Recent Updates
The Role of First 5s in Home Visiting: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities in California
Jul 6, 2022
The First 5 Center for Children’s Policy initiated a qualitative research project involving a series of interviews with 54 First 5s across the state. This paper presents the findings of these interviews and their implications for home visiting in California.
Addressing infant and early childhood mental health needs: opportunities for community solutions
This moment in history could be pivotal in the landscape of California’s early childhood mental health. Conditions created by the pandemic, such as isolation, economic stress, and community trauma, are all proven to negatively impact a child’s ability to thrive. It is vitally important that young children and their parents and caregivers receive the interventions necessary to support their mental health during this critical time.
Opportunities in California’s Implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act
Kit Strong • Sep 14, 2022
In this blog we break down some important parts of the Family First Prevention Services Act and its implementation in California to help early childhood leaders understand what the opportunities are.
Medi-Cal Basics for Early Childhood Leaders
This primer provides an overview of some of the critical components of Medi-Cal for young children, and links to resources where you can learn more.
Exploring Workforce Needs: Lessons Learned to Support Home Visitors
Sep 1, 2022
To understand home visitors’ workforce development needs, the First 5 Center for Children’s Policy commissioned ZERO TO THREE to conduct focus groups and surveys with home visitors who had participated in professional development opportunities. This brief explores the three key lessons that emerged from that research.
The Road to Black Birth Justice
May 24, 2022
This report summarizes the findings of a multipart project that the UCSF California Preterm Birth Initiative conducted, in partnership with the First 5 Center for Children’s Policy, to understand the challenges and opportunities to improve the birth outcomes and experiences of Black people and their families in California.
’22-’23 California State Budget Makes Significant Changes to Early Start Program
Alexandra Parma • Aug 30, 2022
Among the 2022-2023 California state budget's important investments were a number of historic changes to Early Start.
Department of Health Care Services Releases 2021 Preventive Services Report
Alexandra Parma • Jul 14, 2022
New data released from the Department of Health Care Services shows how children in Medi-Cal managed care fared in 2020, and just how far we will need to increase preventive service delivery to ensure children receive all the benefits to which they are entitled.
Navigating the Early Identification and Intervention Maze: A Flowchart
California’s early identification and intervention (EII) system is complicated. This interactive flowchart shows the various pathways families with low-income may follow when seeking services for a developmental or mental health concern.
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Early Childhood Resource Library
The Early Childhood Resource Library compiles and shares relevant research, data, and stories from across California. These resources were created by organizations doing important work to support early childhood.
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