On April 10, First 5 Executive Director Karen Scott joined Assembly Member Eloise Gomez Reyes and First 5 California’s Director of Government Affairs Courtney Armstrong at the California State Capitol. These powerful women were crucial in moving AB 2982 forward which establishes a workgroup to address the needs of infants, toddlers and their families.
According to the bill’s author Asm. Reyes, California has made progress in supporting young children and their families; however, significant gaps remain. “We must comprehensively work to address the needs of California’s infants, toddlers and their families,” stated Asm. Reyes in the bill summary.
AB 2982 establishes a workgroup to develop recommendations focused on establishing a 10-year comprehensive, equity-focused prenatal-to-three system policy agenda. The workgroup created under this bill will be responsible for reviewing current policies and practices related to early childhood systems, developing recommendations to address the needs of subpopulations of young children, and ensuring there is alignment and partnership among state agencies to ensure our young children can thrive.
The bill, which passed out of committee with bipartisan support, is now being referred to Appropriations Committee.