Evie's Desk: Stories From the Front LinesFebruary 16, 2010 |
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 We're all aware that the state is in a financial crisis. As a citizen that concerns me. And as the executive director of First 5 LA, it compels me to want to assist. But cutting First 5 funds is not the way out of the states budget crisis; and state elected officials heard that message loud and clear last week when more than 50 parents, grantees and stakeholders from across the state testified at the Assembly budget committee hearing about how First 5-funded services had changed children's lives for the better.Parents came from all walks of life, from compact urban areas to rural towns to big cities. They told stories that demonstrated how First 5 is meeting the needs of young children across the state, and tailoring those services to the unique needs of those families. Testimonials included the story of a teen mom from Richmond who told committee members, "I'm a child raising a child." The 16-year-old said she relied on a First 5 program to help her learn how to be a good parent. From Los Angeles County, a First 5 LA parent who learned how to speak English with the help of a Family Literacy program at Children's Hospital testified -- in English -- that as a result of the program her child is now better prepared to succeed in life. Other testimony came from a single mom who could not afford her new employer's health insurance for her 4-year-old son and worried about his well-being until she signed up for First 5 LA-funded Healthy Kids, which also provided dental coverage for her child. The testimonials left us all with a better understanding of how crucial First 5 programs are to the health of California's children. I'd like to thank the representatives from First 5 LA's Family Literacy program, Los Angeles Universal Preschool, Partnerships for Families and others for caring about young children and for telling your stories Evelyn V. Martinez Executive Director ### "Evie's Desk" is a regular feature of our weekly newsletter, "Monday Morning Report". Subscribe now or view past issues. |
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