FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2025
Contact: Marlene Fitzsimmons
Phone: 213.482.7807

Los Angeles, CA (May 15, 2025) – First 5 LA President and CEO, Karla Pleitéz Howell released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s May Revision to the FY25-26 California state budget:

“First 5 LA recognizes the difficult fiscal decisions reflected in the revised budget proposal but urges Governor Newsom and state lawmakers to consider the impact of cuts to programs and services that support the health and well-being of our youngest children, their families, and the early childhood educators who provide essential care and enriching learning experiences. These choices will disproportionately affect immigrant communities, many of whom are working families raising young children and contributing significantly to the strength and growth of California’s economy.

“Cutting vital food assistance programs for immigrant families, and freezing Medi-Cal enrollment as well as adding a premium for undocumented adults undermines our Californian values. A recent survey conducted by the California Community Foundation demonstrated that more than two-thirds of voters support providing these and other essential services to all low-income residents, regardless of immigration status.

“At First 5 LA, we remain steadfast in our commitment to immigrant and mixed-status families who are integral members of our communities, our workforce, and the cultural richness of Los Angeles County and California. Ensuring they have equitable access to services is essential to our mission and to the well-being of all young children.

“While we appreciate that the May Revise maintains funding for the full implementation of universal transitional kindergarten for all four-year-olds and investments in literacy programs with a focus on supporting multilingual learners, there are still threats to critical safety net programs and vital supports like health care, early care and education, and family services which remain out of reach for far too many.”




Pride Month 2025: Building a Society Without Discrimination

Pride Month 2025: Building a Society Without Discrimination

Building a Society Without Discrimination “If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society." Those words from Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin take on renewed meaning this June as we...

Celebrating Home Visiting in LA

Celebrating Home Visiting in LA

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer May 22, 2025 Opening your home to a stranger can be scary. Especially if you're a new mom.   Just ask Dani. After the birth of her son, she got a call from a parent educator asking if she'd like to participate in a home visiting...

Conversations That Count: Encouraging Bilingualism in Young Learners

Conversations That Count: Encouraging Bilingualism in Young Learners

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer April 22, 2025 The young boy is talking about cognates.   "I know some words in Spanish," Mateo tells the nice lady sitting next to him in the booth. "When we watch these videos, they show the word first in English and then, at the...

FIRST 5 LA BOARD EXPLORES INITIATIVE 3: MATERNAL & CHILD WELL-BEING

FIRST 5 LA BOARD EXPLORES INITIATIVE 3: MATERNAL & CHILD WELL-BEING

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer May 22, 2025 First 5 LA’s Board of Commissioners Meeting was convened on May 8. Highlights of the meeting included a discussion on the proposed First 5 LA budget for the new fiscal year; a presentation on First 5 LA’s Maternal &...

AANHPI Heritage Month 2025: Leadership and Resilience

AANHPI Heritage Month 2025: Leadership and Resilience

Hello! Aloha! Kumusta! Xin chào! May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Originally established as a weeklong observance in 1978 and expanded to a month in 1992, this annual celebration is a valuable opportunity to honor...

Janitorial Services Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

POSTING DATE: APRIL 29, 2025 DUE DATE: MAY 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time (PT) UPDATE(S): May 13, 2025  The section QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS was updated to reflect that no questions were received, accordingly, no Questions and Answers document will be posted.  ELIGIBLE...

Women’s History Month: Alma Cortes, Ed.D.

Women’s History Month: Alma Cortes, Ed.D.

April 8, 2025 In celebration of Women’s History Month and this year’s theme — Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations — First 5 LA is shining a spotlight on remarkable women leading the way in early childhood education (ECE). In this bio...

Help Me Grow LA: Connecting the Dots to Healthy Child Development

Help Me Grow LA: Connecting the Dots to Healthy Child Development

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer March 27, 2025 Shakur was 2 when he started crossing his fingers. It happened a lot. His mom, Brooklynn, noticed that the behavior happened every time they visited the local park. That's when she did some sleuthing online and...

Translate