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Madera County reappoints pediatrician to First Five and hears one-year Dolly Parton Imagination Library update
Summary
The Board reappointed longtime pediatrician Dr. Nas to the First Five Madera County commission and received a one-year report on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library: 2,341 children registered (22% of eligible), 17,385 books mailed and program costs partly offset by a state match under SB 1183.
The Madera County Board of Supervisors unanimously reappointed Dr. Nas to serve as the county’s community representative to the First Five Madera County Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2029.
Monica Ramirez, executive director of First Five Madera County, told the board Dr. Nas has served “since its inception,” noting his four decades in pediatric medicine and leadership of Madera Medical Group. Supervisors praised his years of service: Supervisor Gonzalez said Dr. Nas “has served over 25 years on this board” and highlighted that he is one of the county’s pediatrician-members; Chair McCauley and others described his long-standing contributions. Dr. Nas thanked the board and said he has been privileged to serve the community for decades.
The board approved the reappointment and a small proclamation recognizing Dr. Nas’s service.
First Five staff also presented a one-year update on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a free early-literacy program that mails age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth through age five. Diane Sandaval, project director, reported that out of an estimated 10,763 eligible children in Madera County (April 2025 snapshot), 2,341 were registered in the program during year one — about 22 percent of the eligible population — producing 17,385 mailed books and 294 children who aged out (graduated) during the year.
Sandaval outlined a geographic and language breakdown showing the highest concentration in the 93638 ZIP code (combined with nearby 93637 and 93636 in some internal maps) and said the program currently distributes books in English and Spanish. She said the program’s full-year cost is $46,121; with the state match under Senate Bill 1183 (authored by Senator Shannon Grove) the local share drops to $22,743. Sandaval noted a per-child cost of $260, or $130 after the 50 percent state match, and provided examples ("With $2,000 at $130 we could fund 128 children for one year, equating to 1,538 books").
Board members and staff discussed outreach strategies and suggested placing program materials in the government center display case and continuing countywide registration events and targeted advertising to raise enrollment. No policy action was required; staff said they will continue outreach and return with updates.
What’s next: First Five will continue site-based registration, billboards and digital campaigns and said a short video highlighting a local participating family is available on First Five social channels.
