First 5 San Bernardino
First 5 San Bernardino is a county-commissioned public agency established under California Proposition 10, providing free early childhood development programs, health resources, literacy campaigns, and family support services to parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5 throughout San Bernardino County.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSan Bernardino, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What First 5 San Bernardino does
First 5 San Bernardino is a county-commissioned public agency established in 1998 under California Proposition 10, which imposes a 50-cent per-pack tobacco tax to fund early childhood development programs. It operates as one of 58 county First 5 commissions under the First 5 California statewide network, serving parents, caregivers, and children ages 0-5 throughout San Bernardino County — California's largest county by area. The organization's mandate spans four initiative pillars: Early Learning, Family Support, Child Health, and Systems coordination, delivered through community-based campaigns such as Gift a Kid a Book, Kid Safe Summer, and Little Me, Big Responsibility, plus resource distribution including Kits for New Parents and the Milestones newsletter.
The entity does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its digital infrastructure consists of a WordPress website, GovDelivery e-subscription system, ArcGIS community events dashboard, and social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and X. It distributes the third-party Footsteps2Brilliance literacy app as a partner resource and coordinates with a broad partner network including the San Bernardino County Library System's 32 branches, Child Care Resource Center, Reach Out and Read, Help Me Grow Inland Empire, Smile SBC, and the County Department of Public Health. All services are provided free of charge to families; the organization has no consumer revenue model and is funded entirely through Proposition 10 tobacco tax allocations distributed by the state.
Operationally, First 5 San Bernardino runs with a small staff of 11-50 employees from its San Bernardino headquarters at 735 E. Carnegie Drive, and is governed by a county commission with an advisory committee. Recent leadership transitions include the March 2026 retirement of Executive Director Karen Scott after 18 years and the December 2025 appointment of CFO Samuel Wong. As a public agency, the entity is not subject to typical venture or M&A investment dynamics; its strategic direction is governed by a published 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and constrained by the structural decline of tobacco tax revenues statewide.
First 5 San Bernardino firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First 5 San Bernardino
- Legal name
- First 5 San Bernardino
- Website
- https://first5sanbernardino.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- First 5 San Bernardino is a county-commissioned public agency established under California Proposition 10, providing free early childhood development programs, health resources, literacy campaigns, and family support services to parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5 throughout San Bernardino County.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First 5 San Bernardino industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Early Childhood Development Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (6244), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5) (EDACAFAA), Health, Safety & Hygiene Early Learning Content (EDAGACAH)
Keywords
Where First 5 San Bernardino is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Bernardino
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
First 5 San Bernardino business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Proposition 10 Tobacco Tax Funding: As a county First 5 commission, the organization receives funding through California's Proposition 10, which established a 50-cent per pack tax on cigarettes to fund early childhood development programs. This serves as the primary ongoing funding source for operations and community grants.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
First 5 San Bernardino product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First 5 San Bernardino is a county-commissioned public agency that provides free early childhood development programs, resources, and awareness campaigns for children ages 0-5 and their families throughout San Bernardino County. Its core offerings include four initiative areas (Early Learning, Family Support, Child Health, and Systems), public awareness campaigns (Gift a Kid a Book, Kid Safe Summer, Little Me Big Responsibility), distribution of Kits for New Parents, and educational publications like the Milestones newsletter.
Product overview
First 5 San Bernardino is a county-wide early childhood initiative operating as a single-purpose organization rather than a technology product company. The organization provides a portfolio of community programs, public health campaigns, and family support services focused on children ages 0-5. The core offerings include four initiative areas (Early Learning, Family Support, Child Health, and Systems), three major public awareness campaigns (Gift a Kid a Book for literacy, Kid Safe Summer for safety, and Little Me, Big Responsibility for child health), resource distribution (Kits for New Parents), and educational publications (Milestones newsletter). These programs work together to support healthy child development, family stability, and school readiness across San Bernardino County.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gift a Kid a Book A literacy initiative addressing the student literacy crisis in San Bernardino County since the global pandemic, promoting shared reading between parents or caregivers and children ages 0-5.
- Kid Safe Summer A summer safety campaign focusing on water safety, heat safety, and on-the-move safety for children ages 0-5, including swimming lessons and CPR classes.
- Little Me, Big Responsibility A child health campaign promoting early childhood nutrition, pediatric oral health, and well-child checkups for children ages 0-5.
- Early Learning Initiative Early learning programs and resources for children ages 0-5, supporting school readiness and developmental milestones.
- Family Support Initiative Family support services providing resources and assistance for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5.
- Child Health Initiative Child health programs focusing on nutrition, oral health, and wellness resources for young children.
- Systems Initiative Systems initiatives working to improve coordination and access to services for children and families across San Bernardino County.
- Kits for New Parents Free kits provided to new parents containing essential items and resources for caring for children ages 0-5, distributed through the partner network.
- Milestones Newsletter A periodic newsletter published by First 5 San Bernardino featuring program updates, community stories, and resource highlights for families.
Quantifiable outcome
- 63% of county's kindergartners have experienced tooth decay - First 5 San Bernardino works to reduce this through oral health education
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use First 5 San Bernardino
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
First 5 San Bernardino technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
First 5 San Bernardino partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Quality Start San Bernardino CountycoreCollaborative partner helping parents find quality early care and education programs for their children. Quality Start provides ratings and information to help families select appropriate childcare and preschool options.
- Child Care Resource Center (CCRC)coreOne-stop resource for all things related to early care and education, including help obtaining child care financial assistance. Hosts play groups and community events featured on First 5's Sunday Shout-Outs calendar.
- Footsteps2BrilliancecoreFree literacy tool providing foundational proficiency for early learners. The app delivers a seven-month literacy skill gain when used for just 15 minutes per day for one month.
- Reach Out and ReadcoreProvides young children in Riverside and San Bernardino County a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care. Offers free developmental and risk screenings for families.
- San Bernardino County Library Systemcore32 branch libraries providing free books, technology, programs and services. First 5 partners with libraries to promote year-round reading and literacy access for county families.
- Help Me Grow Inland EmpirecoreEarly intervention support organization helping families access developmental screenings and resources. Partners on at-home screening checklists and activity resources for tracking child development from two months old through early childhood.
- Smile SBC (San Bernardino County Oral Health Program)coreFeatured oral health partner helping families find dentists and promoting pediatric oral health. Combines with First 5's Little Me, Big Responsibility child health campaign. 63% of county kindergartners have experienced tooth decay - Smile SBC works to address this crisis.
- First 5 CaliforniacoreStatewide parent resource network linking to First 5 California parenting website, parent guide, and Stronger Starts campaign. San Bernardino is one of 58 county First 5 commissions in California's network.
- CalKIDSminorCalifornia's children savings account program referenced as a resource for parents. Helps families learn about educational savings opportunities for children.
- San Bernardino County Department of Public HealthcoreGovernment partner for child health initiatives including car seat safety classes, pediatric clinic locations, and oral health program coordination (Smile SBC).
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
First 5 San Bernardino competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- First 5 Los Angeles: The largest of California's 58 county First 5 commissions, operating with a substantially larger budget and a similar Proposition 10 mandate to fund early childhood programs for ages 0-5. Directly comparable in structure, funding mechanism, and service portfolio.
- First 5 California: The statewide umbrella organization that links all 58 county commissions and operates the statewide parenting website, parent guide, and Stronger Starts campaign. Acts as both First 5 San Bernardino's parent network and a direct peer in early childhood advocacy.
- First 5 Riverside: Neighboring county commission serving Riverside County under the same Proposition 10 funding model. Operates with similar programs (developmental screening, family support, literacy) in a comparable Inland Empire demographic context.
- First 5 San Diego: Another large-county First 5 commission delivering Proposition 10-funded early childhood programs across health, learning, and family support. Directly comparable in mandate, programs, and funding mechanism.
- First 5 Santa Clara: Bay Area county commission operating the same Prop 10-funded 0-5 mandate. Comparable in structure, with a strong emphasis on systems-change work and provider capacity-building.
Emerging players
- Child Care Resource Center (CCRC): Core strategic partner of First 5 San Bernardino providing childcare financial assistance, play groups, and community events. Operates a related but distinct mission (childcare access) in the same early-childhood ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Reach Out and Read: National nonprofit that partners with First 5 San Bernardino to integrate books into pediatric care and provide developmental screenings. Comparable in mission (early literacy + developmental screening) but operates at national scale rather than county-bounded.
Regional players
- Help Me Grow Inland Empire: Regional affiliate of the national Help Me Grow network, partnering with First 5 San Bernardino on developmental screening referrals and at-home screening checklists for children 0-5. Comparable in early intervention focus and developmental screening mission.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
First 5 San Bernardino social profiles
Digital presenceFirst 5 San Bernardino financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First 5 San Bernardino leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
First 5 San Bernardino funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First 5 San Bernardino M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First 5 San Bernardino
What does First 5 San Bernardino do?
First 5 San Bernardino is a county-commissioned public agency that provides free early childhood development programs, resources, and awareness campaigns for children ages 0-5 and their families throughout San Bernardino County. Its core offerings include four initiative areas (Early Learning, Family Support, Child Health, and Systems), public awareness campaigns (Gift a Kid a Book, Kid Safe Summer, Little Me Big Responsibility), distribution of Kits for New Parents, and educational publications like the Milestones newsletter.
Is First 5 San Bernardino a public or private company?
First 5 San Bernardino is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was First 5 San Bernardino founded?
First 5 San Bernardino was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is First 5 San Bernardino based?
First 5 San Bernardino is headquartered in San Bernardino, United States, in the North America region.
How does First 5 San Bernardino make money?
One revenue line is on record: proposition 10 Tobacco Tax Funding.
Who are First 5 San Bernardino's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are First 5 Los Angeles, First 5 California, First 5 Riverside, First 5 San Diego and First 5 Santa Clara. Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is listed as an emerging player. Reach Out and Read is listed as a broad incumbent. Help Me Grow Inland Empire is listed as a regional player.
Does First 5 San Bernardino have an API?
No public API is recorded for First 5 San Bernardino.
What industry is First 5 San Bernardino in?
First 5 San Bernardino's product category is Early Childhood Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAA, Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDACAFAA, Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5). Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.