The Link Advocates, Governments, Families, and Parks Initiative (Link)
The Link Advocates, Governments, Families, and Parks initiative (Link) is working to create a model for collaborative engagement of residents, advocates and government partners to build healthier communities for children and families by engaging meaningfully in a community-driven planning process that lays the foundation for local infrastructure funding.
The Link model supports community-led organizations in building civic and planning capacity to access funding for parks and other forms of public infrastructure in a way that addresses the priorities of residents and families in the communities where it’s needed the most.
For years, parents and residents in the First 5 LA’s Best Start communities have elevated concerns that the lack of investment in the built environment – the human-made elements where families live, work, and play – affects early childhood development, learning and family well-being, especially their physical and mental health and social connection, particularly for families that are socially isolated.
As communities have been working to address these issues, there was a simultaneous shift in the financial and political context in Los Angeles County as it relates to the built environment. Unprecedented public will and investments emerged due to the 2016 passage of Measures A (parks/open space) and M (transportation/mobility) as well as a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 2017 motion to address food insecurity – the culmination of which has led to a transformative moment for L.A. County.
In response to this moment, the Los Angeles Funders’ Collaborative, made up of 12 funders including First 5 LA, commissioned the “Measures Matter” report written by the University of Southern California Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (now known as the USC Equity Research Institute). The report identified a key barrier to expanding open space in low-income neighborhoods as a lack of capacity amongst government agencies and community-based organizations as well as a lack of inclusion of residents in the decision-making process. This result of this has been resource distribution to wealthier areas rather than lower-income areas, which directly impacts the health and well-being of kids who do not have access to parks and open spaces as a result of their zip code.
To enact the strategies outlined in the report, First 5 LA, following a motion from the Board of Commissioners in July of 2019, established a strategic partnership with Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) to form the Link Advocates, Governments, Families, and Parks initiative (Link). The Link initiative was modeled after a successful collaboration to advocate for improvements in Zamora Park in the City of El Monte between members of Best Start El Monte/South El Monte, Trust for Public Land (a nonprofit park developer), and El Monte city officials. The project resulted in funding from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, $3.7 million grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, and $2.3 million in federal Community Development Block funds obtained by the city.
1. Build capacity in under-invested communities to leverage funding.
Link is partnering with four communities that are within the 14 Best Start communities. This will allow Link to pilot various aspects of the program including the creation of multi-sector partnerships and multi-benefit projects.
2. Ensure that parents and residents have a voice in decision-making and that the funding meets the needs of children and families.
Link partners are collaborating with parents and residents in the Best Start communities to develop a Community Park Plan. This plan will outline the community’s priorities for park and open space, ensuring that the leveraged funding responds to their needs.
3. Partner with L.A. County Regional Parks and Open Space District (RPOSD) to integrate Link into the TAP program for Measure A.
First 5 LA has partnered with RPOSD who oversees the distribution of Measure A funding. As part of this, RPOSD is developing a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to help municipalities and nonprofits apply for funding. RPOSD is using Link as a potential model for the TAP program.
Initially, the Link model is being advanced in four of First 5 LA’s Best Start Communities. These communities have an activated group of residents working on policy, systems and environmental changes to benefit families with children ages prenatal to five. The first Link pilot sites include:
San Gabriel Valley, City of El Monte
Community Partners: Active SGV and Trust for Public Land
South East Los Angeles, Cities of Cudahy and Maywood
Community Partners: Communities for a Better Environment and Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust
San Fernando Valley, Panorama City
Community Partners:
Pacoima Beautiful and the City of Los Angeles
Broadway-Manchester
Community Partners:
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, T.R.U.S.T. South LA, and Community Coalition
In addition to launching these pilot sites, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation will evaluate how the Link process works and identify lessons learned to apply to Link’s expansion. Link is also working closely with key stakeholders that are providing in-kind resources including the Los Angeles Regional Parks and Open Space District, Enterprise Community Partners and The Water Foundation.
Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) and The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation –– in partnership with First 5 LA –– have committed resources to advance Link. Under the partnership, RLF contributes to and administers a pooled fund that provides grants and contracts to support community-based organizations, technical assistance providers, and program evaluators to deliver on the vision of Link.
BECOME A PARTNER:
Through these kinds of partnerships, Link funders have the opportunity to improve the lives and public health of millions of people by creating parks, encouraging exercise, reducing pollution, and establishing spaces that welcome all Angelenos to safely enjoy a moment in the outdoors. Link is seeking financial contributions from other funders to increase and enhance the reach of the initiative.
Find out more about becoming a philanthropic partner: jg*******@fi******.org
RELATED READING AND REPORTS:
First 5 LA: Pathway To Progress: Indicators of Young Child Well-Being in L.A. County
Measures Matter: Ensuring Equitable Implementation of Los Angeles County Measures M & A
RELATED STORIES:
FIRST 5 LA ANNOUNCES AUREA MONTES-RODRIGUEZ AS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT AND POLICY
September 4, 2024 Long-time Community Leader Chosen to Help Guide L.A. County’s Largest Early Childhood Advocacy Organization, Centering Community Voice, Racial Equity and Social Justice. LOS ANGELES, CA (September 4, 2024) – First 5 LA, a leading early childhood advocacy organization, is pleased to announce the appointment of Aurea Montes-Rodriguez as its new Vice President of Community...
Celebrating Transgender History Month: Shaping the Future of Inclusive and Equitable Perinatal Care for All Families
Erika Witt | Policy Analyst August 26, 2024 This August, California celebrates its first annual Transgender History Month, honoring the rich history and contributions of transgender Californians to the state. Acknowledging that California has been a central backdrop to the trans liberation movement, last year, the State Assembly voted to officially recognize August as Transgender History...
First 5 Network Responds to State Budget Impacting California’s Youngest Children
Worst of proposed cuts to early childhood investments averted. First 5 Network remains cautiously optimistic on delayed program expansions SACRAMENTO, CA (July 1, 2024) – The First 5 Network today expressed a mix of support and caution following the state budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Despite an unprecedented budget deficit, important early childhood investments will be maintained or...
Working in Partnership: First 5 LA’s Community-Centered Approach to Shaping our Strategic Plan
By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer June 27, 2024 Voices filled the conference space at Saint Sophia's — a quiet, persistent murmur until you drew closer to one of the discussion tables, where the voices grew louder, taking on a collective life of their own. "… I just think 'culturally affirming service' is a very personal experience," one participant said. "What might feel affirming to one...
First 5 LA Board Approves FY 2024-2025 Budget and Discusses Equity Efforts
First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners Meeting convened in person on June 13, 2024. The primary focus of the meeting was the approval of the agency's proposed FY 2024-25 Budget and updates to the Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP). Staff also shared updates on the implementation of the new strategic plan tactics. Additionally, First 5 LA’s annual report to First 5 California was presented as a public...
Ripple Effect: The Transformative Power of Home Visiting Celebrated at 2024 Family Strengthening Summit
By, Christina Hoag | Freelance Writer June 27, 2024 Home visitors are change agents whose impact can be felt far beyond the families they serve, reaching other parents and children in the community and even across generations. That was the message that emerged from the 2024 Family Strengthening Network Virtual Annual Summit held earlier this month. “Your work has a ripple effect in the...
Pride Month 2024: Empowering Change in Los Angeles
June 2024 Summer kicks off with Pride Month! This month-long event is held in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City and to celebrate the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. At the same time, Pride Month is an opportunity to remember and reflect on the struggles that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people continue to face even today. Like New...
May Revise 2024: Young Children Face Challenges Amid Proposed Budget Cuts
Ofelia Medina | Senior Policy Strategist May 30, 2024 The Governor's updated FY 2024-25 state budget proposal, also known as the May Revise, was released on May 10. Similar to his remarks on the January proposal, Governor Gavin Newsom noted that the Revise represented a return to historical budget norms after years of unprecedented surpluses. And while he expressed his commitment to maintaining...
May 9, 2024, Board of Commission Meeting Summary
First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners convened in person on May 9, 2024. Vice Chair Summer McBride presided over the meeting, which included votes on the Revised Records Management Policy and Records Retention Schedule and an amendment to an existing strategic partnership. Staff also shared updates on First 5 LA’s Draft Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget and updated Long-Term Fiscal Plan (LTFP),...
First 5 Network Responds to State Budget Cut Proposals Impacting California’s Youngest Children
First 5 Network confronts the challenges of state budget cuts on child services and advocates for continued support for children's programs SACRAMENTO, CA (May 14, 2024) - The First 5 Network today expressed disappointment following Governor Newsom’s May Revision in response to the state's budget shortfall. Proposed cuts announced on Friday worsen the impact of reductions that have already been...
