FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2025
Contact: Marlene Fitzsimmons
Phone: 213.482.7807
Connection to Resources and Streamlined Process To Reopen Critical Child Care Services for County Residents
Los Angeles, CA (February 24, 2025) — In the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, families with young children and child care providers, including licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and family, friend, and neighbor care, continue to be profoundly impacted by this crisis. First 5 LA applauds recent state and local efforts to step up the support and prioritize the resources needed for child care providers to rebuild and reopen services to care for the county’s youngest residents. Last week, First 5 LA Board Chair and L.A. County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell, presented a new motion aimed at coordination between multiple county and state agencies, including First 5 LA, to connect child care providers to resources and streamline processes they need to rebuild.
“This is a tremendous step forward for Los Angeles County in addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of childcare providers navigating the crisis caused by the wildfires,” said Karla Pleitéz Howell, president and CEO of First 5 LA. “Calling for the temporary use of other facilities, prioritizing budget proposals and legislation that support child care recovery and expediting emergency permits for childcare providers so they can reopen as quickly as possible are swift actions to ensure these critical services are available for families.”
First 5 LA joins the L.A. County Board of Supervisors along with other local and state leaders in paving the road to recovery through this motion and recent executive orders to accelerate rebuilding and recovery efforts for early care and education and child care so that families can access these vital services.
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About First 5 LA:
As one of the state’s largest funders of early childhood and an independent public agency, First 5 LA advocates for children and their families, amplifies community voice and partners for collective impact so that every child in Los Angeles County reaches their full developmental potential throughout the critical first five years of life. Learn more at www.first5la.org.
