In Memoriam: Rob Reiner

LA Best Babies Network mourns the loss of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, and we extend our sympathies to all those who loved them.

While Rob Reiner was widely known for his work in film and television, he was also a tireless and very effective leader in advancing the well-being of young children and strengthening support systems for families across California. As chair of the campaign to pass Proposition 10 (The California Children and Families Initiative) in 1998, he did as much as anyone to launch the First 5 network that continues to help millions of families.

We are proud and inspired every day to see the profound impact of First 5 LA’s Welcome Baby program and other home visiting programs in L.A. County. All of us in this network — and all the families whose lives have been changed by these programs — are deeply indebted to Rob Reiner for his leadership and commitment. See First 5 LA’s statement here.

Also see the LA Times essay “Rob Reiner reshaped how California understands and invests in children” and First 5 California’s statement, which includes these quotes from their leadership:

“Collaborating with Rob Reiner during the formative stages of the Proposition 10 campaign involved sustained effort toward establishing a comprehensive early childhood system with statewide reach. Rob approached this work with rigor, urgency, and a strong sense of public accountability, consistently centering outcomes for children and families. California’s subsequent achievement of preschool for all reflects the strong leadership and the policy framework he helped advance. We mourn his passing and extend our condolences to the Reiner family and all who are grieving. His legacy will continue through the generations of children and families his work has impacted.”
– Katie Albright, Chair, First 5 California

“Rob Reiner believed deeply that who we become as a society depends on how we care for our youngest children. Through his vision and leadership in founding First 5 California, he changed the trajectory of early childhood policy and made the well-being of babies and families a shared public responsibility. His legacy lives on in the millions of children and parents whose lives are healthier, stronger, and more hopeful because he dared to imagine a better start for every child. Our hearts are with the Reiner family and all who loved him as they grieve this profound loss. We join them in mourning a visionary leader, and we honor his life by continuing the work he so passionately began.”
– Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Executive Director, First 5 California

“Rob Reiner was a champion for California’s youngest children. More than 25 years ago he led the Proposition 10 campaign, to create the first in the nation dedicated funding stream for children five and under. Those resources led to historic growth in children’s access to early care and education, health care, home visits, early literacy and public education. First 5 California stands out as a singular achievement as a public good that has served millions of children and their families and inspired leaders around the nation to do the same. Rob cared deeply about all children and their right to reach their full potential and leaves behind a legacy that will endure. As we mourn his passing, we extend our sympathies to the Reiner family and all who are grieving. His legacy is embedded in California’s public institutions and in how we continue to serve California children.”
– Kris Perry, Commissioner, First 5 California

Photo/graphic courtesy of First 5 California