First 5 LA To Assist Organizations To Access Federal Funding

ARRA provides a variety of funding opportunities for organizations including monies for Head Start, Early Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant, WIC, and the Community Services Block Grant. First 5 LA recognizes that securing these funds is critically important for young children and their families so local education and safety net programs can be maintained as California legislators balance our state's $24.3 billion budget shortfall.

California estimates that more than $80 billion will be distributed to the state through the stimulus package, including $27.2 billion within the areas of health and human services and education.  In addition, many grants will be allocated directly from the federal source to nonprofit organizations.

Funding allocation has begun at the state and local level, and a number of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been posted by the federal government.  Some of the RFP's require completion within 60 days, adding urgency to the need for application assistance. States, municipalities, public agencies, and community-based organizations are researching opportunities and preparing for the impending influx of funding, and the subsequent clients, and services.

As approved at the May Commission meeting, First 5 LA is quickly determining how we can best support our grantees and other family-focused organizations within LA County to apply for and secure funding through ARRA.  To assist in our efforts, we need your immediate feedback. We invite you to participate in a survey regarding interest and needs in relation to these stimulus grants.  If you have not completed our survey, please click here to begin.

Additional information on how First 5 LA can help support efforts to secure ARRA funding will be forthcoming. Please contact Allece Kelley, Policy Analyst, at (213) 482-7504 if you have any questions.