investments”, including a one-time incentive payment to child care providers, grants to expand and maintain child care facilities, and an expansion of workforce development efforts to increase access to child and perinatal mental health clinicians. With the new plan finalized, First 5 Sonoma will build on this momentum and plans to release new funding opportunities starting in spring 2026.
About First 5 Sonoma County
First 5 Sonoma County invests in the healthy development of children prenatal to age five and strengthens the systems that serve them. Through partnerships, community investments, and advocacy, First 5 works to ensure all children are healthy, ready to learn, and supported in thriving families and communities.