California Continues To Prioritize Young Children 2025-2026 Budget Highlights Initiatives For All California Kids Sacramento, CA — First 5 California thanks the Governor and administration for their ongoing dedication to early childhood education, infant and early childhood health, and the protection of early childhood care systems outlined in the 2025-2026 budget proposal. “As a champion for children aged 0 to 5, First 5 California commends the Governor and Legislature for advancing a budget rooted in values that prioritize young children and families,” said Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Executive Director of First 5 California. “We are grateful for the Governor’s commitment to initiatives that provide meaningful support to families, such as free diapers for newborns, smaller class sizes and expanded learning opportunities in Transitional Kindergarten, and English proficiency tools for multilingual learners. These investments, along with First 5 California’s statewide programs like Raise CA Strong to address the childcare crisis, the Fatherhood Initiative and This Is How Dads Do It podcast to support fathers, and the Dragon Song campaign to promote young children’s mental health, create a lasting foundation for California’s families and communities.”

The proposed budget includes a 10% increase in funding for the Early Childhood Education and Care program, which supports the development of high-quality early childhood programs and services. This investment will enable the organization to expand its services, improve existing programs, and provide more resources to families and children.

The Importance of Early Childhood Education and Care

Early childhood education and care are crucial for a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Research has shown that high-quality early childhood programs can have a lasting impact on a child’s future academic success, social skills, and emotional well-being. First 5 California recognizes the importance of this critical period and is committed to supporting the development of high-quality early childhood programs and services.

Key Benefits of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Stronger Starts Campaign

First 5 California’s Stronger Starts campaign is a statewide initiative aimed at supporting families and children during their critical early years.

They provide funding for evidence-based programs, research, and evaluation to improve early childhood education and family support services.

The History of First 5 California

First 5 California was established in 1998, when voters passed Proposition 10, a ballot initiative that imposed a tax on tobacco products to fund services for children ages 0 to 5 and their families. This tax generated significant revenue, which was then allocated to support various programs and services aimed at promoting early childhood education and family well-being.

Key Programs and Services

Impact and Evaluation

First 5 California’s programs and services have had a significant impact on early childhood education and family well-being in California.

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