First 5 Children’s Programs Face New Legislative Threat

On April 13, the State Senate Health committee will hold a hearing and a vote on SB 486, which seeks to abolish First 5 LA and the other 57 county First 5 commissions as well as First 5 California. Authored by Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Inland Empire), the bill would redirect all future Proposition 10 dollars away from children's programs currently supported by First 5 commissions to support state-funded programs. The measure requires voter approval.

SB 486's grab of the remaining Proposition 10 funding would immediately wipe out all local programs funded by First 5 commissions throughout California. These include numerous health and development services, as well as programs that provide child care, early education, support for at-risk families, child abuse prevention, home visitation, early intervention for children with special needs, parenting education, family literacy and nutrition and anti-obesity efforts.

The bill is identical to previous failed legislation authored by the late Sen. Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) that also sought to end First 5 programs. Those bills were rejected at every turn by committee members after numerous parents and children's advocates spoke up against them.

For more information, please contact First 5 LA Government Affairs Officer Ruel Nolledo at 213-482-7505 or rnolledo@first5la.org.