Last week, several members of the First 5 Orange County team had the opportunity to attend and present at the “Their Futures First” First 5 California Summit in Anaheim. The statewide conference brought together early childhood leaders, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing affordability, equity, and strong starts for California’s youngest children. As California continues investing in early childhood systems, the First 5 Summit remains a cornerstone event for shaping the future of family‑centered supports and child well‑being.
Our team played an active role throughout the three‑day gathering:
- Program Officer Andrew Montejo presented on the vital role fathers play in early childhood development, highlighting the research and lived experiences that underscore father engagement as a critical component of whole‑child success.
- Program Officer Cristina Blevens shared insights on how strong early childhood systems contribute to a healthier local and statewide economy, making the case for continued investment in young children and families.
- VP Lisa Burke showcased the cross‑sector work of Detect and Connect OC, emphasizing efforts to strengthen well‑child visits, improve early identification, and shorten timelines for autism diagnosis to ensure families receive support as early as possible.
In addition, representatives from our Engaged Neighborhoods initiative, along with staff and consultants, presented a poster on our recent community‑based evaluation. Their work highlighted impressive outcomes for children and families and demonstrated how local partnerships can drive meaningful, community‑led change.
We are incredibly proud of our team’s contributions at the First 5 California Summit and grateful for the opportunity to share our work with partners from across the state. Moments like these reaffirm our commitment to strengthening early childhood systems and improving outcomes for families throughout Orange County.
