August 16, 2019
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 for more kid-centric information.

Now for the headlines........
RECENT NEWS ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE

Governor Gavin Newsom just expanded California's paid family leave law. Will you and your baby baby make the most of it? This CalMatters article walks through the details of the law and answers some easy questions parents may have.

Oregon joined the ranks of states to put forth their own paid family leave law. The measure gives residents up to 12 weeks of leave , and includes a unique clause that offers full-wage replacement for low-paid workers.

Also, New York's governor boasted that 128,000 workers took advantage of their paid family leave in 2018, the first year it was available. Most of those who used it had a household income under $60,000.

Jonathan Rubinsky, who works with First 5 San Francisco, recently penned an op-ed in the San Jose Mercury News explaining why he thinks paid family leave should be a right , not a luxury.
WHAT IS THE BEST STATE IN THE U.S. FOR HAVING A BABY?

By comparing cost to raise a child, family friendliness, health care and other metrics, Wallet Hub compiled a ranking for every state in the U.S. when it comes to having a baby.

California came in 21st and Mississippi came in last. But which state ranked #1? (Hint: if you plan on moving there after reading this, bring a snow shovel.)
BIG CHANGES AT McFARLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Recognizing the need for early childhood education, McFarland Unified has set out to reach children as young as 4 with its newly created Early TK (transitional kindergarten) program, doubling the number of TK classes, and partnering with the McFarland Park & Recreation District for afternoon programs.
82% OF KIDS' HOT-CAR DEATHS ARE ACCIDENTAL

While it might be easy for some to dismiss parents who leave their children in their cars as negligent , there is actual psychological research to show that our brains can forget the people who matter most to us under stress. The Huffington Post explains what's happening in your brain when you forget your kid in the car.

RELATED: Most kids who die in hot cars were unintentionally left there. AZCentral asks, what if we did a better job of warning parents of their mistake?
ADDITIONAL STORIES FROM THIS WEEK...

Since genetic modification is no longer a topic for science fiction, the website Big Think says, t he question is no longer "can we" but "should we" edit human embryos. The topic comes off the heels from an abandoned effort to remove a ban from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on clinical research of genetic modification.

A Home Health News article about a recent study hits home in Kern County, and refers to the threat that natural disasters pose on the medically vulnerable. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people rely on medical devices in their own home, and explains how action is needed to ensure those devices continue to function when disasters cut needed power.

Pharmacies in New York City have begun handing out "prescriptions" for fruits and vegetables. The Pharmacy to Farm program targets low-income individuals with high blood pressure, and the prescriptions take the form of $30 in vouchers, per month, to be used at any of the 142 farmer's markets in the city.
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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