First 5 Network Responds to State Budget Impacting California's Youngest Children

SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / The First 5 Network today expressed a mix of support and caution following the state budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Despite an unprecedented budget deficit, important early childhood investments will be maintained or expanded. These include funding 11,000 new child care slots and preserving funding for Medi-Cal health care coverage, health enrollment navigators, and community health workers.

The Network is concerned about the delay in continuous Medi-Cal coverage eligibility for children from birth to age five, which starts in 2026. The Network will urge the state to submit a federal waiver request for continuous coverage this year.

Despite reductions in the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program funding, the First 5 Network appreciates the Legislature and Administration's efforts to minimize impacts on service delivery and staffing.

"This state budget will add pressure to local communities to deliver more services with less funding," said First 5 Association Executive Director Avo Makdessian.

The First 5 Network remains committed to ensuring the basic rights and services for children prenatal-to-five despite budget challenges. They aim to work with the Administration to minimize the impact on children and prioritize California's youngest residents and their families in future budgets.