Greetings Commissioners and funded partners,
Over the weekend, our communities exploded in grief, pain, and outrage over the death of George Floyd. Racism has a deep and lasting impact that terrorizes and traumatizes children and families, creating a sense of hopelessness and despair. Our community should not have to fear that they will be treated differently and harmed because of the color of their skin.
At First 5 Placer, our work is grounded in our commitment to diversity and inclusion. As an organization serving our most vulnerable children, we address equity in our mission, our strategic principles, our funded programs and social marketing campaigns.
In collaboration with the First 5 Association and First 5 California, we’re ensuring a unified approach and message, and we will continue to provide you and our contractors with critical resources from partner agencies to share with families on how to talk to a young child about racism and violence and how to respond in a nurturing way during times of trauma.
Together, we must work to dismantle and eradicate cultural, systemic and institutional racism. Every African-American child has the right to grow up in a just society with access to quality education, equitable health care, and a criminal justice system that is fair.
Thank you and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
In solidarity,
Janice