The Early Care and Education Policy and Advocacy Fund (ECE PAF) is a five-year, $15 million investment. The fund is created to strengthen existing advocacy efforts and help create new opportunities for collaboration among groups and organizations seeking policy and...
Community Member Spotlight: Severiana Pablo
Severiana Pablo has lived her 58 years by one simple creed:“One might have a little but we still have to share what we have.”Severiana has done just that as a participant in Best Start Panorama City & Neighbors. Since 2011, Severiana has given whatever she can to help...
Groundbreaking for New Tot Park in South LA
First 5 LA and Best Start celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Avalon and Gage tot park for children and families in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 3.The 1/3-acre park, which will be completed in October, will feature play equipment focused on helping to improve...
VIDEO: Central Long Beach Embarks on “Learning by Doing” Journey
Throughout Los Angeles County, Best Start Community Partnerships have embarked on the “Learning by Doing” journey – Best Start‘s approach to Community Capacity Building. Partnerships are collectively moving through the decision making points that will ultimately lead...
A Dynamic Duo in Broadway-Manchester
While First Lady Michelle Obama’s health and fitness campaign “Let’s Move” is helping focus the spotlight on raising a healthier generation of kids, Priscilla Melendez and G. JoAnn Smith are leading the charge in their Los Angeles community to educate families about...
Best Start Families Framework Rolls Out
First 5 LA has recently undertaken the rollout phase of the Best Start Families Framework, or BSFF, at each of the 14 Best Start Communities, marking a significant step in the initial implementation of the BSFF.Approved by the First 5 LA Commission in November, the...
Change Dashboard
VIDEO: Covered CA Forum in Watts-Willowbrook
On November 20, 2013 the Watts-Willowbrook Best Start Community Partnership held a meeting on the Affordable Care Act and Covered California. Local experts and organizations came together to provide concrete support to the community by linking them to information,...
VIDEO: Best Start Metro LA and Panorama City & Neighbors Joint Communications Workgroup
On December 5, 2013, members of Best Start Metro LA and Best Start Panorama City & Neighbors held a joint workgroup meeting at the First 5 LA offices to share and learn about each other’s communications efforts and beyond. Pilar Marrero, journalist of La Opinión...
Belshé Testifies at Blue Ribbon Commission
During a recent meeting of the Los Angeles County Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Protection, First 5 LA Executive Director Kim Belshé spoke strongly about the importance of working together to reduce child abuse and neglect in L.A. County. "No one agency can prevent...