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:
Auditing Services Pool Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
POSTING DATE: July 15, 2021 CLOSING DATE: 5:00 p.m. PST on July 30, 2021 UPDATE(S): July 27, 2021 - Q&A Responses posted ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Proposers must meet the following minimum requirements: CPA firm with a business license to practice accounting in California. Experience with governmental accounting and relevant standards Be in good standing with the California Board of Accountancy...
First 5: 2021-22 State Budget Prioritizes Equity, Supports Whole-Child, Whole-Family Wellbeing
ALAMEDA, CA (July 13, 2021) – First 5 congratulates and appreciates the Legislature and Governor Newsom for their hard work to create a 2021-22 state budget that supports the wellbeing of young children and their families, and focuses especially on those farthest from opportunity. SB 129 was signed into law yesterday. “After a year that has taxed children, families, and early childhood...
L.A. Care Collaborates with First 5 LA to Improve Child Development as Part of Help Me Grow LA
July 13, 2021 First 5 LA Awards L.A. Care a $1.2 Million Grant to Help Increase Developmental Screenings LOS ANGELES - California ranks 43rd in the nation when it comes to conducting developmental screenings for infants and toddlers. In fact, only 21 percent of children in the state receive timely developmental screenings for language,...
Home Visitors Tap Resilience and Adaptability to Thrive in a Tough Year
June 29, 2021 If there is a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the resilience and adaptability of home visitors who continued to help thousands of families with child rearing...
June 10, 2021 Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary
June 29, 2021 Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor and Commissioner Chair Sheila Kuehl began the June 10, 2021, Commission meeting by introducing two new...
Early Childhood Matters – June 2021
Filling a Gap with LGBTQ+ Training for Parent Coaches
June 29, 2021 In discussions about parenting and children, one group often gets overlooked: LGBTQ+ families. With inclusiveness as one of its top priorities, LA Best Babies Network,...
Before the Healing Can Begin
FIRST 5 LA CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH Today, June 18, First 5 LA has closed its office in honor of the oldest nationally celebrated...
Celebrating Juneteenth: Freedom Day
June 19, 2021 While Americans traditionally celebrate July 4th as the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence which declared the original colonies to be free from British rule, the reality of the matter is that not everyone living in the U.S. was either free or a citizen on that day in 1776. The journey to freedom would remain long and arduous for slaves for another 89...
Resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Families
Resources for Kids/Families/Educators/Caregivers: Free Online Global Story Time 免費全球故事會 - Ni Hao Chinese Storytime aims to bring joy and laughter to your house through interesting stories, music, dance, and hands-on activities. We would like to create a space where children from all around the world can enjoy good stories, learn Mandarin and interact with each other in this challenged time....
