“Home visiting is a great area of potential partnership between First 5 LA and the County.” – Board Chair and L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl

These Commission Summaries are intended to provide highlights of the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners’ actions to advance the outcome areas of First 5 LA’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan.

At the May 12 Commission meeting, highlights include approval of a new strategic partnership with Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), a presentation on the annual review and update on First 5 LA’s Strategic Plan, reception of First 5 California’s annual report and a farewell to outgoing Alternate Commissioner Suzanne Bostwick.

The Board of Commissioners meets on the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated at the First 5 LA offices. All meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted on our website at least 72 hours in advance. Please check our Commission Calendar for all updated meeting information and click here for Commission meeting packets, agendas, summaries and meeting notes.

Entering a new era of collaboration with Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), the Board unanimously approved a strategic partnership that uses the remaining $51 million balance of First 5 LA’s long-term commitment to improve the quality of preschool in Los Angeles County. Read more in this related article.

As part of the Proposition 10 requirements that the Commission hold public hearings at least annually to review First 5 California’s annual report and First 5 LA’s strategic plan, the Board unanimously approved the annual report and received a presentation from staff on the strategic plan. Among the key takeaways on implementation of the new strategic plan was First 5 LA’s focus on a partnership based approach, particularly in the Health Systems outcome area (Trauma-Informed Care and Help Me Grow) and a more strategic focus on partnerships with county agencies and collaboration on complex issues such as homelessness and child protection.

The Board also gave a hearty farewell to outgoing alternate Commissioner Suzanne Bostwick, who also was retiring from her position as the interim director for Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Programs (MCAH) for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. See related article here.




Honoring AANHPI Innovators and Leaders, Past and Future

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As We Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaíian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month  This May, First 5 LA joins Los Angeles County in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaíian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Originally designated as a week-long...

Media Campaign to Promote Bilingualism Adds Four New Languages

Media Campaign to Promote Bilingualism Adds Four New Languages

Christina Hoag | Freelance Writer April 25, 2024 Last year, Spanish and Chinese. This year, Vietnamese, Khmer, Korean and Armenian. The Dual Language Learner Initiative has launched a new media campaign in four additional languages to encourage increased bilingualism...

Home Visiting Garners Increasing Official Recognition

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  Christina Hoag | Freelance Writer April 25, 2024 In April, four of Los Angeles County’s biggest cities officially recognized Home Visiting Day for the first time, a sign of home visiting’s expanding public awareness and the region’s leading role in the programs...

March 14, 2024, Board of Commission Meeting Summary

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Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer March 27, 2024 The First 5 LA Board of Commissioners convened in person and virtually on March 14, 2024. The agenda included the approval of a new Early Care & Education agreement, an authorization for First 5 LA staff to receive...

New Study Examines Developmental Concerns of Families in WIC

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 Ann Isbell | First 5 LA Health Systems Program Officer March 27, 2024 Because parents are deeply attuned to their children, they are often the first to notice a developmental concern. But when they have questions about their child’s developmental progress, many...

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