East County First 5 Center

Lincoln’s East County First 5 Center, operated in partnership with First 5 Contra Costa, provides the programs and resources needed for children and families to grow and thrive.

WHAT WE DO | OUR WHY | OUTCOMES | RESOURCES | CONTACT

What we do

Lincoln Families’ East County First 5 Center, operated in partnership with First 5 of Contra Costa County, is a community hub where individualized and responsive services are provided to holistically support families who are expecting and/or raising young children ages 0-5. It is a place for caregivers to come together to access information and tools to foster their ability to advocate for themselves and their families, build community, and strengthen outcomes. Services include:

Child Development Classes/Activities & Developmental Screening - Skilled teachers lead opportunities for parents and children to have fun and learn together in a classroom setting. Children engage in age-appropriate activities that develop their fine/gross motor skills, cognition, socialization, and literacy. Parents learn how to promote their children's development. Other activities where families can have fun, learn together, and get to know other families in their community include holiday and cultural festivities, educational field trips, and other social events. We also facilitate the Ages and Stages Questionnaire in order to monitor a child's milestones and development.

Parenting Support Groups & Education Classes - Caregivers engage in parent education, support groups, workshops and other classes that focus on topics that develop parenting skills and promote caregiver-child attachments. Parent education helps caregivers develop with their children by enhancing parenting skills and knowledge of child development. Parent support groups help caregivers find community, share challenges, celebrate successes, and get advice from others while increasing social connection.

Community Resources and Concrete Support - Our Community Resource Specialist team provides information and referral services for a variety of needs, including child care, child development, domestic violence prevention, education, employment/workforce skill development, food and clothing banks, health and wellness, legal services, and more. Staff also provide families guidance and support to access services and achieve goals related to parenting and family relationships. Finally, families can find in-house resources at Lincoln’s East County First 5 Center such as diapers, car seat safety checks, and a food pantry.

Parent Leadership and Engagement - Caregivers build capacity for engaging in and leading community service and advocacy about issues that affect East Contra Costa families. Leadership opportunities include joining our Community Advisory Council, social meetup leader, and parent liaison. Parents also have opportunities to volunteer around the center through a variety of ways.

Our Why

Families are their children’s first and most important teachers, especially with regard to the critical brain development that occurs during their first five years. Lincoln’s East County First 5 Center empowers and strengthens families by supporting attachment and bonding between parents and children. Through parent/child learning experiences, parents increase awareness of child social-emotional development, and learn practical concepts they can incorporate into their daily routines. Lincoln’s East County First 5 Center is a place for families to gather, increase social connections and be connected to concrete supports in times of need.