The Children and Families Commission (also known as First 5 San Francisco) was created in 1998 through the passage of Proposition 10, which established a tax of fifty cents on every tobacco product sold across California. Nearly $500 million in annual revenue comes from this tax. This revenue is distributed to First 5 California to support statewide education and outreach programs, and to Commissions in each county for local programs.  County commissions are funded in proportion to their regional birth rate. San Francisco receives approximately $6 million annually in Proposition 10 funds.

In 2022, First 5 San Francisco merged with the Office of Early Care and Education to form the Department of Early Childhood. The Children and Families Commission continues to have oversight over the City’s Proposition 10 funds.

Four seats on the Commission are reserved for representatives of City agencies:

• Director of Public Health, or designee
• General Manager of the Human Services Agency, or designee
• Member of the Board of Supervisors
• Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, or designee

The Commission’s remaining five seats are appointed by San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors to four-year terms and represent these community constituencies:

• County services for children, public health, behavioral health, social work or tobacco and substance abuse prevention and treatment
• Recipients of services provided by the County Strategic Plan
• Educators specializing in early childhood development
• Local childcare resources or referral agencies, or the Childcare Planning and Advisory Council
• Local organizations for prevention or early intervention for families at risk
• Community-based organizations for early childhood development
• San Francisco Unified School District
• Local medical, pediatric, or obstetric associations

The Children and Families commission is counseled by the Program and Fiscal Committees. The Program Committee reviews the performance of our programs and considers new initiatives. The Fiscal Committee oversees financial matters, including overall financial planning, our annual budget, and monitoring of expenses.