County Receives Funds for Child Health, Education Programs

Stanislaus County in 2006 received $8.5 million for early childhood health and education programs from a state tobacco tax, the Modesto Bee reports. California voters in 1998 approved the 50-cent tax, proceeds of which are administered by county First 5 commissions.

Stanislaus County uses its share of the revenue to fund:

Healthy Cubs initiative, which provides health care visits for children from households with incomes that do not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level;
10 family resource centers, which offer health insurance enrollment, health and mental health evaluations, referrals for services and other programs;
Safety programs; and
Child care development services.

Stanislaus County expects $7.87 million in revenue from the tax for fiscal year 2006-2007 and plans to spend $11.3 million, using a surplus from previous years to offset the balance.

The tax generated about $700 million statewide in 2006.

Ken Patterson, chair of the Stanislaus County Children & Families Commission and director of the county Community Services Agency, said the funds are distributed to counties based on the number of live births (Moran, Modesto Bee, 11/22). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.