Press Releases

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org SACRAMENTO, CA (February 27, 2025)—The First 5 Association of California—which represents First 5 Commissions across the state’s 58 counties—issued the following statement regarding the House Republican budget plan that could eliminate vital health care benefits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Courtney ArmstrongCourtney@first5association.org  SACRAMENTO, CA (January 28, 2025)—Last night, the Trump administration issued a memo temporarily halting all federal grant and loan disbursements, causing widespread uncertainty among families, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations.  The First 5 Association of

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Courtney Armstrong Courtney@first5association.org  SACRAMENTO, CA (January 10, 2025)—The First 5 Network, which includes First 5 California, the First 5 Association of California, and First 5 LA, issued the following statements regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2025-2026 budget: Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Courtney Armstrong Courtney@first5association.org (510) 323-9320  Worst of proposed cuts to early childhood investments averted. First 5 Network remains cautiously optimistic on delayed program expansions  SACRAMENTO, CA (July 1, 2024) – The First 5 Network today expressed a mix of

Media Contact: Melanie Flood FRSAmelanie@first5association.org First 5 Network confronts the challenges of state budget cuts on child services and advocates for continued support for children’s programs The First 5 Network today expressed disappointment following Governor Newsom’s May Revision in response

Tens of Thousands of CA Children’s Medi-Cal Coverage Not Preserved A coalition of organizations – including American Academy of Pediatrics California, Children Now, First 5 Association of California, March of Dimes, Maternal and Child Health Access, National Health Law Program,