First 5 Association of California Leaders to Rally at Capitol for Early Childhood Support
What: Advocates for families of young children—who represent county First 5 Commissions across California—will meet with policymakers at the State Capitol on April 9 to advocate for funding, programs, and policies that protect and strengthen California’s youngest children and their families. First 5 Association of California will hold this year’s Advocacy Day as proposed federal […]
First 5 Association of California Calls for Expansion of Early Childhood Home and Community Based Services Through Medi-Cal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:Courtney ArmstrongFirst 5 Association of CaliforniaCourtney@first5association.org(510) 323-9320 SACRAMENTO—First 5 Association of California proposes expanding early childhood home and community-based services through Medi-Cal with two new briefs highlighting their role in improving maternal and early childhood health. The expansion would give more parents and caregivers access to comprehensive, preventive support in their children’s foundational […]
First 5 Association of California Calls on Congress to Reject Alarming Health Care Cuts That Will Hurt Young Children and Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org SACRAMENTO, CA (February 27, 2025)—The First 5 Association of California—which represents First 5 Commissions across the state’s 58 counties—issued the following statement regarding the House Republican budget plan that could eliminate vital health care benefits for an estimated five million California children. First 5 Association – Attributed to Avo Makdessian, […]
First 5 Association of California Calls For Intervention Against Trump Administration’s Grant Freeze Order
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org SACRAMENTO, CA (January 28, 2025)—Last night, the Trump administration issued a memo temporarily halting all federal grant and loan disbursements, causing widespread uncertainty among families, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The First 5 Association of California, which represents First 5 Commissions across 58 counties, issued the following statement regarding the […]
First 5 Network Responds to Governor Newsom’s Proposed 2025-2026 Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Courtney Armstrong Courtney@first5association.org SACRAMENTO, CA (January 10, 2025)—The First 5 Network, which includes First 5 California, the First 5 Association of California, and First 5 LA, issued the following statements regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2025-2026 budget: Governor Newsom’s proposed 2025 budget presents an important opportunity to strengthen California’s investment in its youngest […]
First 5 Network Responds to State Budget Impacting California’s Youngest Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Courtney Armstrong Courtney@first5association.org (510) 323-9320 Worst of proposed cuts to early childhood investments averted. First 5 Network remains cautiously optimistic on delayed program expansions SACRAMENTO, CA (July 1, 2024) – The First 5 Network today expressed a mix of support and caution following the state budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Despite an unprecedented […]
First 5 Network Responds to State Budget Cut Proposals Impacting California’s Youngest Children
Media Contact: Melanie Flood FRSAmelanie@first5association.org First 5 Network confronts the challenges of state budget cuts on child services and advocates for continued support for children’s programs The First 5 Network today expressed disappointment following Governor Newsom’s May Revision in response to the state’s budget shortfall. Proposed cuts announced on Friday worsen the impact of reductions […]
May Revision: Multi-Year Continuous Medi-Cal Coverage for Young Children Not Funded
Tens of Thousands of CA Children’s Medi-Cal Coverage Not Preserved A coalition of organizations – including American Academy of Pediatrics California, Children Now, First 5 Association of California, March of Dimes, Maternal and Child Health Access, National Health Law Program, The Children’s Partnership, and Western Center on Law and Poverty – express frustration that the […]
California’s First 5 leaders at State Capitol Advocating for Early Childhood Investments Amidst Tobacco Tax Revenue Decline
Media Contact: Melanie Flood FRSAmelanie@first5association.org SACRAMENTO, CA (February 7, 2024) – Hundreds of First 5 leaders from across California who collectively serve over one million of the state’s children and caregivers are rallying in the Capitol, calling for a one-time $100 million investment, aimed to stabilize various local programs serving children and families amidst dwindling […]
California Must Prioritize Young Children, Despite Budget Deficit
SACRAMENTO, CA (January 11, 2024) – The First 5 Network appreciates the Governor and administration for maintaining their commitment to early childhood education, infant and early childhood mental health, and protecting early childhood systems of care as part of the proposed 2024-25 budget plan. Despite the difficult budget year, the First 5 Network is committed […]
