Press Releases
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
First 5 Association Congratulates Colleagues, Partners Appointed to the Early Childhood Policy Council
First 5 Association of California warmly congratulates our friends and colleagues in the early childhood field whom the governor announced today would be part of the Early Childhood Policy Council.“The governor has assembled a crackerjack team of experts, practitioners and
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