FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Courtney Armstrong
Courtney@first5association.org
SACRAMENTO — The First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 commissions across the state that serve more than 1 million children and families each year, issued the following statement in response to San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s “Family Opportunity Agenda” that would expand child care access to San Francisco families with children under five years old.
The following can be attributed to Avo Makdessian, Executive Director of First 5 Association of California:
“For too long, child care has been out of reach for far too many California families, and access and affordability continue to worsen. Mayor Lurie’s plan reflects the urgency families feel every day as they seek greater help from their government. At a time with deep income and wealth inequality, Mayor Lurie’s “Family Opportunity Agenda” tackles the affordability crisis head-on with whole-child, systems-level reform, investing in the early childhood workforce and ensuring that more children are better prepared for school and life.
“The First 5 Network is hopeful that San Francisco’s approach will inspire statewide action. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Newsom and California’s next governor to make child care more affordable and accessible.”
Click here to download a PDF of this press release
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About First 5 Association of California
The First 5 Association of California represents First 5 commissions across the state. Together, First 5 supports over 1 million children and families each year, advancing policies and investments that ensure young children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The Association works to advance state and federal public policies and funding that support California’s young children and families. Our policy work is informed by local communities and local First 5 commissions and is grounded in a whole child / whole family lens. We do this while centering the fact that low-income communities, communities of color, and historically marginalized Californians face disproportionate impacts due to systemic racism, wealth inequality, and environmental hazards. Learn more at www.first5association.org.