We hope the new year is off to a peaceful and productive start. With just one month into 2019, early childhood is already at the forefront—namely with Governor Gavin Newsom's commitment to early childhood in his proposed 2019/2020 budget. If a budget is a reflection of values, we are excited to see the importance Gov. Newsom places on early childhood. Read more from our press release regarding how the state budget priorities align with work already happening in Monterey County and see local coverage in the Monterey County Weekly's blog. For a deeper dive into how the proposed budget impacts early childhood, check out First 5 LA's summary here. Our Executive Director, Francine Rodd, summarizes our response to the budget below: "Expanded investments in early childhood are coming at the right time for us. The needs are growing and local agencies have collectively identified key strategies to achieve tangible results for young children. More funding from the state—and hopefully other sources—can help bolster this work and lead to lasting change for families." In our January newsletter, we highlight the retirement of Commissioner Simón Salinas, introduce our newest Commissioner Chris Lopez, showcase our 2018/2019 Policy and Advocacy Platform, share an upcoming nonprofit advocacy training, and, in case you missed it in December, included our 2017/2018 Annual Report. |
