Strategic Plan: Community Selection Methodology

To make our selections we are identifying the high need areas of L.A. County by using the following types of analysis: assessing risk indicators such as low-birth weight, low-performing schools and poverty; as well as evaluating the strengths and capacity of each community including its leadership infrastructure and its potential for partnership.

To examine risk indicators, First 5 LA worked closely with The Advancement Project (TAP) -- a policy, communications and legal action group -- and used its community mapping resource, known to many as Healthy City. TAP looked at data from sources such as the L.A. County Health Survey, the Census and the L.A. County 211 resource database to identify communities of greatest need. In addition to assessing risk indicators, TAP also looked at community infrastructure, including preschools, libraries, hospitals, parks, grocery stores and licensed child care providers.

To gauge community capacity and leadership, First 5 LA worked with Special Services for Groups (SSG), a community research organization. SSG and First 5 LA staff held several focus groups in communities throughout the county to better understand each one's capacity to support First 5 LA's vision of helping children. Additionally, other professionals representing public agencies, foundations and community groups were interviewed to provide input on community capacity.

First 5 LA's community research will conclude with a selection of target communities as part of the new place-based approach, which will be announced at the May 13 Commission meeting. First 5 LA looks forward to beginning a new journey to give children in these communities the best start in life.  

For more information about First 5 LA's community selection process, please contact us at StrategicPlan@First5LA.org.

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