First 5 LA Fiscal Year 2009-2015 Strategic Plan: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is different about this strategic plan from prior plans?

First 5 LA's new strategic plan builds upon the work that the Commission has invested in through prior plans. However, through this plan the Commission has chosen to prioritize a specific set of goals and strategies in order to more deeply impact children and families in a limited number of communities. This "place-based" approach focuses on strengthening families in targeted communities and represents an exciting new opportunity for the Commission.

In addition, the Commission has developed a "pathway" showing specific ways it will choose to invest in communities and countywide in order to achieve our outcomes. This pathway will guide our funding decisions in the next strategic plan. 

2.  What do you mean by "place" in First 5 LA's new plan?

In the context of the strategic plan, "place" means the geographic areas or communities where children and families live, learn and play. Research shows that the places where children live have a strong influence on their development and ability to grow up healthy, safe and ready to learn. First 5 LA is committed to developing communities that are safe and nurturing for children.

3.  Why has First 5 LA opted for a place-based funding approach to its new plan?

There are  many reasons for pursuing a place-based approach including; Children and families are only as healthy as the communities in which they live, yet some communities have greater infrastructure and resources for supporting families than others; Focusing on specific communities allows us to more accurately assess our effectiveness in changing outcomes for children; and First 5 LA has created significant infrastructure and relationships in certain communities that can be leveraged to achieve our desired outcomes.

4.  How many places will you select and when will the selections be made? 

We anticipate that the number of communities to be selected will range between 10 to 20 and that communities will be selected by May 2010. Upcoming Commission meetings will include discussion on community selection criteria and process and a final determination of communities. We anticipate beginning a community planning process in July 2010 and releasing funds through this process.

5.  How will communities be selected?

The Commission has undertaking a rigorous community selection process that considers a number of factors related to a community's challenges and strengths. These factors include community indicators of need and current levels of First 5 LA funding, the readiness and capacity of a community to implement strategies to improve the lives of children, and the potential for sustaining positive outcomes. As part of the community selection process, First 5 LA is considering a number of sources of information about L.A. County communities including data, interviews with community members and other funders, and stakeholder focus groups.

6. Will the Commission continue to fund activities outside of the selected communities?

First 5 LA recognizes that the work we do in our target communities must be connected to strengthening key health, education and other service systems that exist countywide, as well as to advocating for policy change. Therefore, the Commission will continue to use its unique position in L.A. County to advocate and educate on behalf of young children and to improve the systems with which they interact. We will determine the best and most effective investment strategies that have the potential to impact all children in the county, including policy, public education, health access and others. These strategies are key to maintaining and sustaining our impact in the target communities. However, we will not fund direct services or community change activities in areas other than our target communities.

7.  What will happen to current initiatives and grantees?

Current initiatives will continue to the end of their funding cycles as planned. Current and former grantees in selected target communities will be encouraged to support First 5 LA's work in these target communities. Strategies created through initiatives that align with the strategies identified in the strategic plan will be considered as program models that can be incorporated into the new approach.

8. How will First 5 LA remain flexible to address emerging community needs and opportunities?

The Commission recognizes that there will be emerging trends that will pose strategic opportunities for investment during the next six years. Incorporated into our place-based investment will be opportunities for communities to help define their needs in response to these trends. In addition, in the next year we are working to develop processes through which we can learn about and be responsive to emerging community needs and opportunities.

9.  Where does Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) fit into the new strategic plan?

The Commission remains committed to LAUP as major component of our full portfolio that will continue throughout the life of the new strategic plan and beyond. LAUP sites will be included in any analysis of a community's existing infrastructure as anchors that can be utilized in serving families and building community capacity.

10. Who can participate?  Do you have to be a current grantee?
Any community group can participate as long as they have not been defunded by First 5 LA. 
 

11. How can I learn more about First 5 LA's new strategic plan?

Click here for more information, including a link to the full plan. Watch for continued updates on all aspects of the strategic planning process by subscribing to First 5 LA's e-newsletter, the Monday Morning Report. Direct questions may be addressed to Katie Kurutz at (213) 482-7556 or kkurutz@first5la.org.