We were honored to host a mainstage panel on Creating Mindful Media for Children at the 2026 First5CA Summit with Dr. Colleen Kraft, Dr. Yalda Uhls & Dr. Ilan Shapiro.

Their message: mindful media shouldn’t rest on one family. It takes systems & community support.

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We were honored to welcome former California Surgeon General and pediatrician Dr. Nadine Burke Harris to the 2026 First 5 California Summit, where she delivered a powerful keynote on the importance of building systems and infrastructure that prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences dren and families.

Dr. Burke Harris emphasized that preventing childhood trauma requires more than individual action. Her message reminded us that creating healthier futures for California's children starts with investing in the infrastructure that supports them.

As we reflect on the success of the 2026 First 5 California Summit and appreciate the early childhood leaders who joined us to put Their Futures First, we want to share some of the Summit’s immediate, tangible impact.

This Summit was not just another conference. It was the next n to build an even stronger California for children and families. We thank everyone who joined us, and we look forward to seeing the change you create with the inspiration, knowledge, and connections you gained at the Summit.

We had the honor of having early learning specialist, professor, and pediatric surgeon Dr. Dana Suskind open the 2026 First 5 California Summit. She delivered an inspiring keynote, guiding attendees’ thinking about the relationship between children, parents, and emerging Dr. Suskind’s keynote reminded us and many other early childhood leaders to approach parents with patience and kindness as they navigate the challenges of raising children in an ever-changing world. She stressed the importance of putting human connection above all else and owning the imperfections that come with it.

We welcome Dr. Gabriella Garcia to the California Commission for Children and Families. As a community leader, the Executive Director of Storyteller brings her expertise in making informed decisions for First 5 California and our approach to support the state’s children and Garcia also brings prior high level experience with First 5, as the former Vice Chair of the First 5 Santa Barbara County Advisory Committee.

We thank Dr. Garcia for joining us and continuing her meaningful work creating real change for children and families across the state. 👏

First 5 California was proud to support the outstanding bills that are creating tangible change for the state’s children and families. We thank every California state legislator who worked tirelessly this year to ensure that these bills made it to the Governor’s desk.

As e new challenges every day, it is pertinent to support them from the community level to a systemic level. Every changemaker, from policymakers to community advocates, play an important role in our mission to build a stronger, more affordable California for children and families.

Every parent plans for the unthinkable. This year, thousands of families in Humboldt County are being forced to plan for another one: who takes care of my child if I'm detained?

First 5 Humboldt worked together with True North Organizing Network to bring school superintendents, police chiefs into one room — and got real commitments: help for families completing Caregiver's Authorization Affidavits under AB495, staff trained on ICE response, and law enforcement reaffirming they won't be used for civil immigration enforcement.

This is the "Red Folder": First 5 Humboldt's ongoing work connecting immigrant families to resources, often with zero headlines. It's resonating anyway: requests for these materials have come in from New Jersey to North Carolina.

First 5 California is proud to see counties like Humboldt show what it looks like when local leaders, schools, and law enforcement show up for kids before the crisis hits.

Thank you, Mary Ann Hansen and team, for leading the way.

First 5 California congratulates Cindy Faulkner on her appointment as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino!

With more than 22 years of experience, Faulkner has dedicated her career to strengthening partnerships and systems that support San Bernardino County’s youngest lies. We look forward to her leadership as First 5 San Bernardino enters its next chapter and continues advancing child health, early learning, and family support.

First 5 California is proud to have been a sponsor of the 3rd Annual Ventura County Fatherhood Summit. Hosted by First 5 Ventura County, the summit welcomed families and featured a resource fair connecting parents to local community organizations, hundreds of giveaways, and nd navigating fatherhood.

We congratulate First 5 Ventura County for hosting such a successful event, and we applaud them for their continued commitment to supporting parents and children countywide and providing them with the resources they need for success. 👏

Earlier this month, we gathered to honor the extraordinary legacy of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Nearly three decades ago, the Reiners spearheaded Proposition 10, creating First 5 California and forever changing how our state invests in its youngest kids. It was just me of impact. Friends and family joined us to share heartfelt reflections on their lives, their leadership, and the legacy they leave behind — including Michele's sister, Martine Singer, President and CEO of Children's Institute, whose beautiful and brave words moved the room, and actor Cary Elwes, a close friend and collaborator of Rob's, who shared his own touching tribute. Marc Summers hosted the celebration with warmth throughout the evening, and renowned artist David Garibaldi brought the room to its feet with a live painting of his "Their Futures First" themed art piece.

During the celebration, First 5 California presented the Reiner Legacy Award to Governor Gavin Newsom, honoring his continued commitment to California's children and families.

We also recognized Assemblymember Mia Bonta and California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson with the Champions for Children Award, celebrating their leadership in supporting young children and families across our state.

Thank you to everyone who came together to celebrate their legacy, the people working every day to carry it forward, putting California's children and families first.

On day 3 of the 2026 First 5 California Summit, we had the privilege of closing out an incredibly successful gathering of early childhood educators, leaders, advocates, and caretakers. We wrapped up our Summit experience feeling inspired and connected.

Once again, we thank the attended for making this occasion possible. We look forward to taking the next steps towards tangible change in California for children and families.

Day 2 of the 2026 First 5 California Summit was overwhelmingly successful, with many important conversations over the course of the day, including panel discussions featuring high-impact early childhood leaders. From conversations about achieving universal childcare to how we can hat is helpful to California families, we ensured our attendees learned about the most pressing issues families face today.

Day 2 also included the Reiner Legacy Celebration. We thank everyone who came to honor the lasting impact left behind by Rob and Michele Singer Reiner – including their friends who were able to join us.

We thank you for an unforgettable kick-off to the 2026 First 5 California Summit: “Their Futures First!” This high-impact day was filled to the brim with important learning and long lasting connections being made.

The first day of the Summit was an opportunity to hear from as California’s First Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and renowned early childhood researcher and pediatrician, Dr. Dana Suskind. Attendees also had the chance to join in on fireside chats with candidates from some of California’s most important elections, including Lieutenant Governor Candidate, Fiona Ma, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate, Richard Barrera.

We are incredibly grateful to the hundreds of attendees, speakers, exhibitors, presenters, and staff members who made this day possible. The key to creating an equitable, affordable California for children and families is collective actions and organized efforts towards tangible change. “Their Futures First” was another step towards achieving our goal of giving every child the resources necessary to have the strongest start possible.

The 2026 First 5 California Summit, “Their Futures First,” is made stronger by the organizations that share our commitment to California’s young children and families.

We’re grateful to our Champion and Partner Sponsors for investing in this year’s Summit and helping bring cross the state to connect, exchange ideas, and inspire action toward a brighter future for every child.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this experience possible.

Be part of the conversation in Anaheim. Register today: first5ca.events.whova.com/registration

Today we're holding a little extra gratitude for Dolly Parton, a woman who believed every child deserves a book of their own.

Through her Imagination Library, Dolly put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of young children, regardless of their family's income, and acy a cause the whole world could rally around. Her generosity reached so much further, too, into health, education, disaster relief, dignity for people from every walk of life.

Her belief in what children can become when given the chance to learn and dream will keep inspiring this work for a long time.

Thank you, Dolly. We'll always love you. 🩷
Read our full statement here: ccfc.ca.gov/pdf/about/news…

First 5 California thanks Rescue | The Behavior Change Agency for its generous support of the 2026 Summit, Their Futures First. With 25 years focused exclusively on health behavior change, Rescue Agency helps government agencies, nonprofits, and foundations drive real action on matter most. Their work makes healthy behaviors easier and more appealing for the families and communities they serve.

Join us in Anaheim for California's premier early childhood summit. Register today: first5ca.events.whova.com/registration

First 5 California thanks the Heising-Simons Foundation for their generous support of the 2026 Summit, “Their Futures First.” Their contribution has made this important gathering of early childhood leaders possible.

Through their support, the Heising-Simons Foundation joins dvancing a shared vision: a stronger California for children and families, driven by collective action and meaningful, measurable change.

Join us in Anaheim at the Summit by registering now: first5ca.events.whova.com/registration

Jamie Lee Curtis, Billy Crystal, and Cary Elwes knew Rob and Michele Reiner as a force for good. From passing the proposition that launched First 5 California to supporting marriage equality, the Reiners have forever changed California. Join us to celebrate their life and legacy t and Reiner Legacy Celebration in Anaheim, CA on Sept 1 ccfc.ca.gov/summit

Change begins the moment we come together.

Kick off your 2026 First 5 California Summit experience the right way by joining us at our Welcome Reception on August 30th at 6pm in Anaheim. All registered attendees of the Summit are invited to attend at no extra charge.

Don’t o check-in early, and connect with fellow early childhood leaders.

Register for the premier early childhood summit now: first5ca.events.whova.com/registration