• Tony Blair addresses the Santa Barbara Community
  • Engaged Preschool Teaching
  • CPR during a Masters of Disaster Lesson
  • School Food
  • Orfalea Early Childhood Director's Retreat
  • Jr. Chef Day
  • Kids Cook
  • Orfalea Outdoor Classroom Project
  • Local Harvest
  • Culinary Boot Camp
  • Paul speaks with President Bill Clinton
  • James Lee Witt speaks to Santa Barbara County
  • Learning Outdoors
  • Orfalea Early Childhood Directors Retreat
  • Main School Family Resource Center- Carpinteria, CA
  • Montana Yellowstone Expeditions
  • MYE Students hiking in Montana
  • Assemblyman Pedro Nava attends Preparedness Event
  • MYE Students at the Beach
  • Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center
  • Our Local Agriculture
  • Students eat food that they made
  • A Jr. Chef peels her tomato
  • A Jr. Chef peels his carrot
  • Playtime at local Family Resource Center
  • Playtime at local Family Resource Center
  • MYS Students visit the farm
  • Children at the farm
  • The Orfalea Family and Mr. Tony Blair
  • Getting creative outdoors
  • Junior Chefs checking out their final outcome
  • MYE Student having a good time
  • Student admiring local produce

Early Care

We define our commitment to Early Care by our support of programs that provide the resources, education and quality environments necessary for the healthy development of children aged zero to five and their families.

The Orfalea Foundations' Early Care priorities are:

  • To increase the quality of local preschools and other early care settings.
  • To increase access for underprivileged children to attend preschool and other programs that build "ready to learn" skills.
  • To increase staff quality and support at the preschools in our network of Orfalea Family Foundation California Centers.
  • To better the lives of children by increasing the quantity, quality and benefit of their outdoor experiences and environments.

First 5 California

The California Children and Families Act is a state-wide initiative devoted to early childhood development, child care, and health programs to enhance the ability of California’s children to reach their full potential.

"First 5 California," named to emphasize the importance of the first five years of a child's life, provides oversight, technical assistance and statewide education on the importance of child development to the 58 County Commissions.

The First 5 Santa Barbara County Children and Families Commission is committed to improving early childhood development programs, health care for children, and parental and caregiver support.

The Orfalea Foundations have partnered with First 5 Santa Barbara on a number of educational projects and initiatives.