SAN DIEGO -- Every parent could use a little guidance. That's why the First 5 Commission of San Diego, along with KGTV and KPBS, are supporting local programs that help parents raise quality kids.

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From home visits from nurses, to mobile eye exams, to soccer classes that get little feet moving, the First 5 Commission is funding programs that help local families raise children who are healthy and ready to learn when they start kindergarten. The commission targets children of all income brackets, aged zero to five.

One of the pivotal programs offers a free "kit for new parents," full of videotapes and information aimed at helping parents guide their children through every stage of development. "It helps both the child and the parent grow in ways that helps them explore the world better," explains Liz Creer, with the Kit for New Parents Program. Her organization distributed more than 43,000 of the free kids to new parents last year.

The First 5 Commission also supports the San Diego Childhood Asthma Initiative, which sends experts into the homes of asthmatic children to identify what's causing the attacks. The parents also learn how to manage their child's symptoms.

For poor and working parents who cannot get their children to the eye doctor or the dentist, the First 5 Commission funds several mobile health units. They bring doctors and nurses into central and southern San Diego, an important service to families living there. And while the patients are under the age of six, the check-ups they get now will serve them for years to come.

"You want to make sure that during that time they receive all of the care and services that they need so that in later life, they can become successful adults," explains G. Daniel Ordorica, with the San Ysidro Health Center.

The First 5 Commission focuses on more than physical health. In the coming months, 10News will show you how the First 5 Commission is helping parents foster better social and emotional growth in their children, and improving literacy throughout San Diego. Every parent could use a little guidance. That's why the First 5 Commission of San Diego, along with KGTV and KPBS, are supporting local programs that help parents raise quality kids.

From home visits from nurses, to mobile eye exams, to soccer classes that get little feet moving, the First 5 Commission is funding programs that help local families raise children who are healthy and ready to learn when they start kindergarten. The commission targets children of all income brackets, aged zero to five.

One of the pivotal programs offers a free "kit for new parents", full of videotapes and information aimed at helping parents guide their children through every stage of development. "It helps both the child and the parent grow in ways that helps them explore the world better," explains Liz Creer, with the Kit for New Parents Program. Her organization distributed more than 43,000 of the free kids to new parents last year.

The First 5 Commission also supports the San Diego Childhood Asthma Initiative, which sends experts into the homes of asthmatic children to identify what's causing the attacks. The parents also learn how to manage their child's symptoms.

For poor and working parents who cannot get their children to the eye doctor or the dentist, the First 5 Commission funds several mobile health units. They bring doctors and nurses into central and southern San Diego, an important service to families living there. And while the patients are under the age of six, the check-ups they get now will serve them for years to come.

"You want to make sure that during that time they receive all of the care and services that they need so that in later life, they can become successful adults," explains G. Daniel Ordorica, with the San Ysidro Health Center.

The First 5 Commission focuses on more than physical health. In the coming months, 10News will show you how the First 5 Commission is helping parents foster better social and emotional growth in their children, and improving literacy throughout San Diego.