News And Annoucements 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.

A top buzzword for nonprofits this year is "mergers," says Lucy Bernholz, president of Blueprint Research & Design. Learn how nonprofits are learning to survive in a failing economy.

A recent report indicates L.A. County is making major strides in fighting child abuse and neglect and has the potential to create one of the most innovative child abuse programs in the country.

Accessing oral health care among pregnant women and children under age 3 is statistically low. Learn about what grantee MCHA is doing to educate L.A. County families on the importance of oral health.

Evie wishes readers happy holidays and looks forward to 2010, when First 5 LA implements our new strategic plan.

More than 600 promotoras, or community health workers, recently gathered in Burbank to exchange ideas and hear health experts at the seventh annual Visión y Compromiso conference.

Radio personality Josefa Salinas has achieved many accomplishments during her career, but what's been most rewarding is her work as a relentless advocate for the underserved communities in L.A. County.

This fall was a busy season for First 5 LA. Reaching more than 18,000 professionals and community members, First 5 LA engaged in outreach at numerous events throughout the county.

The Early Learning Challenge Fund would provide the opportunity to further strengthen ongoing efforts at the state and local levels to improve the quality of early care and education sites.

Evie gives tips on holiday safety, and highlights HealthyStuff.org's Third Annual Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys as well as helpful tips on holiday shopping.

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.

First 5 LA staff, stakeholders, experts and First 5 LA Commissioners recently gathered to brainstorm about First 5 LA's new Public Policy Agenda.

A proposed ballot measure could drastically reduce funding for early childhood programs throughout California. Learn about the California Cancer Research Act and how it might hurt families.

Evie shares tips on how to sensibly shop for young children during the holiday season, including when to shop and how to avoid gimmicky gifts.

Dispatched to the United States from Taiwan to train as an Olympic level swimmer, First 5 LA’s Daniel Su has lived many lives. A database administrator and a world traveler, learn more about Daniel.

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.

Starting this year, professionals in the San Gabriel Valley can receive a wide range of training options from one of the oldest resource and referral agencies in L.A. County, which in turn gets to diversify its revenue.

The House has passed H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act, but what does it mean for children? Learn about the pros and cons for kids in the current Health Insurance reform bill.

Evie recaps First 5 LA's outreach around the "Read Early, Read Aloud!" November child literacy campaign. Click to learn more and see photos of the events.

LOS ANGELES———The First 5 LA Commission today approved the Central Long Beach area as its second Best Start LA demonstration community, clearing the way for an investment of up to $9.7 million to improve the well-being of that community’s infants and toddlers. Best Start LA’s vision is to help create environments that support the growth and development of young children while strengthening existing community resources.

Dressed in Hollywood attire, more than 60 youngsters attended First 5 LA's "Red Carpet Affair" last week at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City as part of to kick off our "Read Early, Read Aloud" campaign.

Penny Markey is the coordinator of youth services at the County of Los Angeles Public Library and has worked with the library for 35 years. Learn about her journey to L.A. and her many accomplishments here.

As part of early child literacy month, First 5 LA is partnering with local nonprofit Families in Schools to promote local school and agency participation in this year's Million Word Challenge. Learn how you can join.

Acknowledging the loss of a 6-year-old girl from West Covina from a falling TV, Evie gives tips on how to secure home televisions so they don't pose a hazard to children.

First 5 LA along with the First 5 Commissions of Southern California announced today the launch of their third annual "Read Early, Read Aloud" early child literacy campaign for November.

The L.A. County Public Health Department continues to educate about the H1N1 virus. Learn about who is encouraged to get the vaccine and download FAQ sheets for parents and pregnant women.

Evie announces the launch of First 5 LA's Facebook and MySpace pages as well as a daily Twitter feed.

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. 

The National Center for Children in Poverty recently released a brief outlining ways in which mental health services available to parents and children 0-5 in poverty are woefully inadequate.

Three L.A. County agencies have collaborated to host a two-month training and mentoring program for innovative nonprofits to learn how to succinctly and powerfully "tell their story."