This newsletter comes to you from First 5 California, the California Children and Families Commission, which provides services and support to ensure that children in California are born healthy and reach their full potential.
eNewsline provides updates about the Child, Parent and Teacher Signature Programs, and more.
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New staff joins First 5 California
First 5 California recently added several new staff members.
David Dodds joined the staff in July as Deputy Director of Results and Evaluation. David has more than 12 years of experience as a researcher in state government. Most recently, he served as the lead research scientist on evaluation teams for the Black Infant Health Program and Adolescent Family Life Program at the California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program.
Also new in July is Kellie Westley, Chief of Contracts and Procurement. Kellie has a broad background in state and private-sector administrative functions, and has specialized in state contracting and procurement. She has served the Department of Water Resources, as well as the Department of General Services. In addition, she worked with school districts for eight years.
The Program Division also has welcomed two new consultants: Lisa Duerr, who has joined the Child Signature Program, and Lori Gladding, who is working on CARES Plus, the Teacher Signature Program.
On June 30, two key staff members retired from state service: Marsha Jones, Chief Deputy Director, and Terry Miller, Chief of Contracts and Procurement. First 5 California appreciates their many years of valuable service and wishes them well on their retirements.
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Jennifer Kent, Chair
Patrick Duterte, Vice Chair
Magdalena Carrasco
Conway Collis
Kathryn Icenhower
Joyce Iseri
Casey McKeever
Ex officio: Diana Dooley
Click here for bios.
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Oct. 17 - Commission Meeting (Southern California)
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Mark your calendars to attend the next California Children and Families Commission meeting on October 17!
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Governor signs State Budget in June;
Children and families impacted
The Governor signed the State Budget on June 27. The final budget includes cuts and some line-item vetoes affecting young children and their families, including a requested $80 million transfer from First 5 California to cover General Fund reductions.
The budget includes an $80 million cut to child care, removing 10,500 slots, and also an almost $30 million cut to state preschool. The children’s health insurance program, known as Healthy Families, is being shifted into Medi-Cal, which impacts an estimated 871,000 children.
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New bilingual poster promotes
Kit for New Parents
A key outreach of the First 5 California Parent Signature Program, the Kit for New Parents contains advice, information and tips for parents, caregivers and grandparents of children ages 0 to 5. The Kit is designed to reach California’s underserved communities, and is delivered free of charge through local hospitals, physicians and community groups.
To date this year, First 5 California delivered approximately 300,000 Kits. Over the last 13 years, three million Kits have been distributed.
Recently, both the former English and Spanish posters promoting the Kit were replaced with a single bilingual poster (pictured below), which features an updated look reflecting the design of the current Kits. The poster includes ordering numbers for Kits in all languages available – English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese.
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Two of three Requests for Application (RFAs) completed for Child Signature Program
First 5 California’s Child Signature Program has involved a significant amount of collaboration and engagement within its own agency, as well as with counties and other external partners. This collaboration has fashioned a Child Signature Program that will go far in improving the school readiness and well-being of thousands of young children across California.
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Teacher Signature Program starts its second year
First 5 California’s Teacher Signature Program supports the professional development of the early learning work force. Also called Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) Plus, the program finished its first year on June 30. In Year 1, it served close to 7,300 children with about 4,500 teacher participants.
Twelve counties participated in My Teaching Partner in Year 1. Due to positive responses, First 5 California anticipates 20 counties in My Teaching Partner for Year 2. Also, Year 2 of CARES Plus will continue the random sample selection process for My Teaching Partner and CLASS observations.
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Press Room
