After the groundbreaking and historic investments made in early childhood last year, early childhood advocates and families across the Golden State eagerly awaited the unveiling of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020-2021 proposed fiscal budget at the beginning of...
Reviewing 2019, Preparing for 2020
Every year California’s state policy leaders make decisions impacting young children and their families in Los Angeles County, from allocating funds in the state budget to changing laws to establishing the rules and regulations that guide local program implementation....
All Together Now: A Budget Vision for Early Childhood Development
Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced revisions to his proposed state budget for the 2019–2020 state fiscal year, a $213.5 billion spending plan strengthened by higher-than-expected revenue forecasts and focused on some of the state’s most pressing...
Expanding Our Approach to Advocacy with a New State and Federal Agenda
First 5 LA has long acknowledged the impact state and federal legislation has on families in Los Angeles County, and for the past few years the organization has developed an annual legislative agenda aligned with its policy goals. Legislation, after all, has the...
Analysis: How Will Gov. Newsom’s Budget Proposal Impact California’s Young Children and Families?
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first state budget proposal is groundbreaking in the depth and breadth of its investments in our youngest Californians. Placing a strong priority on young children and working families, Newsom’s “California for All” $209 billion spending plan...
New Year, New Laws for Kids and Families
The start of every year is typically associated with new beginnings. The start of 2019 is particularly energizing for early childhood advocates in California —a new governor, new budget proposals and new legislative ideas focused on California’s children.But the start...
Legislative Update: Changing the Rules to Make Things Work Better for Children
By Peter Barth, First 5 LA Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs In a recent Board meeting, First 5 LA Commissioner Judy Abdo described systems change as “making things work better” and one of the ways to make things work better is to change the rules —...