The First 5 LA Commission is allocating up to $4.9 million in funds to begin implementing the Building Stronger Families Framework within its 14 Best Start Communities.
The Best Start framework reflects First 5 LA’s belief that if parents are strong and communities support families, then child health, safety and school readiness will improve. Towards that end, First F LA is partnering with Best Start communities to support parents to develop the capacities foundational to early learning and positive child outcomes.
“The implementation of this plan creates a clearer pathway to strengthen the collaboration between First 5 LA and the Best Start communities,” said Kim Belshé, executive director of First 5 LA. “Partnering with communities, First 5 LA is working to strengthen family capacities that support child well-being and promote systems change that will improve services and long-term outcomes for children, families in their communities.”
The 14 Best Start Communities are: Central Long Beach, Compton and East Compton, East Los Angeles, El Monte and South El Monte, Lancaster, Metro LA, Pacoima, Palmdale, Panorama City, South Los Angeles/Broadway-Manchester, South Los Angeles/West Athens, Southeast L.A. County Cities including Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy and Maywood, Watts-Willowbrook and Wilmington.