San Diego, CA (May 15, 2025) — In a critical move to protect early childhood development services in San Diego County, Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe proposed allocating $4.3 million in emergency funding to prevent devastating cuts to First 5 San Diego's Healthy Development Services (HDS) program. Supervisor Montgomery Steppe’s proposal seeks to use a portion of the Tobacco Securitization Special Revenue Fund, which is specifically designated for health-based programming.  

The proposed appropriation will preserve services through Fiscal Year 2025-26 while long-term funding solutions are developed. Without this supplemental funding, over 3,300 children and families will lose access to essential developmental and behavioral services in the upcoming fiscal year.  

“As Chair of First 5 San Diego, I know that this lack of funding is a children’s healthcare crisis," said Supervisor Montgomery Steppe. "The families who will be hurt the most are families of color, single-parent households, and our rural communities whose children are in critical need of help. These are the children who are developing on the margins and with families already stretched thin. If HDS is cut, they lose the only lifeline they have.”  

HDS provides developmental screenings, behavioral health therapy, care coordination, and family education for children from birth to age five. Over 60% of children served by HDS are on Medi-Cal, and the specific early intervention therapies provided by HDS are not covered by Medi-Cal or most private insurance. These services include early speech, physical and occupational therapy, behavioral health support, and parent coaching that builds capacity for lasting developmental progress.  

The proposed $4.3 million cut, triggered by declining Proposition 10 tax revenues, would lead to a 59% reduction in clinical behavioral service and a 50% reduction in developmental therapies. These losses ultimately mean more children missing the critical developmental window where interventions are most effective and least costly.  

“Early intervention works,” said Supervisor Montgomery Steppe. “We can invest now, or we can pay later in costs related to social supports, healthcare, poverty, and even incarceration. We owe our children better.”  

The Board of Supervisors will hear the proposal on Tuesday, May 20th, and needs four votes to pass. Read the full board letter here.