For First 5s across California, the 20th Anniversary of the passage of Proposition 10 has served as an opportunity for celebration and reflection.

Linda Jacobson, a senior reporter at Education Dive, used the anniversary as an opportunity to go in-depth on what First 5s have accomplished in the last 20 years. Jacobson — a journalism fellow with the USC Center for Health Journalism — chose to focus her fellowship project on the history and impact of First 5s.

Since early October, she has produced six articles, with each highlighting individual county stories while also focusing on the challenges and successes shared by all First 5s.

Below are links to each of her pieces, with topics ranging from successes with home visitation to how First 5s are adapting to decreasing revenue. We hope you find these pieces informative. They give an excellent overview of how the passage of Proposition 10 set early childhood work in California on a journey that we are still traveling.

Introduction to the Series

Center for Health Journalism: After two decades of First 5, are California’s young children better off?

As an education reporter who has specialized in covering early childhood issues, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to revisit a model that is quite different from how other states have expanded services for young children. (8/6/18)

The Education Dive Series

What did California’s novel approach to funding early-childhood programs achieve?

The impact of the First 5 initiative, spearheaded by actor/director Rob Reiner, is complicated to measure because of the lack of longitudinal data. (10/9/18)

How filmmaker Rob Reiner put early childhood in the limelight

Recruiting Hollywood A-listers for help, Reiner paved the way for passage of a tobacco tax to fund programs for California’s youngest children — and helped to spread a national movement. (10/9/18)

Early-childhood advocates see cannabis challenges rise as tobacco sales fall

As more states consider legalizing marijuana, California’s First 5 agencies are on the forefront of educating the public about the impacts during pregnancy and in homes with young children. (10/23/18)

One California county epitomizes positive impact of home visiting amid national trend

To reduce child maltreatment rates, Santa Cruz’s First 5 organization has worked to spread evidence-based intervention programs — with effective results. (10/30/18)

More California school administrators gain skills as early-childhood leaders

With an early-learning advocate now headed for the governor’s office, the state’s First 5 commissions say it’s time to link pre-K and K-12 data to boost student success. (11/8/18)




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...

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