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: 2021-22 State Budget Prioritizes Equity, Supports Whole-Child, Whole-Family Wellbeing
Jul 14, 2021 | Articles, Press Room
ALAMEDA, CA (July 13, 2021) – First 5 congratulates and appreciates the Legislature and Governor Newsom for their hard work to create a 2021-22 state budget that supports the wellbeing of young children and their families, and focuses especially on those farthest from...

L.A. Care Collaborates with First 5 LA to Improve Child Development as Part of Help Me Grow LA
Jul 13, 2021 | Articles, Press Room
July 13, 2021 First 5 LA Awards L.A. Care a $1.2 Million Grant to Help Increase Developmental Screenings LOS ANGELES - California ranks 43rd in the nation when it comes to conducting developmental screenings for...

First 5: May Budget Revision Advances Holistic Approach to Improving the Health of Children and Families
May 15, 2021 | Press Room
Plan Provides Strong Basis for Legislature, Administration to Build a Whole-Child Whole-Family Approach ALAMEDA, CA (May 14, 2021) - Governor Newsom’s May revision to the state budget plan includes exciting proposals to meet the holistic, short- and long-term needs of...

First 5 LA Names John Wagner to Lead the Center for Child and Family Impact
Mar 30, 2021 | Articles, John Wagner, Press Room
For Immediate Release: March 30, 2021 Wagner to Help Evolve Systems Change Work to Improve Outcomes for Young Children LOS ANGELES– First 5 LA announced today that the organization’s Executive Vice President, John Wagner, will lead the Center for Child and Family...

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...