Spotlight Story Index

First 5 LA has supported community capacity building through Best Start LA, but it is also a primary component of our FY 2009-2015 Strategic Plan. Learn more about how it will be accomplished through our place-based investments.

As we embark on our new FY 2009-2015 Strategic Plan, First 5 LA has drafted an "Accountability Framework" to track our progress towards the Commission's four goals.

As First 5 LA embarks on our new FY 2009-2015 Strategic Plan, we are poised to implement a home visitation strategy to help the Commission reach our goals.

While it's obvious that family members and other individuals profoundly affect young children's lives, what's less well recognized is the influence of their larger community. Learn more about the importance of community in a child's growth. 

As First 5 LA's new Strategic Plan focuses on a place-based approach, many stakeholders are asking what that means for them. Learn about the five selection principles that are helping guide the process.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health has released the schedule for the first round of free H1N1 vaccine, and made available online the Pandemic Flu Toolkit For Early Childcare Providers and Families.

Working on big systemic issues often requires several incremental strategic approaches. First 5 LA's FY 2009-2015 Strategic Plan has outlined a "prioritized pathway," to help guide our way. 

At First 5 LA, we know that children and families are only as healthy as the communities in which they live. Our new "place-based" investment approach helps children by focusing our efforts geographically.

First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners has adopted a new strategic plan that will guide its investments through 2015. Learn more about our "place based" approach.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions that highlight specific components of First 5 LA's new strategic plan.

Trust of America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released "F" as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, a study that compares adult and childhood obesity rates among the states. The picture is bleak.

First 5's in Southern California are helping local community-based organizations and agencies seeking federal stimulus funds, leveraging the opportunity to strengthen safety net programs.

The WIC/First 5 LA Data Mining research partnership recently released Latino Children Showing Higher Rates of Preschool Enrollment, comparing enrollment rates in 2005 with rates in 2008.

Last week Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca and health and safety officials held a press conference to draw attention to safe sleep practices for babies. 

Capacity building is a hot topic in the nonprofit world, but the definition of what it means can vary. Learn how First 5 LA approaches capacity building and how we support our grantees in this area.

Alphonso and Jari Faison are a team in work and in life. In their pediatric dental practice they make a special point to treat children with special needs. Learn how this dynamic duo met.

Preventing childhood illness not only eliminates needless suffering but spares taxpayer's additional costs. Learn how Senate Bill 1 may help reform how children receive health care.

On February 4, President Obama approved a bill to renew and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Learn what this means for California.

First 5 California recently announced the availability of the free Kit for New Parents in four new languages — Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean and Vietnamese. Learn how to get this resource.

Governor Schwarzenegger's 2009-10 budget proposal calls for a permanent 60 percent reduction in funding to the state's 58 county commissions. Learn how First 5 LA is responding.

First 5 LA grantee Mother's Club, recently received the Flex Your Power Best Overall Award for its new energy efficient building. Learn how this "green" family learning center is saving energy.

Each year the First 5 LA Commission welcomes a new chair from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. This year's chair is Don Knabe, who was elected last week by the Commission.

LAUSD reports than more than 80 languages are spoken by students. Learn what one researcher from the University of Texas says about the benefits of children learning two languages.

Thanks to First 5 county commissions across the state, thousands of California children will continue to have access to critical health care services. Learn more about this unprecedented donation.