First 5 LA is guided by its Board of Commissioners who promote, support and improve the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age.
The First 5 LA Board of Commissioners is comprised of 17 members (nine voting, four ex-officio, four alternates). The Board includes voting members appointed by each of the Los Angeles County supervisors and the L.A. County departments of Children and Family Services, Public Health and Mental Health. The Chairman of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors also serves as Chairman of the First 5 LA Commission.
The Board also includes representatives from other educational, children and families organizations throughout the county. 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 at least 72 hours in advance. Please check our calendar for all updated meeting information and scroll below for Commission meeting packets, summaries, and minutes.
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.
The Commission has received the Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for ten consecutive years beginning in FY 2007-08...
A Message from First 5 LA Executive Director Kim Belshé
Fellow Champions for Children:
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives and communities in far-reaching and profound ways, contributing to a stressful environment being experienced by individuals, parents, caregivers, family members, community members, and professionals.
First 5 LA understands that being a parent has become unexpectedly complicated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families across Los Angeles County are for the first time facing unfamiliar stresses from stay-at-home orders, home-schooling, and economic uncertainties.
We also understand that one of a child’s most important persons is their caregiver. That’s why we encourage parents and caregivers to prioritize self-care, so they are able to continue caring for their family through this pandemic.
Our “new normal” is ever-changing and challenging, calling on each of us to be attentive to facts, to not be driven by fear and to draw on what sustains and centers us.
In these uncertain times, parents and caregivers across Los Angeles County need trusted information and resources pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We stand firmly with parents, communities and all public and private partner organizations by informing, supporting and advocating for young children and their families.
In partnership, First 5 LA and multiple L.A. County agencies, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations are here to help with information, resources, and services and supports to help families stay informed, healthy and connected. Learn more by visiting our COVID-19 General Alerts & Resources page.
In this time of physical distancing, First 5 LA is committed to helping families feel connected—and able to find mental health and wellness resources if and when needed, now and in the future.
It calls on First 5 LA and its partners’ continued focus on strengthening public and community systems, advancing and building on community experience, expanding our influence and impact with data, and optimizing our own organizational effectiveness.
Through our partnerships we are moving forward and making systems of service work better for all children. At First 5 LA, we do that by changing policies and practices and building public will to prioritize young children and more effectively meet their needs.
We are inspired by the early results of our efforts to collaboratively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working together, we have helped coordinate a countywide childcare plan for essential workers, transitioned our home visiting workforce to virtual models, collaborated with our Best Start partners to address urgent community-identified needs, and developed clear federal and state advocacy messages that prioritize young children and families.
These highlights are but a few examples of the important responsive work we have launched at this critical time in our community, and the forerunners of work we will continue to minimize the pandemic’s impact on our most vulnerable families.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our children.
