Voters To Decide Fate Of State Children's Program

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- It's a program that helps nearly 900,000 needy children each year, but time and money might be running out.

Mi Escuelita Preschool in Chula Vista is the only school of its kind in San Diego County for victims of domestic violence.

Paz Ovando recently adopted a child who attends Mi Escuelita, and is grateful for the help the school provides.

"I was new to all this. They referred me, and they showed me the way that I could handle him and also psychiatrists, psychologists, which are involved with the school also, in treatment of these children," said Ovando.

Ovando said San Diego needs more preschools like Mi Escuelita.

"These children, they have a lot of anger inside. They go into school, they're not accepted, they have problems with the school and then you get teenagers that are violent and you get the juvenile court filled with children," said Ovando.

Mi Escuelita is just one of the many programs funded by the First 5 California Commission. In 1998, voters approved a 50-cent tax on tobacco products to fund services for children during the first five years of life.

On May 19, voters will vote on Proposition 1D, which would take money away from the First 5 program, and give it to other health and human services programs for kids up to age 5.

State lawmakers said they hope this money will help balance the state budget.

"Who is to say how they're going to use it for these kids? We can't budget the state on the back of the children," said Patty Chavez, community relations director for South Bay Community Services.

Chavez said the money needs to stay with First 5.

"First 5 reaches almost 900,000 children at great risk throughout California. They help these kids so that it betters our future," said Chavez.

It is a future Chavez said will be decided when voters head to the polls on May 19.