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Supervisors approve $4.3M one‑time transfer to preserve First 5 Healthy Development Services for infants and young children
Summary
To prevent a large reduction in developmental and behavioral services for children age 0–5, the Board approved a one‑time transfer from the Tobacco Special Revenue Fund to sustain Healthy Development Services for one year while the county seeks longer‑term solutions.
On May 20 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a request by Supervisor Montgomery Stepp to transfer $4.3 million from the county’s Tobacco Special Revenue Fund to temporarily sustain Healthy Development Services (HDS), the First 5 San Diego program that provides free developmental and behavioral screening, family coaching and short‑term treatment for children from birth through age 5.
Supervisor Montgomery Stepp described HDS as a “safety net” that fills gaps not covered by insurance or by other early‑intervention programs, noting that the program serves high‑need families and that cuts would remove services during a critical developmental window. She said First 5 has funded HDS since 2006 and that an anticipated statewide decline in Prop 10 revenues — a principal funding source for First 5 programs — would reduce HDS capacity by about 38% without interim support.
First 5 San Diego and providers told the board that program outcomes include high rates of family engagement and measurable improvement in children who receive HDS treatment. Multiple pediatricians, early‑childhood providers and First 5 officials — including HDS managers who addressed the board — urged the supervisors to act to prevent program reductions that would increase waitlists and leave children without timely screening and treatment.
The board vote authorizes a 1‑time transfer to bridge the fiscal gap while county and First 5 pursue longer‑term state and philanthropic remedies. Supervisor Desmond, while supporting the item, urged the county and First 5 to develop a sustainable plan when the one‑time funds lapse.
The motion carried unanimously.
