First 5 LA Commission Allocates Remaining $250 Million for 2005-2009

The First 5 LA Commission voted last Thursday on how to allocate $250 million in remaining funds for new initiatives and to further existing areas of focus in its five-year strategic plan.

Allocation decisions were made following an extensive public input process, in which community members were invited to provide input and comment on how the commission could utilize its remaining funds to improve health, education and safety of young children and families.

New initiatives to receive funding through 2009 include:

• $125 million for Prenatal Through Three: Early development and safety programs for prenatal through three years of age
• $15 million for Workforce Development: Improving the quality of early childcare and educating through training, advocacy, and public education
• $13 million for Healthy Births: Improving birth outcomes, and to promote health of mothers, newborns, and families

Additional areas receiving funding include:

• $33 million for capacity building, systems improvement, and sustainability
• $8 million for policy and advocacy
• $7 million for enhancement and integration of information systems
• $49 million for open grantmaking, including funds for sunsetting initiatives, such as School Readiness.

In the coming months, the First 5 LA Commission and staff will be creating an implementation plan for these areas of focus.
For information, visit www.first5la.org.