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 mf**********@******la.org
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First 5: Governor Newsom’s 2023–24 Budget Proposal Continues Support of California’s Youngest Children and Families
by Fraser Hammersly | Jan 11, 2023 | News & Resources, Press Room
SACRAMENTO, CA (January 11, 2023) – Governor Newsom released his proposed budget plan Tuesday, which continues to demonstrate his commitment to provide for the needs of young children and their families and continuing to build toward an improved early childhood...

FIRST 5 LA ANNOUNCES KARLA PLEITÉZ HOWELL AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
by Fraser Hammersly | Nov 10, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
Former Branch Chief for the Child Care Development Division for California Department of Social Services Selected to Lead L.A. County Early Childhood Advocacy Organization LOS ANGELES, CA (November 10, 2022) – Today, during its final board meeting of the year, First...

Kim Belshé Releases Statement in Reaction to 2022-23 State Budget
by Josh Woolf | Jul 1, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
July 1, 2022 Today, the First 5 Network thanks Governor...

The First 5 Network Statement on the 2022-23 State Budget
by Josh Woolf | Jul 1, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Melanie Flood FRSA, First 5 Association of California melanie@first5association.org SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the First 5 Network thanks Governor Newsom and the Legislature for adopting the 2022-23 state budget that provides critical...

KIM BELSHÉ RELEASES STATEMENT RESPONDING TO SUPREME COURT DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE
by Josh Woolf | Jun 24, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
June 24, 2022 Though we anticipated this decision, it’s...

FIRST 5 LA ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
by Fraser Hammersly | Jun 10, 2022 | Articles, News & Resources, Press Room
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 10, 2022) - Today, First 5 LA’s Executive Director, Kim Belshé announced she will be stepping down from her leadership role at the end of this year. In 2012, Kim Belshé was named Executive Director, leading First 5 LA's mission to improve systems...

First 5 LA Names JR Nino as Chief Operating Officer
by Fraser Hammersly | May 24, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2022) – First 5 LA, a leading grantmaker and early childhood advocacy organization, today announced JR Nino as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this senior leadership role, JR will oversee First 5 LA’s Center for Operational Excellence to...

The First 5 Network Responds to Governor Newsom’s May Budget Revision
by Fraser Hammersly | May 18, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Melanie Flood FRSA, First 5 Association of California (530) 556-0920, melanie@first5association.org May Revision Provides an Opportunity to Advance a Whole-Child, Whole Family Agenda ALAMEDA, CA (May 18, 2022) – The First 5 Network,...

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND FIRST 5 LA LAUNCH HELP ME GROW LA TO SUPPORT CHILD DEVELOPMENT
by Fraser Hammersly | May 17, 2022 | Help Me Grow, News & Resources, Press Room
MEDIA CONTACTS: First 5 LA Marlene Fitzsimmons (213) 482-7807 mfitzsimmons@first5la.org LA County Department of Public Health (213) 240-8144 media@ph.lacounty.gov May 17, 2022 Help Me Grow LA is a Community-Driven Effort to Ensure Every Child Receives Early Support...

Kim Belshé Releases Statement Responding to Leaked Supreme Court Roe v. Wade Draft Opinion
by Josh Woolf | May 4, 2022 | News & Resources, Press Room
May 3, 2022 There has not been a threat this egregious to the...