First 5 Kern delivers COVID supply help
First 5 Kern held a final distribution event for their programs in October. Thirty-one programs were able to come out to this event.Three dozen First 5 Kern-funded programs and over 200 child care facilities participated in six different distribution events, which first started back in April as providers were struggling with lockdowns and limited availability […]
First 5 Alameda County Joins Live Q&A with Congressman Eric Swalwell
First 5 Alameda County Chief Executive Officer Kristin Spanos sat down for a Facebook Live Q&A with Congressman Eric Swalwell on August 21. The conversation centered on the challenges that children and families are facing during the pandemic, particularly around access to food and other necessities, including diapers/wipes, educational materials, cleaning products, and personal hygiene items. The […]
First 5 Centers in Contra Costa Put On Graduation Ceremony Parade for Families with Preschoolers
After a year-long Kindergarten readiness class taught at the Delta and Antioch First 5 Center, families lined up in their cars decorated with hand-made signs while graduation music played, bubbles floated in the air, and celebrated their accomplishment in a unique, yet memorable way. In previous years, a large and intimate celebration was held at the […]
Voters in some California communities will be called on to pay for more child care
EdSource: February 20, 2020 “‘We know there is a huge gap between the need and the actual slots available currently. It would really be helpful to close the gap,’ said Erika Kuempel, a spokeswoman for First 5 Alameda County, a county commission dedicated to helping families with children under 6 years old. The commission would […]
Our campaign is reducing black child deaths in Sacramento. Here’s how you can help
Sacramento Bee: February 12, 2020“About a year ago, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors received a report explaining the campaign’s success in reducing deaths in Sacramento County, where African American children have died at twice, and sometimes closer to three times the rate, of other kids. What we learned unequivocally confirmed that, years earlier, county […]
Early Quality Matters in Nevada County
Sierra Sun: February 11, 2020 “Quality Counts California is funded by First 5 California and the CA Dept of Education. By signing the Budget Act of 2019, Governor Newsom builds on the work of First 5 CA by providing a historic level of funding of $5.3 billion for early childhood initiatives that will improve access […]
First 5 Sacramento Partners with Public Health to Reduce Black Infant Mortality
First 5 Sacramento has partnered with Sacramento County Public Health to expand its efforts to reduce African-American infant deaths. A new mass media campaign, which launched February 17, aims to raise awareness about the role of racial bias and discrimination in African-American infant and maternal death disparities. In Sacramento County, and across the nation, Black […]
First 5 Contra Costa Partners with Parent Leaders to Renovate Local parks
First 5 Contra Costa partnered with parent advocacy groups in order to help Contra Costa County secure grant funding to renovate parks in underserved communities. Parent advocacy groups West County Regional Group and East County Regional Group, both sponsored by First 5 Contra Costa, played an instrumental role in helping Contra Costa County secure over […]
First 5 Association, First 5 LA: Governor’s Budget Shows Little Kids– And Their Families–Are A Continuing Priority
First 5 Association of California and First 5 LA today hailed Governor’s Newsom’s continuing support of young children and their families in his 2020-21 budget proposal. “We appreciate the governor’s evident and ongoing commitment to supporting California’s young children, their families, and others who care for them,” said Kim Goll, president of the First 5 […]
San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas has dedicated her life to public service
San Jose Spotlight: February 27, 2020 “An advocate for families and children, District 8 San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas said she is not a politician — she’s a public servant… That role started the day she launched her start in childhood development and education, working for agencies such as FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, a […]
