First 5 Association Congratulates New Appointees to First 5 California Commission
First 5 Association of California warmly congratulates the two newest members of the First 5 California Children and Families commission, who were appointed yesterday by the governor: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who will serve as chair, and Elsa Mendoza Jimenez. Surgeon General Dr. Burke Harris has an impressive history of advocacy and care for California’s […]
First 5 Association Responds to Master Plan for Early Learning and Care
First 5 Association of California issued the following statement in response to the release on Tuesday of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care: Making California For All Kids. The following quotes can be attributed to Melissa Stafford Jones, executive director of the Association: We applaud the Governor’s commitment to […]
First 5 Association Joins Partners in Warning Against Big Tobacco’s Efforts to Overturn Ban on Sale of Candy-Flavored Tobacco Products
First 5 Association is joining with public health partners and elected officials across the state to warn Californians against tobacco companies’ efforts to overturn SB 793 by referendum. SB 793 protects kids by ending the sale of candy-flavored tobacco products in California. Read the joint press release that includes our quote, below: GOV. NEWSOM, LT. GOV. […]
First 5 Counties: 2020-21 State Budget Prioritizes Young Children & Families on Multiple Fronts
ALAMEDA, CA — The 58 First 5 county commissions greatly appreciate the collaborative effort undertaken by Governor Newsom and the legislature to pass and sign a budget that prioritizes young children and their families, and maintains our shared vision of an equitable California. Amid the challenges wrought by a global pandemic, this budget supports policies and […]
Final CA Budget Must Prioritize Child Care, Programs That Support Families
ALAMEDA, CA (June 15, 2020) – Child care and other programs that support families must be prioritized in the final 2020-21 state budget, which now awaits Governor Newsom’s action, said First 5 Association, First 5 California, and First 5 LA on Monday. Specifically, First 5 believes the following elements must be included in a final budget […]
A Warm Welcome for Our New Executive Director, Melissa Stafford Jones
First 5 Association of California announces and warmly welcomes its new Executive Director, Melissa Stafford Jones, who will join the organization on July 6, 2020. Ms. Stafford Jones will lead the pursuit of First 5’s vision that California’s success be measured by the well-being of its youngest children, along with the overall strategy and direction […]
The 58 First 5 counties are united against racism in all forms.
The 58 First 5 counties across California are united against racism in all forms, and in the mission that every child has a right to grow up healthy and safe. We strive for equity and inclusion for every child, every family, and every member of society. We pledge to continually examine and evolve our work, […]
First 5 Response to May Budget Revision: Child Care is Critical to Making California Healthy Again
ALAMEDA, CA (May 14, 2020) – Governor Newsom and legislative leaders face tough decisions to address the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of California’s people and its economy. While the task is undeniably difficult, child care must be prioritized to make California healthy again, said First 5 Association, First 5 California […]
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 […]
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 […]
