First 5 LA, in partnership with others, strengthens families, communities, and systems of services and supports so all children in L.A. County enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life.

Since 1998, First 5 LA has played several critical roles in improving outcomes for children prenatal to age 5. We have been Advocates. Conveners. Collaborators. Catalysts and Communicators of child and family needs and strategies that make a difference in their lives. 

To promote greater impact, First 5 LA established a new strategic direction in 2015 as an agent of systems change. In partnership with public and community partners, we help systems — including health, early childhood education (ECE) and local supports — work better for families. 

Building upon our role as a systems change agent and as part of our 2020-2028 Strategic Plan, our systems change work centers on three approaches: