First 5 LA’s 2017 State Legislative Agenda Advocates for Access to Critical Services for Young Children and Families

Agenda Calls for Long-lasting Policy Changes to Improve Health Services, Child Care Eligibility and Access to Early Care and Education for Foster Children

LOS ANGELES – Saying the decisions we make for our children today will impact all of us tomorrow, First 5 LA announced today its 2017 State Legislative Agenda which supports long-term public policy change to improve the well-being of the 650,000 children aged 0-5 and their families who reside in Los Angeles County, a third of all young kids in California.

First 5 LA’s 2017 State Legislative Agenda addresses several issues facing children and their families, including access to subsidized early care and education programs regardless of changes to family income (AB 60 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez), child care program expulsion alternatives (AB 752 by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio) and funding for early care and education access for foster children (AB 1164 by Assemblymember Tony Thurmond).

“When we actively engage legislators and their staff, it gives us the opportunity to elevate the issues important to L.A. County’s children and families,” said First 5 LA’s Board Chair L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who also served as a member of the State Assembly and State Senate for 14 years. “First 5 LA’s legislative agenda reflects our own parents and caregivers’ concerns, amplifying their voices to legislators as they consider decisions today that will impact California families tomorrow.”

First 5 LA’s support of legislation includes advocacy activities such as letters of support to lawmakers, testimony at legislative hearings and meeting with legislators and their staff, bill sponsors and advocacy partners. First 5 LA also works with stakeholders to educate the general public and elected officials about the importance of these items to the health, well-being and early care and education of children prenatal to age 5, their parents and caregivers.

“In collaboration with parents, caregivers, communities, elected officials and partner organizations, our collective efforts are aimed at igniting significant policy change,” said Kim Belshé, Executive Director of First 5 LA. “The unanimous approval by First 5 LA’s Board of Commissioners supports the agency’s efforts to actively engage in state legislation, allowing for the opportunity to make a lasting impact for the greatest number of children.”

Each year, First 5 LA’s Board of Commissioners votes to support state bills and federal items that reflect the agency’s policy goals, including early care and education, family supports and health care systems. First 5 LA’s position on legislation is informed by internal staff and partners in the field, including the Intergovernmental and External Affairs Branch of the L.A. County’s CEO Office.

First 5 LA’s engagement in legislative advocacy is guided by criteria endorsed by the Board, including opportunities to advance First 5 LA strategic plan priorities, opportunities that provide sustainability for First 5 LA’s legacy investments, such as oral health and housing, policies that directly impact First 5 LA including revenues, and First 5 LA’s potential to influence policy and the impact of our engagement in policy issues as a public entity.

First 5 LA’s 2017 State Legislative Agenda approved by its Board is below. The full list, which includes supported measures and other bills of interest to First 5 LA being tracked, can be found here.