• 22 August 2023

Last week, First 5 California welcomed Dr. Martha Eugenia Dominguez-Brinkley as Deputy Director of the Program Innovation and Evaluation Division. In her role, Dr. Dominguez-Brinkley will oversee the organization’s research and programs division responsible for ensuring First 5 California investments further the development of trauma-informed, healing-centered, and culturally responsive systems that meet the needs of our youngest Californians.

• 15 August 2023

On August 10, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the designation of Katie Albright as the chair of the California Children and Families Commission (First 5 California). Ms. Albright was previously appointed by Governor Newsom and sworn in as a First 5 California commissioner on April 20, 2023.

• 1 June 2023

Today, First 5 California announced the official launch of its Stronger Starts campaign at a celebratory event held at the Sacramento Zoo. First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos, and Sacramento Kings NBA player Domantas Sabonis joined First 5 California Executive Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong to discuss the impact that toxic stress has on children’s development and long-term mental and physical health.

• 16 AMay 2023

On Friday, May 12, 2023, Governor Newsom released the May Revision that maintains his consistency and promise from January to minimize the effects of a declining economy away from our state’s most vulnerable constituents.

• 19 April 2023

Today the statewide network of First 5s will meet with legislators to champion early childhood legislation and investments for California’s youngest children. Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes will join First 5s by addressing the network in a virtual gathering.

• 5 April 2023

The California Children and Families Commission (First 5 California) welcomes Katie Albright as its newest member to the seven-member commission.

• 21 February 2023

The California Children and Families Commission (First 5 California) welcomed Vivian Velasco Paz as its newest member to the seven-member commission.

• 11 January 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 system. “We.

• 16 November 2022

Sacramento, CA – Community members are invited to join CDE, First 5 California, DIALEE and CCRC on Thursday, November 17, 2022, starting at 12:00pm for an application webinar on the California Community Schools Partnership Program: Planning Grant. The application webinar is tailored towards Early Childhood Education (ECE) practitioners, and will review the application and discuss how ECE providers can participate in the CCSPP.

• 11 October 2022

Sacramento, CA – In a proactive effort to help families manage everyday stressors, First 5 California (F5CA) is launching a new campaign that aims to educate on the importance of breathing as a powerful tool to help families and children deal with stress. From school

• 6 September 2022

Sacramento, CA – Today, First 5 California welcomed Dr. Angelo Williams as Chief Deputy Director. In his role, Dr. Williams will lead the External and Governmental Affairs Office, the Program Innovation and Evaluation Division, and the Administration Division, to develop trauma-informed, healing-centered, and culturally responsive systems to meet the needs of our youngest Californians.

• 12 August 2022

Today, First 5 California Executive Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong issued a statement on The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a yearly report on child and family well-being. The report found California ranked 33rd of all states in children’s overall well-being and highlighted how anxiety and depression rose 70 percent in California’s juvenile population in 2020, the first year of the pandemic.

• 3 August 2022

First 5 California (F5CA) announced today seasoned attorney James Lindsay will join as new Chief Counsel starting August 1, 2022. In his role as a member of the F5CA executive team, he will perform in the capacity of legal counselor and advisor, assisting the Commission and Executive Director on legal issues as they affect theoverall policies, programs, and practices of F5CA.

• 1 July 2022

Sacramento, CA – Today, the First 5 Network thanks Governor Newsom and the Legislature for adopting the 2022-23 state budget that provides critical investments in behavioral and mental health, children’s health, early literacy, and reproductive rights.

• 26 May 2022

As California children and families continue to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families now face a national shortage of infant formula. Long-term supply chain issues have impacted U.S. manufacturing, but the infant formula supply chain was recently disrupted due to Abbott Nutrition recall of infant formula, affecting families in California and across the United States.

• 13 May 2022

Sacramento, CA – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the 2022-23 May Revision Proposal, which continues to reflect the state’s vision to defend women’s right to choose, expand access to health care for all Californians, and protect the most vulnerable.

• 27 April 2022

Sacramento, CA – Yesterday, Giannina Pérez, former Senior Policy Advisor for Early Childhood in the Office of the Governor, was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Children and Families Commission, commonly known as First 5 California.

• 1 March 2022

Sacramento, CA – California’s Children and Family Commission recently named Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, a refugee born during the fall of Saigon and the first woman of color as incoming Executive Director of First 5 California. Ms. Wong previously served as Chief Deputy Director for First 5 California.

• 18 January 2022

Sacramento, CA – The California Children and Families Commission, also known as First 5 California, welcomed the appointment of its newest commissioner, Lori Risso, Principal of August Elementary School in the Stockton Unified School District.

• 14 January 2022

ALAMEDA, CA - On Monday, Governor Newsom released his proposed 2022-23 budget plan, a framework that features important investments to advance the health and well-being of California’s youngest children. The First 5 Association of California, First 5 California and First 5 LA welcome the governor’s continued focus on making programs, services and resources more equitable, to ensure all children and families have the safe and nurturing environments they need to thrive.