Noticias 62 Live with Jesus Javier, Socorro Cruz, Halim Zadat with sports, and Francisco Quiroz with the weather.

Noticias 62 live at 9:00PM

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Anchor woman: This budgetary crisis is threatening to eliminate another successful program that greatly benefits Hispanic children.

Anchor man: thousands would be greatly affected..  Annette Arreola explains to us what it is all about

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Woman: Hi, I came to pick up my child

Reporter: Elsa Becerra stops by to pick up her daughter Nicole from this day care, blocks from her house.

Woman: They take care of my daughter while I go to school and this is the way in which I have learned English and have gotten ahead in life.

Reporter (Annette Arreola): This is one of the various day care centers that are funded by the state program First 5, an agency that provides child development services for children under 5 years old.  But this source of funding is at great risk due to the Governor considering eliminating the program with the goal of fixing the state’s deficit; a decision that would affect thousands of Latino families and children, particularly those who are benefitted by the program Healthy Kids – the health insurance plan that is funded 100% by First 5.

Mayra: The health insurance that we provide for our children would be eliminated, as well as vital pre-school programs and jobs for the teachers would potentially be eliminated as well.

Reporter: Ever year, First 5 grants millions of dollars in services, particularly in health insurance and day care centers.  But if this program would cease to exist, a lot of parents are asking the question, how will they have access to these vital services?  For Cesar Mejorado, who uses a First 5 day care center, there is only one option if the program cuts back.

Man (Cesar Mejorado): My wife would have to stop working and would have to stay at home taking care of my daughter all day, and it would eliminate the money she is bringing to our household.

Reporter: The program has survived through cigarette taxes.  Last year it generated more than $500 million, which were distributed between the 58 agencies established throughout the counties.   Locally, here in Los Angeles, the state budget cuts would leave thousands of children from low-income families completely helpless.  In Los Angeles, Annette Arreola, Noticias 62.  Your city, your people.