MAY 2022
Water Study partnership with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation continues with survey
First 5 Kern is teaming up with the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation for a survey to better understand how Kern County residents make water and beverage consumption choices in the home.

We're looking for Kern County parents to complete a survey to inform drinking water distrust research and community support for and preferred revenue uses for a tax on sugary beverages.

The first 100 participants will receive a $10 Target or Amazon gift card for completing the survey. Click the link below to take the survey.
First 5s champion early childhood investments and legislation with statewide leaders
The annual First 5 Advocacy Day took place on April 19. The day gives First 5 commissions a concerted voice as they meet with elected officials in each of their counties to discuss legislation and budgetary action that specifically benefits young children and their families.

First 5 Kern staff had the opportunity alongside other First 5s to meet with representatives and/or the staff of Asm. Vince Fong, Sen. Shannon Grove, Sen. Melissa Hurtado, Asm. Tom Lackey, and Asm. Rudy Salas. We appreciate each of them taking the time to discuss this issues and share their thoughts on what can be done to help our families.

The network of First 5s across the state are focused on promoting a Whole Child, Whole Family policy agenda. Some of the highlights include focus on childhood mental health and home visiting in the state budget, and promoting continuous enrollment in Medi-Cal instead of having children accidentally fall out of coverage. Additionally, the meetings allow representatives to talk about action they are working on which benefit young children, and help us share this information with the families we serve.

The First 5 Association organizes annual Advocacy Day for the county commissions. The Association offers a collective voice for each of California's 58 First 5 county commissions, and watches pending and proposed legislation that impact children and families throughout the state.
Welcome to new Commissioner Lito Morillo
The Kern County Board of Supervisors last month voted unanimously to appoint Lito Morillo as the next Director of Human Services, effective April 9, 2022. Mr. Morillo graduated from CSU Bakersfield and has served as the Director of Aging and Adult Services since 2011. Prior to that position, Mr. Morillo worked for the Department of Human Services for over six years.  

As the Director of Human Services, one of Mr. Morillo's duties is to serve on the First 5 Kern Commission, and his first official meeting will be the June Commission meeting.
Thank you, and best wishes in retirement to First 5 Kern Chief Finance Officer
Dr. Kathy Hylton

Longtime First 5 Kern Chief Finance Officer Dr. Kathy Hylton is retiring at the end of May.

Dr. Hylton has been with First 5 Kern since 2010 and has overseen the fiscal stability of the organization for more than a decade. First 5 Kern's fiscal reporting has been exemplary during her term without a single finding during our annual audits. Her implementation of thorough cross-training methods with the staff, as well as development of formal policy and procedural manuals, has strengthened our ability to communicate and foster development with our funded programs.

Her efforts over the years have helped improve the lives of thousands of kids throughout Kern County. Everyone at First 5 Kern is wishing you a happy and healthy retirement, Kathy! It's time for new adventures in life, and to enjoy more time for painting, your dogs and your rose garden!
First 5 Kern posts opening for Chief Finance Officer
First 5 Kern has officially posted a job opening for the position of Chief Finance Officer.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Chief Finance Officer manages the financial operations of First 5 Kern. The primary duty is to develop and implement plans for financial reporting, contracts management, grants management, external claims reimbursements, fiscal leveraging, and auditing activities

The link below will take you to the full job listing and the application instructions.
Support First 5 Kern programs participating in
Give Big Kern Day, May 3
Coming up on May 3 (annually held on the first Tuesday of May), Give Big Kern is a day of giving throughout Kern County. Organized by Kern Community Foundation, the event offers an easy way for people to give to organizations close to their heart through the community.

The online giving platform has continued to grow in popularity, with over $2.5 million donated since the program's start in 2016.

Below are links to participating organizations that host First 5 Kern-funded programs which we would like to highlight. If you are considering participating with a donation this year, we encourage you to visit their pages. The Give Big Kern logo will take you to their full website, where you can search from the hundreds of participating agencies looking for financial support.
CASA of Kern County operates the Infant and Toddler Program
Mountain Communities Family Resource Center operates their own 501(c)3.
The Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault operates the Small Steps Child Development Center.
Women's Center High Desert operates the Women's Shelter Network.
The Bakersfield Homeless Center operates the Discovery Depot child care center.
Give Big Kern homepage
Deadline for the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment is approaching
Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who do not? California law requires children to have a dental assessment by May 31 in either kindergarten or first grade, whichever is their first year in public school. This requirement is known as the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA).

Help families in your community ensure that their children are healthy and ready to learn by encouraging them to schedule their child’s required dental assessment. The below fliers are presented by Smile, California, which offers a host of resources for parents regarding dental health and benefits available through Medi-Cal.
Kern Early Stars unveils Kinder Readiness Newsletter for parents
Preparing your child - and being prepared as a parent - for the start of Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten can be a stressful time.

The Kern Early Stars program has put together a newsletter that walks families through the process. From preparing a transition plan, getting proper medical/dental assessments, and even books and videos you can share with your little ones to help ease the transition, there are resources available to families. The newsletter compiles information and content from various sources into one helpful location, which parents can bookmark and check back later for updates.

A video has been produced as well to help parents get the most out of the newsletter. The links below take you to the video, as well as the "Smore" newsletter!
Senator Shannon Grove's Imagination Library bill moving through committees in Sacramento
Co-authors Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) announced SB 1183 unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee on April 27.

The bill is a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to establish California’s first Statewide Imagination Library Program.

“A book is a door to limitless opportunities for children,” said Senator Shannon Grove. “Dolly Parton’s favorite book, A Little Engine That Could, has inspired generations of children. The book’s message is that with a little bit of work and a positive mindset, no matter the obstacles, children can achieve anything they dream.”
News from around the First 5 network...
Giannina Pérez Named Chairperson of California Children and Families Commission
Giannina Pérez, former Senior Policy Advisor for Early Childhood in the Office of the Governor, was recently appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Children and Families Commission (First 5 California).

Pérez, an early childhood policy expert with over 18 years of experience in advocacy and government, was selected for the appointment after working closely with the Governor for the last three years on developing children-first policy platforms. 
Congrats to a pair of First 5 Executive Directors for
Woman of the Year honors!
North Coast Senator Mike Mcguire has announced that Mary Ann Hansen, Executive Director of First 5 Humboldt, has been named the 2022 North Coast Woman of the Year.
Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin announced this week that he has selected Kitty Lopez, Executive Director of First 5 San Mateo County and First 5 Association Board President, as the 2022 Assembly District 22 Woman of the Year.
Summer Bridge Program open for registration in Ridgecrest...