Celebrating 20 Years as a Voice for Children and Families: Advocacy Day

On May 2, First 5s from across the state convened at the Capitol to advocate for young children and families this budget and legislative session. Importantly, the event provided an opportunity to share recent local countywide data from cannabis discussions identifying early education, preschool, and education as priorities for constituents. We also shared information specific to child care, home visiting, and screenings. We are thankful to Assemblymembers Anna Caballero and Mark Stone and Senators Bill Monning and Anthony Cannella and their staff who continually respond to the needs of young children and their families. Each legislator recognizes that First 5's revenue is declining due to decreased tobacco sales and listened to ways the state budget and legislation could help meet local needs. These include:

• Supporting the CalWORKs Home Visiting Initiative and increasing funding by $50 million to serve more families.

• Investing $1 billion for babies that includes early education expansion programs, increasing the infant-toddler adjustment, paid early education professional development, and more child care slots.

• Supporting the passage of the following legislation.

  • AB 2292 (Aguiar-Curry), sponsored by First 5 California, provides start-up grants, increases the infant-toddler adjustment factor for reimbursement rates, and expands licensing support.

  • AB 2626 (Mullin) restores professional development days, in addition to keeping allocated child care funding in child care. It is a state-wide solution to the passed child care subsidy pilot bill that encompasses Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.

  • AB 11 (McCarty), which is co-sponsored by the First 5 Association, will ensure children receive routine screenings to identify delays in a timely manner. It is a critical first step to bolstering our early intervention system.

The timing for these meetings was critical. Governor Jerry Brown recently released the May Revision to his proposed $199.3 billion State Budget for FY 2018-19, maintaining his promise to increase funding for preschool and provide prenatal and early childhood home visiting services for CalWORKs families. Not included however was a prioritization of infant-toddler care. Over the next couple of weeks, state leaders will make critical decisions on state budget investments around voluntary evidence-based home visiting for families in poverty. If your organization is interested in showing support, click here. Choose Children is also asking California's next governor to commit to making early childhood care and education accessible to all families! To sign the petition, click here.

The day was not complete without a little celebrating! The First 5 Association hosted a Family Fun Day and awards presentation with family games, the First 5 California Express, and appearances by several state legislators to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of First 5s across the state. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon delivered the keynote for the awards program honoring Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Joaquin Arambula, Kevin McCarty, and Senator Mike McGuire with Champion for Children Awards. Click here to see the First 5 Association's photobook from the event.

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