THIS WEEK'S
HEADLINES
NEWS IMPACTING CHILDREN 0-5 AND THEIR FAMILIES
January 17, 2020
Here is a quick look at some headlines from this week impacting the lives of kids 0-5 and their families. The purpose of these stories is simply to inform, and they do not necessarily reflect First 5 Kern's areas of support or efforts towards these issues.

Follow First 5 Kern on social media (@First5Kern) for more kids news, as well as information about our funded programs and initiatives.

Now for the headlines........

HEALTH
UNUSUAL FLU VIRUS IS HITTING CHILDREN HARD
An unusual viral strain is dominating flu activity across the U.S., and this season’s influenza vaccine is not a close match for the virus.

The strain causing illnesses in  most parts of the country  is more likely to cause complications in children and younger adults than in the elderly. In flu data released last Friday, five pediatric deaths were reported for the week ending Jan. 4, for a total of 32 such deaths since the season began. (Washington Post)
5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CALIFORNIA'S TOXIC STRESS SCREENINGS

California is the first state to create a formal reimbursement strategy for ACEs screening, and the program will be open to both children and adults enrolled in Medi-Cal. The public health impact could be significant as Medi-Cal covers 5.3 million kids — roughly 40% of all California children — and 6.3 million adults. This article offers five key things to know about ACEs and California's new screening program. (US News & World Report)
BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN ARTICLE ON CHILDREN BEING SCREENED FOR TOXIC STRESS

Children in Kern County and throughout California may be screened for childhood trauma and toxic stress during routine pediatrician visits starting this year. The screenings are part of a new state initiative to identify adverse childhood experiences, known as ACEs, which a growing body of research shows can significantly increase the risk of poor health outcomes later in life. (Bakersfield Californian)
**NOTE: Trauma-Informed Kern County is a local effort funded by Kaiser Permanente and led by First 5 Kern which focuses on training care providers to take a trauma-informed approach in helping our community strengthen their resilience, particularly in respect to toxic stress and ACEs.

FAMILIES
PLAYING WITH BABIES MAKES YOUR MINDS SYNC


Playing with a tiny human is one of those small pleasures in life where you really feel like you're connecting with a person. It's not just in your mind, either. We now have evidence that the rise and fall of their brain activity matches yours when you play together.

A study conducted by researchers at the Princeton Baby Lab recorded the brain activity of 18 children aged between 10 and 15 months as they engaged with an adult experimenter. (Science Alert)
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET SHOWS THAT LITTLE KIDS ARE A PRIORITY

Support for young children and their families once again dominated Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal, announced late last week.

“In proposing additional investments in childcare, preschool, paid family leave, and prevention of child poverty and adverse childhood experiences, it is clear Governor Newsom understands that strong families are the key to a strong state," said Kim Goll, president of the First 5 Association board and executive director of First 5 Orange County. (First 5 Association)

EARLY CHILDCARE & EDUCATION
REPORTS SHOW LINK BETWEEN CHILD CARE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A pair of reports released Monday highlight how San Diego County's employers can boost economic growth by supporting working parents.

The reports link child care and economic development. Because child care options are scarce, inconvenient, unaffordable and of varying quality in the San Diego region, working parents can be forced to leave their jobs, not enter the workforce at all, or struggle to balance a career and child-rearing. (KPBS)

PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH
NEW CALIFORNIA LAW BENEFITS NURSING MOTHERS BY REQUIRING PRIVATE ROOMS
A new law has gone into effect in California, designed to help nursing moms.

"If you work at a place with more than 50 employees, you have to have a dedicated room where moms that are breastfeeding or pumping can go... It is clear in the law that it cannot be in the bathroom," said Fabiola Gonzalez, First 5 Fresno Deputy Director. (ABC30 Fresno)
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...about First 5 Kern
First 5 Kern was established in 1998 when California voters passed Proposition 10, which levied a 50-cent tax on tobacco products. Revenues generated from the tobacco tax are used to fund local programs in the areas of health and wellness, early childcare and education, and parent education and support services that promote early childhood development for children ages zero to five.

For more information on First 5 Kern and the agencies we support, please visit www.First5Kern.org   and follow us on social media.
Special thanks to Vecteezy for assistance on graphics