First 5 California Announces Camille Maben as New Executive Director

Maben to start December 17

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, First 5 California announced the selection of Camille Maben as its new Executive Director.

“Camille’s proven experience and knowledge about the needs and diversity of California’s children will help lead us into the next chapter as we continue to produce programs that support families, caregivers and teachers for the benefit of our children”

“We are excited to have someone as passionate about children and their future as we are,” said Jennifer Kent, First 5 California’s Chair of the Commission. “Camille exemplifies exactly what we are trying to do and that is making sure that every child in California enters school healthy, and ready to learn and succeed.”

Camille was selected by the seven-member commission to execute its mission of ensuring that children aged 0 to 5 are provided with the health and educational resources to enter school ready to learn, grow and thrive.

Camille brings a wealth of knowledge in the field of child development. She comes from the California Department of Education where she’s worked in various capacities for more than 16 years. She most recently served as Director of Child Development where she Co-Chairs the State Advisory Council on Early Learning and Care, and where she also helped win and implement the $52.6 million federal Race-to-the-Top Early Learning Challenge Grant. Prior to her work at CDE, Camille served as Chief of Staff to the Office of the Secretary of Education. In this capacity she was appointed to represent the Secretary and Governor on their education policy agenda. Camille has also worked in the Assembly serving as a Consultant to the Education Committee.

Camille serves on the Rocklin Unified School District Board of Trustees and California Interscholastic Federated Council. Camille lives in Rocklin and enjoys spending time with her family.

“Camille’s proven experience and knowledge about the needs and diversity of California’s children will help lead us into the next chapter as we continue to produce programs that support families, caregivers and teachers for the benefit of our children,” said Patrick Duterte, First 5 California’s Vice Chair. “I’d also like to thank Interim Executive Director Reneé Webster-Hawkins for her leadership the past few months. We are thankful to have her as an integral part of our team.”

First 5 California supports the funding of education, health and childcare programs for children aged 0 to 5 and their families. Also known as the California Children and Families Commission, First 5 California was created through Proposition 10, a voter-approved initiative that recognized the importance of early childhood health and education in a child’s future.

First 5 California also partners statewide with 58 First 5 county commissions to ensure that programs are developed and implemented in a way that meets the diverse needs of all California communities.

Currently, First 5 California is implementing its Child, Teacher and Parent signature programs that aim to help children, families and teachers build a strong foundation for the children in their care.

The Child Signature Program supports early childhood learning and school readiness in low-income areas to provide every child with the opportunity to enter Kindergarten ready to learn alongside their peers. It also provides early developmental screenings and services for children with special needs.

Its Teacher Signature Program works with teachers to increase the quality of early childhood education by supporting the professional development and retention of early childhood educators.

In addition, the Parent Signature Program provides information and support to parents to encourage healthy nutrition and exercise, and early literacy through its free Kit for New Parents, its Hands-on-Health-Express and its Parent Education website.

Former Executive Director Kris Perry left in August 2012 to head the national First Five Years’ Fund and since then, First 5 California has been led by its Interim Executive Director Reneé Webster-Hawkins who will return to her position as chief counsel.

About First 5 California

First 5 California, also known as the California Children and Families Commission, was established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education, health, childcare and other programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5.