First5Center

California saw a 5.6% drop in child Medi-Cal enrollment as federal immigration policies drive fear among immigrant families - reversing enrollment gains made since the state's 2024 expansion. Read more from @KFFHealthNews: ow.ly/ENOt50YNKmy

New @CLASP_DC research shows immigration enforcement is deeply impacting young children and ECE providers - with staff facing burnout and roles far beyond their training. Read more from @The74: ow.ly/cUWK50YNKhZ

California's First 5 network is leading the way for early childhood-serving organizations to engage in Medi-Cal transformation. 10 First 5s are now contracted with managed care plans to deliver CHW and ECM services. Read the blog post: ow.ly/LP7j50YKIOS

What was once out of reach for many families is now the standard of care. California and 30+ other states reimburse doulas through Medicaid, driven by research showing improved maternal and infant outcomes. Read via @AP: ow.ly/5RMP50YFjyQ

Medi-Cal benefits alone won't sustain CA's early childhood mental health programs. With CYBHI grants ending and BHSA changes underway, the state needs a dedicated funding strategy for children birth through five. Read our latest blog post: ow.ly/NLOx50YFclx

Healthy birth outcomes for Black families require intentional, community-centered action. Join @CAPublicHealth on 4/14 for "Rooted in Justice and Joy" to learn about CA's Black Birth Equity Action Plan & resources advancing birth equity. Register: ow.ly/U4mx50YCqQL

Families of children with special needs in SF are facing significant barriers to accessing early intervention services. A survey of 400+ educators found fragmented agencies & underfunding are delaying access to critical therapies. Read more via @KQEDnews: ow.ly/4VeQ50YBZzo

37 million U.S. children depend on Medicaid and CHIP. A new @AmerAcadPeds technical report examines enrollment, funding, and the future of children's health coverage. Read the report: ow.ly/yz2Q50Yvup9

Four new CA bills aim to protect young children and families from H.R. 1's harmful changes to Medi-Cal - automating verification, tracking enrollment losses, and capping costs. Via @NHeLP_org. Read the article: healthlaw.org/news/californi…

CA is among the states leading the way in strengthening early childhood governance, as a growing bipartisan movement pushes for unified leadership to better serve young children. Read more from @newamerica: ow.ly/PU7X50YoTbM

CalAIM asks CBOs to build sophisticated care systems — but who bears the cost when PATH funding sunsets? Learn more about the innovating financaing solutions that can support community providers, like First 5s, get involved here @CAHealthReport: ow.ly/wc2e50YoSJ6

CA's 2026 Black Birth Equity Report finds systemic racism still drives maternal health disparities, calling for expanded workforce strategies and better mental health integration. Read more from @blackvoicenews: ow.ly/aXhP50YlpTM

CA is taking a community-centered approach to reducing Black birthing disparities. @CAPublicHealth's new Black Birth Equity Action Plan outlines two years of action across programs, policy, data, and community collaboration. Learn more: ow.ly/yoIp50Yll8q

With federal cuts putting Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the Child Tax Credit at risk, the End Child Poverty CA Coalition is urging the state to invest in proven anti-poverty tools. Read more from @DavisVanguard: ow.ly/lfQg50Yiccf

Children in fire-affected LA schools are getting mental health support through a $2.2M investment in trauma-informed resiliency curriculum at 33 schools in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Read more from @LAist: ow.ly/T4hC50Yic39

50%+ of CA kids covered by Medicaid/CHIP. Federal policy changes threaten dramatic enrollment impacts, reshaping healthcare systems. Urgent for early childhood when consistent care is crucial. CA has policy options to protect coverage. @Kidsdata ow.ly/8QOp50YeA96

Pasadena Black Infant Health Program tackles maternal health disparities w/ culturally supportive services. Statewide impact: 60% less lack of support, 45% less food insecurity, 35% less depression. Comprehensive approach to structural racism. Read more: ow.ly/vhLN50YcBJu

Native American & Alaska Native people have the highest pregnancy-related mortality rates in the U.S., with most deaths deemed preventable. Efforts are growing to boost tribal voices in maternal mortality reviews. Read more via @KFFHealthNews: kffhealthnews.org/news/article/n…

H.R. 1's Medicaid cuts threaten pediatric care for ALL families. With children's hospitals seeing 50-80% Medicaid patients, cuts mean fewer specialists, longer waits, and sicker kids everywhere. Read more from @Health_Affairs: ow.ly/pZcU50Y7RPU

CA invested $4.7B in children's behavioral health, but 23 of 58 counties have <1 psychiatrist per 10K residents. 6 have none. Screening without providers doesn't help kids. See how states are addressing workforce gaps: ncsl.org/health/meeting…