Press Room
The First 5 LA Press Room is a helpful first stop when seeking recent statements and positions on our accomplishments and priorities for L.A. County’s youngest children.

For press inquiries, email First 5 LA’s Communications Department Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Marlene Fitzsimmons at [email protected]
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First 5: Holistic, Equity-Focused Approach to Supporting Children and Families Evident in Governor’s 2021-22 Budget Proposal
Jan 11, 2021 | Policy Agenda, Press Room
ALAMEDA, CA (January 8, 2021) – Governor Newsom’s budget plan demonstrates a clear commitment to addressing the holistic and pressing needs of young children and families, by supporting them on multiple fronts during the pandemic, as well as building toward a...

First 5 LA Awarded Grants to Five Agencies to Lead Community Based Efforts as Part of Help Me Grow LA
Oct 1, 2020 | Help Me Grow, News & Resources, Press Room
Funding Will Focus on Connecting Families, Who Have Developmental Concerns, to Existing Services LOS ANGELES, October 1, 2020 — First 5 LA today announced a $2,250,000 investment across five community partners to strengthen and expand referral pathways to better...

Study Aims to Bolster California’s Safe Water Efforts at Child Care Facilities
Jul 13, 2020 | Press Room
UCLA analysis offers wide-ranging guidance on state mandate to test drinking water for leadEfforts to ensure safe drinking water for children need further support to reach their intended audience, according to an analysis of California’s mandate requiring child care...

First 5 LA Awarded ACEs Aware Grant to Promote ACEs Screenings & Trauma-Informed Trainings in Light of Stress Due to COVID-19
Jul 9, 2020 | Press Room
Funding will focus on reaching the L.A. County Medi-Cal Provider Community through various engagement activities and peer-to-peer learning Los Angeles, CA - First 5 LA, an independent public agency working to strengthen systems, parents and communities in Los Angeles...

First 5 Counties: 2020-21 State Budget Prioritizes Young Children & Families on Multiple Fronts
Jun 30, 2020 | Press Room
Alameda, CA — The 58 First 5 county commissions greatly appreciate the collaborative effort undertaken by Governor Newsom and the legislature to pass and sign a budget that prioritizes young children and their families, and maintains our shared vision of an equitable...

Final CA Budget Must Prioritize Child Care, Programs That Support Families
Jun 16, 2020 | Articles, News & Resources, Press Room
ALAMEDA, CA (June 15, 2020) - Child care and other programs that support families must be prioritized in the final 2020-21 state budget, which now awaits Governor Newsom's action, said First 5 Association, First 5 California, and...

The Consequences of Persistent and Systemic Inequities
Jun 2, 2020 | Articles, News & Resources, Press Room
June 2, 2020 Inequities have consequences. The deaths of...

Child Care is Critical to Making California Healthy Again
May 14, 2020 | Articles, Press Room
First 5 Weighs in on Governor's May Revision to the State BudgetALAMEDA, CA (May 14, 2020) - Governor Newsom and legislative leaders face tough decisions to address the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of California's people and its economy....

Los Angeles County partnership addresses critical need for child care among essential workers
Apr 9, 2020 | Articles, News & Resources, Press Room
Action enables first responders, medical personnel to continue reporting to work LOS ANGELES (April 9, 2020) – The Los Angeles County Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Response Team today announced the immediate availability of early childhood education and...

First 5 LA Executive Director Kim Belshé Joins Early Childhood Advocates in Strong Opposition to the Public Charge Ruling
Feb 3, 2020 | Articles, News & Resources, Press Room
On January 30, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin implementing the new public charge regulations on February 24, 2020 which will allow immigration officials the ability to deny a green card to immigrant applicants if...