First 5 California approves $10M Children FIRST program to support children impacted by immigration enforcement
First 5 California approved a landmark $10 million statewide initiative, Children FIRST, to support children prenatal to age five affected by immigration enforcement, building a communications and resource infrastructure across all 58 counties with a planned 2025 launch.
Key takeaways
- Children FIRST — Children, Families, Immigrants, and Refugees: Support and Tools — is a new statewide initiative funded at $10 million to help children prenatal to age five.
- The program will build a communications and resource infrastructure connecting families, providers, public agencies and community groups across all 58 counties.
- First 5 emphasizes scaling proven, equity-driven supports and rapid local response when enforcement events create urgent needs; a formal launch is expected in 2025.
- Key documents and announcements are available via the press release and the First 5 site.
What First 5 California approved
First 5 California’s board voted to fund the Children FIRST program: a statewide effort to build a network linking families, providers, public agencies and community groups so young children impacted by immigration enforcement can get help fast. The plan includes funding local partners and creating a communications hub to share tools, best practices and resources across counties. See the full press release for details.
Why the initiative targets prenatal to age five
First 5 leaders describe infants and toddlers as an “invisible population” in policy responses to immigration enforcement. Early experiences shape brain development, health, and school readiness; separations or household stress from detentions or deportations can cause long-term harm without timely supports.
How the funding will be used
The approved $10 million is intended to build a comprehensive communications and resource infrastructure that:
- Provides local partners resources to develop or expand programs tailored to local needs.
- Supports rapid response when enforcement events create urgent needs.
- Lifts up existing tools and improves cross-county connections.
Specific subgrants, contracts and partner names were not included in the initial announcement; interested organizations should monitor the First 5 site for solicitations.
Official comment and framed goals
Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, director at First 5 California, said the initiative builds on established knowledge of what works for families facing immigration-related stress and separation. Wong emphasized Children FIRST is both a response to enforcement trends and a way to scale proven supports statewide (see reporting on the TurnTo23 interview).
Historical and funding context
First 5 California was created by Proposition 10 in 1998 and is funded by tobacco taxes to support early childhood development and health. Its mandate includes improving outcomes for young children and reducing systemic barriers. Children FIRST targets immigration enforcement as a specific risk factor that can disrupt family stability and child development. Learn more on the First 5 California site.
Open questions and implementation details
Key details remain to be announced as the program moves from planning toward launch:
- How will First 5 distribute the $10 million across counties and community groups?
- Which local partners will receive funding and what criteria will guide awards?
- How will First 5 measure success—what metrics will show children benefit?
- What timeline and staffing will be in place for rollout and crisis response?
First 5’s public materials state the program is under development with a launch expected in 2025 but do not yet list subrecipients or an evaluation plan; journalists and community leaders should watch the First 5 site for solicitations and announcements.
Existing services and gaps the program aims to fill
Services that touch young children—home visiting, early learning, health screenings, and behavioral supports—vary widely by county. Many groups provide legal help, mental health care, or family support when enforcement events happen. Children FIRST aims to connect these efforts and spread effective tools such as multilingual communications, trauma-informed provider training, and faster legal-referral pathways.
“The work will lift up existing tools and programs and improve how they connect across counties,” according to First 5’s announcement (press release).
Implications for San Diego, California
Local need and population: San Diego County’s large immigrant population and border location make it a likely focus for services supporting children affected by enforcement. Demand for trauma-informed care, bilingual outreach, and legal assistance is expected to be high.
Where funds may flow: First 5 commonly works through county First 5 commissions, community-based organizations, health clinics, and school-linked programs; in San Diego that could include partnerships with First 5 San Diego, county public health and social services, community clinics and immigrant-rights legal groups.
Services families may see: Mobile outreach in Spanish and other languages, training for early childhood providers on trauma recognition, faster legal and benefits referrals, and emergency supports such as housing or food assistance.
Strain and capacity: San Diego’s network has cross-border experience but limited resources; more funding could ease pressures and build responsive systems.
Accountability: Local leaders will press for clear metrics and transparency—who receives funds, how they’re used, and whether services reduce harm. First 5’s materials emphasize equity-driven partnerships and public reporting will be expected.
What to watch next
Monitor the First 5 California news pages for program details, requests for proposals and partner announcements as Children FIRST moves from planning to launch. Local agencies and journalists should request specifics on funding distribution, evaluation metrics and planned communications materials.
Reporting note
This article draws on First 5 California’s official announcement and local reporting. Key sources include the First 5 California press release (PDF), the First 5/California Children & Families Commission webpages, and reporting by TurnTo23 that includes comments from Jackie Thu-Huong Wong.
