First 5s Respond to COVID-19 Crisis
First 5s around the state of California helping support families during the COVID-19 crisis.
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 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 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 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 […]
