First 5 Orange County hosted a free community event for families with young children ages 0-5 on Saturday, May 9 at Peppertree Park in Tustin, in partnership with First 5 California, the City of Tustin, CalOptima, and Orange County Social Services Agency. The joint event, titled Stronger Starts Statewide Day of Action, commemorated the statewide initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of early childhood development and the need to ensure every child in California has the strongest possible start in life.
“We seize any opportunity we can to promote family wellbeing and health and were excited to align with our fellow First 5 partners to host the Stronger Starts Statewide Day of Action,” said Kim Goll, President and CEO of First 5 Orange County. “In California, 1 in 3 children are affected by toxic stress, highlighting the urgent need to raise awareness about developmental health and support early intervention efforts.”
First 5 California’s Stronger Starts initiative highlights how families can proactively build resilience and buffer against the effects of toxic stress, helping to set a strong foundation for healthy development and future success. Held on May 9 across the state, First 5 organizations hosted individual events for families in their respective counties, forming a unified effort to raise awareness, provide essential resources, and create a fun, engaging day for the community.
Several community leaders were in attendance, including Kim Goll, First 5 OC President and CEO; Michael Hunn, CalOptima CEO; and Soledad Rivera, CalOptima Community Relations Manager and First 5 OC Board Chair. The leaders each emphasized the importance of communal gatherings and family-friendly events to meet residents where they are, bringing health and developmental services directly into communities to expand access and promote equity in care.
To learn more about the Stronger Starts campaign, visit First5California.com.
