• 13th March 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.

• 27th 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.

• 1st 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.

• 18th 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.

• 14th 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.

• 4th November 2021

Sacramento, CA — On October 28, 2021, the First 5 California Commission unanimously approved $3 million in initial funding to support refugee families resettling in California. The approval comes on the heels of a United States military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the growing need to support thousands of fleeing Afghan refugees that are resettling in the state.

• 9th September 2021

Sacramento, CA — First 5 California issued a statement today supporting Governor Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon’s proposal to support Afghan refugees resettling in California.

• 14th July 2021

Sacramento, CA — First 5 California released a statement today on Governor Newsom and the State Legislature’s transformative 2021–22 state budget.

• 21st April 2021

Sacramento, CA — Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday for the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd. This verdict brings accountability, and we acknowledge that more must be done to achieve racial justice for our community and society. It does not bring George Floyd back. It does not make his daughter and loved ones whole, and it does not negate the fact that Black communities still continue to live in fear.

• 16th March 2021

Sacramento, CA — First 5 California today announced the hiring of Jackie Thu-Huong Wong as Chief Deputy Director of Program, Evaluation, and External and Governmental Affairs, according to First 5 California Executive Director Camille Maben. Ms. Wong has almost three decades of experience in the private sector and government where she worked to advocate for educational and economic equity, as well as racial justice for children, youth, and families.

• 12th March 2021

Sacramento, CA — On March 10, 2020, the First 5 California Commission (Commission) held an emergency meeting to consider augmenting prior investments of $5 million to acquire and distribute emergency supplies for local communities throughout California. Following a staff report and compelling public testimony on the emergency supply program’s efficacy and impact, the Commission acted to increase funding in the amount of $2 million through this summer.

• 12th January 2021

Alameda, CA — 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 robust early childhood system in the long term, said First 5 Association of California, First 5 California, and First 5 LA today in response to the release of the governor’s proposed 2021-22 budget.

• 8th January 2021

Sacramento — California Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday made two appointments to the California Children and Families Commission, also known as the First 5 California Commission. To serve in the role of First 5 California Commission Chair, Governor Newsom appointed Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California Surgeon General. Additionally, Governor Newsom appointed Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, Monterey County Health Department, as a Commission member.