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La Habra council designates city an early childhood friendly city
Summary
On March 3, 2025 the La Habra City Council unanimously adopted a resolution designating La Habra an early childhood friendly city, a first in Orange County, formalizing partnerships with First 5 Orange County, local school districts and community providers to boost kindergarten readiness and early learning supports.
The La Habra City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on March 3, 2025, formally designating the city as an early childhood friendly city and establishing closer ties with First 5 Orange County and local school districts to support early learning programs.
City staff told the council the designation would make La Habra eligible for additional guidance, resources and collaborative opportunities from First 5 and other partners. "There is no fiscal impact to this request," a city staff member said during the presentation.
The move makes La Habra, the staff presentation said, the first city in Orange County to receive the designation. Kim Gall, identified in the meeting as president of First 5 Orange County, told the council the resolution affirms the city’s long-term investment in children and families: "La Habra is making a long term investment, not just to the children of today, but the future workforce that will strengthen your community." Gall cited improvements in local kindergarten-readiness metrics, including a roughly 3% increase in readiness over the last three years and higher rates of early literacy and number skills reported for the city.
Joanna Perez, introduced as executive director of the La Habra Child Development Program, Teresa Egan, introduced as an early childhood development consultant, and Scott Miller, introduced as executive director of the La Habra Collaborative, joined city staff and First 5 in presenting the resolution and describing current local programs such as state preschool and early head start.
Council members praised the collaborative work. Council member Gomez recounted local history of Head Start in La Habra and thanked longtime local educators for returning to support the program. Mayor Espinosa and Mayor Pro Tem Medrano also commended the collaborative effort and pledged continued support.
After discussion the mayor moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. City staff said the designation carries no immediate fiscal impact and that staff remain available to implement next steps with First 5 and local partners.
The council took the action after a staff presentation and remarks from First 5 and collaborative partners; no opposing votes were recorded.
