Proposition 10 Funds to Expand Early Childhood Mental Health Programs in Contra Costa
The Contra Costa Children and Families Commission awards $500,000 to treat children with emotional or behavioral problems

—Contact: Tracy Irwin 925/335-9991 ext. 13

MARTINEZ (May 7, 2002) — Yesterday the Contra Costa Children and Families Commission awarded $500,000 in Proposition 10 funds to expand mental health treatment services for children birth to age five with emotional or behavioral problems, such as learning disabilities or parent attachment issues.

Funds were allocated to a collaborative of four early childhood mental health agencies: We Care Mental Health Services, Early Childhood Mental Health Program, Lynn Center and Contra Costa County Mental Health Services. Commission funds will be used to treat children who do not have access to health insurance or are ineligible for existing funding sources.

“Prop 10 funds are working to insure that learning disabilities and mental health problems in young children are identified early on. The earlier problems are identified, the more likely a child is to receive the appropriate care that will allow him or her to thrive,” said Brenda Blasingame, executive director of the Contra Costa Children and Families Commission. “Expanding treatment services will improve the chances of children significantly and help provide them with a solid foundation for success in school and life.”

The four agencies receiving funds will work together to insure that more children are referred for screening and assessment earlier and that children and their families receive the appropriate treatment services from teams of child and family therapists, child development specialists and licensed social workers. The funded agencies will create a common screening and assessment tool in order to provide the same comprehensive treatment services for all children birth to age five in Contra Costa County. Service providers, such as physicians or preschool teachers, can refer a child for screening.

To date, the Commission has committed $1 million for programs that identify and treat emotional and behavioral problems in very young children, including $500,000 allocated for a program that provides free mental health consultation for children in a child care setting who are struggling with problems, such as the death of a parent.

“When childhood mental health problems go untreated, children become at great risk for abusing drugs and alcohol and dropping out of school,” said Blasingame.

In 1998, California voters approved Proposition 10, which levied a fifty-cent tax on each pack of cigarettes. Revenues generated are used to fund local health, child care and education programs that promote early childhood development for children during their first five years of life. Approximately $9 million will be allocated this year.