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 […]
First 5 Association Census Toolkit Helps Ensure Little CA Kids Are Counted
First 5 Association of California is inviting partners to use its new digital toolkit to encourage parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5 to count young kids in the upcoming Census. One million children ages 0-5 weren’t counted in the 2010 Census, and California had the highest 0-5 undercount of all states. The toolkit includes downloadable resources for […]
With AB 1004 Signed, More Young Kids Will Be Screened Early for Developmental Milestones
First 5 LA, First 5 Association, and Children Now are thrilled by Governor Newsom’s signing of AB 1004 (McCarty), which will help ensure California’s babies and toddlers receive the developmental screenings–and eventually services–they are entitled to through Medi-Cal. “In signing this bill, the governor is further strengthening the health care system for young Californians,” said […]
