Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org SACRAMENTO — The First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 commissions across the state that serve more than 1 million children and families each year, has named its new Officers to its Board of

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org  SACRAMENTO—The First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 Commissions across the state, issued the following statement in response to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to promote pediatric screenings for mental health,

How the “Big Beautiful Bill” could impact California kids On July 10, First 5 Association Executive Director Avo Makdessian was featured on Education Beat, the weekly podcast produced by EdSource, a trusted nonprofit newsroom focused exclusively on California education. Hosted by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Allen Youngallen@cobaltpublicaffairs.com SACRAMENTO—Following final congressional passage of the 2025-26 federal budget, the First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 Commissions across the state, warned that the legislation will force more of California’s children into poverty, cut

SACRAMENTO—First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 Commissions across California’s 58 counties, issued this statement following Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval of the 2025–26 state budget: The following can be attributed to Avo Makdessian, Executive Director of First 5 Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org  Avo Makdessian, Executive Director of the First 5 Association of California today issued the following statement after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must restore funding to AmeriCorps in California. “First 5s across

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org  The First 5 Network, which includes First 5 California, the First 5 Association of California, and First 5 LA, issued the following regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised May 2025-2026 budget proposal: Governor Newsom’s revised 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org  SACRAMENTO—The First 5 Association of California, representing First 5 Commissions across the state’s 58 counties, issued the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised May budget proposal.  The following can be attributed to Avo Makdessian,

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

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