Roundtable Brainstorms New Policy Agenda Ideas

Policy work is not new to the Commission; it has been integrated into many of the First 5 LA investments. However, since the establishment of the Policy Department in 2006, First 5 LA has been able to make a more intentional effort and investment in both internal and external policy-related activities.

To move forward with the new Strategic Plan, staff has assessments of the current policy landscape, a review of progress on the 2007-09 policy agenda goals, and an evaluation of how the policy environment has shifted over the past three years. Criteria for inclusion of specific goals in the new agenda was shared at the roundtable with attendees encouraged to focus on goals achievable in five years, rather than viewing the Public Policy Agenda as a statement of principles or ideals.

The brainstorming focused on 10 broad areas central to the still-developing 2010-2015 Public Policy Agenda, which include health care, home visiting, substance abuse, prenatal to 5 workforce, data systems, healthy food and physical activity, breastfeeding, early care and education, early intervention, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Participant suggestions ranged from advocating for automatic insurance enrollment for newborns at hospitals to encouraging support from private health insurers for home visitation services and lactation programs.

First 5 LA Commissioners Jonathan Fielding and Duane Dennis participated in the meeting, along with representatives from the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, the Regional Centers, Los Angeles Universal Preschool, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Children's Bureau, Preschool California, California Food Policy Advocates, L.A. Child Guidance Clinic, Community Coalition, The Children's Council, Para Los Ninos and other groups. 

Policy staff will be working over the next couple of months to further research some of the ideas for policy opportunities captured at the roundtable and reflect them in the newly developing Public Policy Agenda. For more information, please contact Kate Sachnoff at KSachnoff@First5LA.org or 213-482-7577.  To view the 2007-09 Public Policy Agenda click below.

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