Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom has made early childhood development one of his signature issues. We at First 5 Los Angeles and First 5 organizations across California stand ready to help him turn that pledge into reality.
The new governor’s goal of prioritizing funding for “cradle-to-career” programs gives me hope that in 2019, we will finally see the passage of legislation that makes quality early learning available for all California children.
California is a national leader on climate change and health care coverage. But we lag behind 30 other states in providing access to quality, affordable early learning programs.
The evidence is abundantly clear that modest investment in early childhood development and family strengthening programs such as home visits by professionals, developmental screening and interventions, and early learning can build strong children and families, and result in the highest return on investment of any publicly funded programs.
All Californians stand to benefit. Every dollar invested in home visiting saves $6 through future savings on healthcare and welfare services.
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