Spotlight Story Index
Lives are changing as a result of investing in communities! We are excited to share with you stories of harnessing resources in caring for young families.
Study: Children who have fewer chances to read with their parents are more likely to have delays in literacy and language skills.
In the decade since the safe surrender law, 83 newborns have been safely turned over to authorities. However, many others were not. Awareness may be the key to keeping more babies from being abandoned, or worse.
Members of an Assembly Committee shelve state bill that would have taxed sugar-sweetened drinks, stating that beverage consumption choices fall to parents and individuals - not lawmakers.
Legislation threatening First 5-funded programs and services was withdrawn from a Senate health committee hearing.
A state bill, supported by First 5 LA, aims to levy taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks, and use the funds on programs that help prevent childhood obesity.
The First 5 LA Commission decided legal action is necessary against the state to keep critical early childhood programs intact.
In the fight against obesity, one Los Angeles County city is targeting the food it makes available at facilities and events with nutritional guidelines that trim the fat.
Seeking to break the cycle of abuse through outreach and awareness, state lawmakers hope everyone in the state will focus on abuse prevention activities throughout April.
The state Senate Health Committee is scheduled to consider a new bill that seeks to eliminate First 5 commissions and commandeer all remaining Proposition 10 funding.
Two Los Angeles-area senators want all California hospitals to develop and post guidelines that encourage breastfeeding for all newborns.
First 5 commissions have until June 2012 to turn $1 billion over to the state's general fund.
Legislators agreed to the Proposition 10 funding grab, bypassing voter approval.
The CalFresh Act would simplify the application and reporting process, hopefully increasing the number of participants in the food source program.
Health programs for low income children are being targeted by legislators, but there is good news for CalWORKs Stage 3 child care participants.
A California lawmaker introduced a bill that would require health insurance companies to cover maternity services, ranging from prenatal to postpartum care.
Newspaper articles and editorials from around the state discuss potential harm of First 5 funding grab, and advocate against it.
Some lawmakers believe a two-thirds vote of the Legislature is allowed under Proposition 10's terms.
The stakes are high for low-income children and their families who rely on Medi-Cal and Healthy Families for health coverage.
State Senators and Assemblymembers agree to not take 50 percent of First 5 funds every year, but align with proposal to take $1 billion next year.
Los Angeles Hospitals that serve low income and minority women don't do enough to encourage new moms to exclusively breastfeed, according to a new report.
New health insurance laws have changed how individual policies are purchased for children with pre-existing conditions, including an enrollment period that ends March 1.
More than 30 supporters testified about the importance of First 5 funding to services that serve the state's youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
The Advancement Project utilized a First 5 LA COF Policy and Advocacy Grant to secure $40 million for Early Care and Education facilities.
Emotions ran high at last week's Senate Budget Committee hearing, where grantees and parents asked legislators to oppose Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed First 5 funding grab.
Under Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget, California children 0 to 5 could lose health insurance, early intervention programs for developmental disabilities and childcare.
If passed by voters, Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to re-direct First 5 funds would take a toll on programs, including preschools and child abuse prevention efforts, for young children.
Deep cuts are anticipated in the new governor's budget proposal, including funds that support First 5 LA and other state Children and Families Commissions.
Insurance companies made controversial decisions to stop selling child-only policies in response to the new Health Care Reform Law
Two bills might reinstate funding for CalWORKs Stage 3 child care, which shut-down as of Jan. 1.
