SACRAMENTO, CA (May 14, 2026) — The First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 commissions across the state that serve more than 1.2 million children and families each year, issued the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised May budget proposal.
The following can be attributed to Avo Makdessian, Executive Director of First 5 Association of California:
“California cannot plan for our future by removing essential support for young children and their families. We’re disappointed that this budget proposal not only fails to fund mental health services for infants and toddlers but also ignores a simple administrative fix that would allow local First 5 commissions to access existing prevention grants at no new cost to the state.
“Without these investments, families will lose access to early mental health programs that catch and treat problems before they become lifelong challenges. Children who are denied support in their earliest years are more likely to struggle in school, face health challenges, and require more costly interventions in later life. California is not saving money by withholding resources for our state’s youngest residents. This budget is robbing our kids of a future, and it will cost all Californians more in the long run.
“First 5s are on-the-ground community partners who will continue fighting on behalf of young children and families by pressing lawmakers to fund mental health, child care, and other essential supports. We refuse to allow the urgency of California’s future to fade into the noise of short-term fixes.”
Background: In 2004, California voters passed the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), funded by a 1% tax on incomes over $1 million. This investment provided counties with resources for both mental health prevention and early intervention programs. In 2024, voters passed the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), which moved mental health prevention funding to a new state-level Population-Based Prevention Fund. Administered by the California Department of Public Health, the Population-Based Prevention Fund is intended to support community-based programs that stop mental health problems before they start.
Unfortunately, the fund’s rules do not explicitly allow local First 5s to apply for grants, leaving children ages 0–5 without these needed resources. The First 5 Association of California has asked the legislature for a one-time $20 million investment specifically for children ages 0–5, a permanent funding stream within the state fund for that age group, and explicit eligibility for First 5 commissions to apply for the prevention grants.
About First 5 Association of California
First 5 Association of California represents First 5 commissions across the state. Together, First 5 supports over 1.2 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.