To submit comments, or to suggest items for this newsletter or First5LA.org, contact Katie Kurutz, public affairs officer, at kkurutz@first5la.org or (213) 482-5902.
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Click events below to view full listings.
2010 Leadership Institute Keeping the Lights On: Inspiring Imaginations & Strengthening Agencies
February 18-19, 2010
all day
"Goodness of Fit" in the Foster Care System: Considering the Critical Needs of Infants and Young Children in Child Welfare
February 19, 2010
all day
South Bay Family Health Care: Women's Health Services Open House
February 24, 2010
from 9:00am - 11:00am
Give Kids a Smile: FREE Dental Services in Pacoima
February 25, 2010
from 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Understanding Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Infants and Young Children
February 26, 2010
all day
2010 Parent Leadership: Real Families, Real Involvement, Real Outcomes
February 26, 2010
all day
Pediatric Psychological Trauma in Infants and Young Children from Illness, Injury and Medical Intervention
February 27, 2010
all day
Save the date: Conference for Health Professionals Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy
March 1-2 2010
Interaction Guidance
March 2-3, 2010
all day
Food Allergies & Intolerances in Children
March 6, 2010
9:00am - 12:00pm
Childhood Grief and Traumatic Loss: Restoring Joy to Children and Families
March 17, 2010
from 7:45am - 4:45pm
Overcoming Barriers to Breastfeeding
March 17, 2010
from 9:00am - 3:30pm
Autism 101: Understanding Autism in Young Children
March 19, 2010
from 8:30am - 4:00pm
Save the Date: Preconception Health Update
April 15, 2010
from 7:30am - 4:00pm
Pediatric Feeding: Special Topics in Autism
April 16, 2010
8:00am - 3:30pm
Depression and the Breastfeeding Mother
April 16, 2010
9:00am - 4:00pm
Introduction to Floortime(TM)
May 15, 2010
from 9:00am - 12:00pm
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Due to the Presidents Day Holiday, First 5 LA is running a special Tuesday edition of the Monday Morning Report, sharing important information on last week's state Assembly budget hearing.
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First 5 Parents and Service Providers Testify in Sacramento
First 5 LA interviewed several of the many parents, grantees and stakeholders who testified on behalf of First 5 at the California Assembly budget subcommittee hearing in Sacramento. More »
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State Budget Update: First 5 Not Included in Senate Democrats Solution
California Senate Democrats recently took a significant step towards preserving early childhood programs by approving a set of budget solutions that spared First 5 funding. More »
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Video of State Assembly Budget Hearing
More than 50 First 5 grantees and parents testified against the governors proposal to divert First 5 funds before a state Assembly committee. See video of the testimony. More »
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Stories From the Front Lines
We're all aware that the state is in a financial crisis. As a citizen that concerns me. And as the executive director of First 5 LA, it compels me to want to assist. But cutting First 5 funds is not the way out of the states budget crisis; and state elected officials heard that message loud and clear last week when more than 50 parents, grantees and stakeholders from across the state testified at the Assembly budget committee hearing about how First 5-funded services had changed children's lives for the better.
Parents came from all walks of life, from compact urban areas to rural towns to big cities. They told stories that demonstrated how First 5 is meeting the needs of young children across the state, and tailoring those services to the unique needs of those families. Testimonials included the story of a teen mom from Richmond who told committee members, "I'm a child raising a child." The 16-year-old said she relied on a First 5 program to help her learn how to be a good parent.
From Los Angeles County, a First 5 LA parent who learned how to speak English with the help of a Family Literacy program at Children's Hospital testified -- in English -- that as a result of the program her child is now better prepared to succeed in life. Other testimony came from a single mom who could not afford her new employer's health insurance for her 4-year-old son and worried about his well-being until she signed up for First 5 LA-funded Healthy Kids, which also provided dental coverage for her child.
The testimonials left us all with a better understanding of how crucial First 5 programs are to the health of California's children. I'd like to thank the representatives from First 5 LA's Family Literacy program, Los Angeles Universal Preschool, Partnerships for Families and others for caring about young children and for telling your stories.
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