First 5 Placer Press

First 5 Placer

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First 5 Placer Press

The purpose of this newsletter is to inform the community on news impacting the lives of kids 0-5 and their families. The intention of these stories is simply to share information, and do not necessarily reflect First 5 Placer's areas of support, opinions or efforts towards these issues.

First 5 Placer Spotlight: Halloween Safety Tips

Parents and Families

Marriage Data Reveals Traditional Nuclear Families are Disappearing across U.S. - with a Rate of Just 13% in One Major City

The nuclear family structure that once dominated American households is disappearing across the country — specifically in parts of major cities, according to a new report by the Institute for Family Studies.

The romance-less report on “marriage deserts” showed that fewer than a quarter of households with children are now headed by married couples in certain neighborhoods in Cleveland, Washington, DC, Milwaukee and Detroit, and emphasized a divide between these deserts and suburban-centric “married-family gardens.”

No Magic Age for Screens: What Parents Should Consider Before Giving Kids Devices

Experts say there's no magic age for screens, but parents should consider content, developmental readiness and safeguards.

Early Childhood Education

California's Youngest Students Still Skip School at 23% Rate as Roseville Cuts Absences

California's transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students posted a 23% chronic absenteeism rate in the 2024-25 school year, well above the 19% rate for all students statewide, and 2025-26 was the first school year in which TK became widely available to every eligible family. The gap has persisted for years, and it matters because kindergarteners' ability to read and do basic math is predictive of academic achievement by third grade and beyond.

Helpful or Harmful? When it Comes to AI and Young Kids, Experts have these Tips for Parents

While much advice and research around artificial intelligence and kids tend to focus on older kids and teens, a lot of critical brain development happens before age 8 — making those early years a key window to help kids understand what AI is and isn't, experts say.

Children's Health

California Sees Early Flu Spike as Health Officials Urge Residents to get Vaccinated

Dr. Phoung Luu, Sacramento County's public health director, has been tracking this year's flu closely and said there have been "more [emergency department] visits throughout the state" this season.

More than 95% of cases have been identified by health officials as the Influenza A H1N1 strain.

"Throughout the state, there have already been 34 deaths related to flu," Luu said.

Health officials are urging Californians to get their flu shots.

New California Law Expands Healthier Meal Options for Children at Chain Restaurants

Senate Bill 977 requires chain restaurants to offer at least one children’s meal that meets minimum nutrition standards. The measure is part of a broader package of state laws aimed at making healthier food choices easier for families.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Newsom Signs Law Forcing California Insurers to Treat Postpartum Mental Health, Not Just Screen It

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 626 into law on September 30, part of a broader legislative package expanding priorities for working mothers and families. The bill requires health care providers to consistently screen, or offer to screen, pregnant and postpartum women for mental health conditions, and it pushes insurers well past the screening step by mandating actual coverage for treatment.

After A Positive Maternal Mental Health Screen, What Happens Next?

California leads the nation in requiring maternal depression screenings, but Black mothers in Sacramento face persistent gaps in follow-up care.

Childcare

Other States are Rolling Out Free Childcare for All Families. Why Not California?

InIn New Mexico, all children get free childcare, regardless of the family’s income. Vermont offers nearly the same thing. New York City is rolling out a similar program, and a handful of other cities and states are exploring the idea.

Protective Factors: Strengthening Families Together

The 5 Protective Factors: Why the First Five Years Matter

The five protective factors are a framework used in child development and family support to enhance family strengths, optimize child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. These factors are considered essential for fostering healthy and resilient families. Together, these protective factors create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes the well-being and resilience of both children and their families. These are the things that make a childhood successful, that help a child thrive as they develop and grow into healthy, happy adults.