The First 5 Network Responds to Governor Newsom's May Budget Revision
ALAMEDA, Calif., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The First 5 Network, comprised of First 5 California, the First 5 Association of California, and the 58 local county First 5s across the state, applauds Governor Newsom's May Revision proposals centered on supporting a whole-child, whole-family framework to address the pressing needs of California's youngest children and their families. California's $97 billion surplus has provided an unprecedented opportunity to reconstruct and build a robust early childhood system for the long term.
- Critical investments in healthcare, early literacy, early intervention, and transitional kindergarten were among the most prominent in the Governor's revised budget plan.
- However, the First 5 Network was disappointed to see that the Governor did not adopt our priority to maintain continuous eligibility for children until their 5th birthday without need of an eligibility review.
- This could mean that thousands of California's youngest children will lose coverage for well-child visits and preventive services, including immunizations and critical developmental screenings.
- As the First 5 Network, we continue to support the Governor's January Budget proposal to fund Home Visiting programs and early literacy investments.