Connect. Reflect. Act.
Monday, February 5 - Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel &
The California Endowment - Sacramento, CA
Connect with colleagues and state officials, celebrate policy wins, hear about future Association plans, and share groundbreaking REDI and systems change practices.
- 00Days
- 00Hours
- 00Minutes
- 00Seconds
- 00Days
- 00Hours
- 00Minutes
- 00Seconds
Keynote Speaker
Elliot Haspel
Author of Crawling Behind: America's Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It and Senior Fellow at the think tank Capita
Elliot Haspel is a child & family policy expert and commentator.
He specializes in early care & education issues and the intersection between early childhood development and climate change. Elliot is the author of Crawling Behind: America’s Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It as well as several policy reports. He has appeared on television as an analyst, including on The PBS Newshour with Judy Woodruff and MSNBC’S American Voices with Alicia Menendez.
His writings have appeared in a variety of top publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. In 2021, Elliot was invited to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives on the care economy. Elliot holds an B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and an M.Ed. in Education Policy from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. He lives in Colorado with his spouse and two daughters.
Event Speakers & Facilitators
Seasoned nonprofit CEO. An attorney and children’s advocate with more than twenty-five years of legal and non-profit executive experience.
The Director of Government Affairs for First 5 Association with experience in directing local and statewide legislative, budget and administrative advocacy work.
The Director of Finance and Operations for First 5 Association of California, overseeing operations and fiscal processes for the organization and projects.
Founder and Principal of Leading Edge Advisors, a social-sector consultancy providing strategic learning, community impact, equity, and organizational improvement.
An independent consultant, coach and thought partner working with individual leaders, community and civic organizations and multi-organizational efforts.
The Executive Director of First 5 Fresno County (F5FC) and also serves as the President for the First 5 Association of California’s Executive Board.
Executive Director for the First 5 Association of California, leading the strategy and direction of the Association, which represents the 58 county First 5 commissions.
A facilitator, leadership coach and organizational development consultant, Eliza is also the founder and Chief Integrity Officer at Circles International.
First 5 Sacramento Commissioner, Director of Government Relations for Child Care Resource Center (CCRA) with 25 years of ECE experience.
The first woman of color as Executive Director of First
5 California. Bringing more than three decades of experience working as a family advocate.
Event Agenda
This year, we will follow our Annual Meeting with Advocacy Day 2024, which will be held in person for the first time since 2019.
Connect
Monday, February 5, 2024
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
Home Visiting Coordination Regional Meetings
Facilitated by Home Visiting Coordination regional leads or designees
These meetings provide opportunities for Home Visiting Coordination regions to meet and discuss current projects and progress.
Who should attend?
First 5 commissioners and staff who are engaged in First 5 California’s Home Visiting Coordination grant implementation.
2:30 PM
Regional Meetings + Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Focus
Facilitated by First 5 Association Regional Representatives
This annual tradition provides space for First 5 colleagues to connect in their geographic regions and discuss top of mind issues for their commissions, best practices, plans for the year, and other relevant topics. This year, the Regional Meetings gathering will have an intentional focus on discussing REDI successes, challenges, and questions within the regions. This session is facilitated by the First 5 Association Regional Representatives who sit on the Association Board and First 5 commissioners and staff from all disciplines are invited to attend.
Who should attend?
First 5 commissioners and staff who want to connect with colleagues in their region and discuss REDI successes, challenges, and questions.
4:00 PM
First 5 Leadership Network Cohort Gathering
Facilitated by Kristine Dobson and Avo Makdessian
This informal gathering will welcome Cohort 4 leaders into the First 5 Leadership Network (F5LN) and with a discussion on how F5LN members can practice statewide inclusivity, common projects, focus areas for alumni, and future gatherings.
Who should attend?
First 5 Leadership Network alumni, Cohorts 1 – 4
4:00 PM
Fiscal Workgroup
This informal gathering will create a space for participants in the First 5 Network Fiscal Workgroup to meet and discuss relevant topics of the day, including but not limited to: audits, projects, hands on learning, financial reports, contract management, maximizing revenue streams and other emerging challenges.
Who should attend?
Fiscal staff, Contracts staff, Executive Directors and any other staff who want to connect with the fiscal workgroup.
Reflect
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
8:00 AM
Registration Opens
Breakfast
9:00 AM
Welcome
LaWanda Wesley Ed.D, First 5 Sacramento Commissioner & Director of Government Relations for Child Care Resource Center, Land Acknowledgement
Fabiola Gonzalez, President, First 5 Association Board
Katie Albright, Chairperson, First 5 California Commission
9:30 AM
Keynote: National Perspectives on the Early Childhood Field, Childcare, and Shaping Policy Discussions
Elliot Haspel, Journalist and Author
Elliot Haspel is a nationally recognized child and family policy expert and commentator, with specialties in early childhood and education issues, as well as the linkage between childhood and climate. He is the author of Crawling Behind: America’s Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It. Elliot will provide the First 5 Network his perspectives on the state of early childhood policy progress, dialogue, and mental models in American politics and culture and provide insights on policy areas that are ripe for further advocacy.
Who should attend?
As a plenary keynote we encourage all Annual Meeting attendees to participate.
10:30 AM
10:45 AM
The Future of the First 5 Network – Shared Priorities and Expectations
Linda Fowells, Independent Network Coach and Consultant
Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Executive Director, First 5 California
Avo Makdessian, Executive Director, First 5 Association of California
This interactive session will feature the power of the First 5 Network which includes 60 organizations (First 5 California, First 5 Association, and 58 First 5 County Commissions) and their various strengths, ambitions, challenges and constraints. Specifically focusing on the priorities that bind the Network and how Network members operate together to reach our collective goals.
Who should attend?
First 5 commissioners and staff
12:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Measuring Success – Measuring Success: An Equity Orientation to Facts and Data
Shamsah Ebrahim, Ph.D., Owner/Principal, Leading Edge Advisors
Ready to shake things up a bit? This session will take an equity-focused approach to data and evaluation that challenges traditional norms on what is viewed as truth, and what counts as evidence. It will introduce new ways to think about how we define, measure and communicate success, using examples and tools that can be put into use immediately.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in defining, measuring, and communicating the success of First 5 programs, practices and policies. First 5 commissioners and staff focused on strategic planning, community programs and sustainability should attend.
2:00 PM
2:15 PM
Preventing Burnout, Building Resilience and Sustainability
Circles International
The work of First 5s is only as impactful as the wellness and resilience of its leaders. This session will provide insights, frameworks, and tools to avoid burnout and practice wellness to ensure First 5 leaders are at their best to support children, families, and systems change.
Who should attend?
First 5 commissioners and staff
3:15 PM
First 5 Association Address and Recognitions
Avo Makdessian
Association Executive Director will provide a reflection of 2023 and preview focus areas for 2024. In addition, we will recognize outgoing Association Board members for their leadership contributions and welcome new Association Officers and Board members for 2024.
Who should attend?
As a plenary address all Annual Meeting attendees should participate.
4:00 PM
6:00 PM
Act
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
The California Endowment
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
Advocacy Day Instructions
Courtney Armstrong
10:00 AM
12:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Registration Process & Fees
January 5, 2024 is the last day to register for First 5 Association’s Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day.
$620
No. The registration fee for the Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day must be paid by credit card through Eventbrite when you register to attend.
The registration fee includes: participation in Annual Meeting sessions, Advocacy Day activities, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Tuesday, breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, and associated collateral for the event.
No.
Hotel rooms reserved through First 5 Association’s block will be $215 per night, plus tax and fees. Contact the hotel at (916) 447-1700 to obtain current room tax and fee rates.
Register for your hotel rooms using this First 5 Association block link. Room reservations are not being offered through Eventbrite this year. Once the room block sells out, we encourage you to book through the hotel directly, either by calling (916) 447-1700 or through their website.
Subject to hotel availability. We recommend calling the hotel and asking if they will honor the block rate for your extended stay.
No.
No. Parking costs are not covered by First 5 Association. Valet parking will be available for a discounted rate of $35 per day for members who have booked a room at Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. For The California Endowment, parking will be available in nearby public lots.
Yes, attendees will be directly responsible for all financial aspects of their reservation with Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.
Cancellations received on/before January 5, 2024 will receive a refund in the amount of the cost of their order, minus the Eventbrite processing fees (6.6% plus $1.79). Cancellations received on/after January 6, 2024 are non-refundable.
Scholarships
Scholarship amounts are not preset for the 2024 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day. We encourage small counties most distant from Sacramento to apply for a travel scholarship.
Please complete the First 5 Association’s Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day Travel Scholarship request form.
*Do Not Register for the event until you have received the results of your application. If you are awarded a scholarship, we will provide you with a discount code for Eventbrite’s registration to our event.
11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Applicants will be notified by December 15, 2023 if they have been awarded a scholarship.
Travel To/From
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
1230 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
The California Endowment
1414 K St #500, Sacramento, CA 95814
The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located less than 15 minutes from Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.
No. Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel is a short Uber/Lyft/Taxi ride from the airport. Attendees driving to the hotel will be subject to parking fees ($20-47/day) so ride options will be less costly than renting a car.
No, Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel does not have a shuttle service to/from the airport.
Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day Content
The Annual Meeting’s first session will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5, with registration opening at 11:00 a.m. First 5 Association will host a breakfast for all attendees on Tuesday, February 6. The Annual Meeting will continue around 9 a.m. on Tuesday with a keynote speaker and peer to peer learning sessions throughout the day. We will break from sessions to host lunch on Tuesday and dinner for all attendees on Tuesday evening. First 5 Association will host breakfast on Wednesday, February 7 with the agenda kicking off around 9 a.m. Attendees will be equipped with Advocacy Day directions before breaking for scheduled meetings at the Capitol. First 5 Association will provide grab-and-go lunches for attendees on Wednesday afternoon for Advocacy Day.
Yes!
No.
Due to recording costs, it is unlikely we will record any of the sessions from this year’s Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day.
No, First 5 Association will be scheduling your visits unless otherwise arranged.
First 5 Association will provide talking points and materials in advance, along with a training on February 7.
Hotel
Hotel guaranteed check in time is 4 p.m., however, attendees are welcome to explore the property while they store your luggage until your room is ready. Checkout is at 11 a.m. and the hotel will store your luggage until you are ready to depart from your stay.
Yes, there is an outdoor pool.
Complimentary amenities include fitness center, room service, daily housekeeping, wake up calls, and more.
No. Internet will be available for a fee through the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel for your room, meeting spaces and general premises.
Yes, each room includes a desk (in addition to standard furniture).
No.
For more information about the hotel visit:
COVID-19
No. Attendees are encouraged to self-test as needed and take precautions to ensure the safety of their peers. While subject to change as the event nears, at this time, First 5 Association will not be requiring COVID testing or masks.
No.
While we will not be requiring masks and testing, we encourage attendees to take necessary precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. We will have hand sanitizer and masks available in gathering rooms for guests to use as they choose.
Things To Do
Sacramento is the city that never disappoints! Whether you’re a foodie or an art lover, an outdoor enthusiast or a music aficionado, Sacramento has something for everyone. Explore its vibrant neighborhoods, indulge in culinary delights at its many restaurants, immerse yourself in the rich cultural scene of museums and galleries, or get lost amidst the stunning murals that grace every corner.
For additional information or questions not answered here, please contact F5events@F5ac.org
We can't wait to see you in February!