The First 5 Sacramento Commission understands that the adverse impacts of racism begin prenatally, and are reflected in large, racially-based disparities in rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality, developmental and behavioral challenges, childhood asthma, lead poisoning and other health issues.
“As stewards of resources and programs that support our community’s youngest people and their families, we have an obligation to clearly articulate First 5’s intent to ensure racism has no place in what we do and how we do it,” said First District Supervisor and Chair of the First 5 Sacramento Commission Phil Serna. “The resolution we adopted is the road map to ensure concern for racial equity and social justice permeates everything we do, and that we’re held accountable.”
The document is a first step in First 5 Sacramento’s efforts to center racial equity, diversity and inclusion into the agency’s critical early childhood services. The resolution is the Commission’s pledge to actively and intentionally engage in work to dismantle racism both within and outside the First 5 network.
