“Co-Leading with Parents

and Caregivers:

Bringing About Policy and

Systems Change”

First 5 LA

Presentation

July 2018

Presentation Objectives

• A better understanding of First 5 LA and its

parent engagement approach.

• Demonstrate how First 5 LA is evolving as an

organization that works closely with parents and

caregivers.

• Highlight the challenges, opportunities and

lessons First 5 LA has learned in becoming a co-

leader with parents.

• Recognize that the relationship with parent and

caregiver leaders is an ongoing process.

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OUR AGENDA

Introduction: Why is our relationship with parents and caregivers is important?

Part 1: What it Means to be a Partner with Parents and Caregivers

Part 2: Policy and Systems Change: Operating from Shared Values

Part 3: First 5 LA’s Best Start Communities

Part 4: How First 5 LA is Transforming its Relationship with Parents and Caregivers

Part 5: Our Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons Learned

Part 6: Q&A

PART 1

What it Means to be a

Partner with Parents

and Caregivers

A child’s success in life comes with increased parental involvement and an

increased knowledge of early childhood well-being systems.

• Leadership of parents and caregivers working with

community organizations and local systems to

influence decision makers is critical to

neighborhood and community change.

• Often times, however, community change efforts

overlook the important “on the ground” interactive

and equity practices that impact the success of

these efforts.

• For community organizations and local systems,

there is an opportunity to be intentional and help

equity be explicit rather than implicit.

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First 5 LA

Our Vision Throughout Los Angeles’ diverse communities, all children are born healthy and raised in a safe, loving and nurturing environment so that they grow up healthy in mind, body and spirit, are eager to learn, with opportunities to reach their full potential.

Our Mission 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.

Our Strategic Plan

Our North Star

Our Message

We’re investing in six key areas: Research and Development, Public Policy and Advocacy, Service Delivery System Improvement, Provider Training, Community Capacity Building and Communications. 

By 2028, all children in Los Angeles County will enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life.

First 5 LA puts young kids 1st because we can’t afford not to.

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Recognizing the Value of Community Voice

First 5 LA Values Community Voice:

• The parent experience provides valuable insights to staff in the development and implementation of policies and programs designed to strengthen families and communities

• Engaging and integrating parent voice at the front end allows for staff to make stronger recommendations to First 5 LA Board

• Parent engagement has been a part of First 5 LA since its inception

First 5 LA Recognizes the Important Role Parents Have in Influencing Policy and Systems Change:

• Parents as partners and advocates for early childhood well-being and learning

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Creating the Space for a Partnership with Parents

Engage parents in a more formal and meaningful way that informs First 5 LA in its planning, decision-making and advocacy strategies

What Makes a Partnership with Parents and Caregivers?

• Partnership is not a “Top-Down” Relationship

• Parents and Caregivers have the ability to

advocate and willingness to tell their own stories

to strengthen the narratives of their communities

• Evolving Nature of Parent Engagement

• Organizational Readiness

• Building Mutual Capacity

• Becoming Authentic Partners

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PART 2

Policy and Systems

Change: Operating

from Shared Values

Community Change & Shared Values

● Policy and Systems Change

● Community Voice as Value

● Organizational and Community Readiness

● Operating from Shared Values

● Holding Organizations, Local Systems and

Decision-Makers Accountable

PART 3

Best Start

Communities

WHY BEST START

The purpose of the Best Start investment is to cultivate strong collaborative

efforts among parents, residents and organizations so that, together, they

are a powerful catalyst for change to achieve and sustain positive outcomes

for children and families in their communities.

In 2009 and 2010, community partnerships were developed in the 14 Best

Start communities to foster this collaboration around a shared vision for

children and families.

https://youtu.be/1E_91XBTjzE

Building a Structure

Results Focused Partnerships

Defining our roles as a funder and partner

FIVE REGIONS

Region 1 – Central-East

East Los Angeles, South El Monte/El Monte,

Southeast LA, Metro LA

Region 2 – South Los Angeles

Compton, Broadway-Manchester, Watts-Willowbrook,

West Athens

Region 3 – San Fernando Valley

Northeast Valley, Panorama City & Neighbors

Region 4 – Port Cities

Central Long Beach, Wilmington

Region 5 – Antelope Valley

Lancaster, Palmdale

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BOARD ENDORSED REGIONAL STRUCTURE

(MAY 2017)

Regional with Local Customization

Fosters organizational network building at regional and

local levels

Provides the greatest opportunity for leveraging and

mobilizing resources

Facilitates cross-community learning and collective

advocacy

Provides direct support to the Community Partnerships

Considers community uniqueness

Promotes sustainability

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OUTCOMES-BASED SCOPE OF WORK

• Structure facilitates a system of shared ownership, power, and

leadership among all those involved in the Best Start ecosystem.

• Systems and practices are in place to encourage, support, and maximize

a culture of continuous learning, adaptation and improvement.

Goal #1:

Community partnerships have a

structure that reflects the capabilities,

values and approach to cultivate

strong collaboration.

Goal #2:

Community partnerships are

positioned to drive their community

agenda.

• There is a shared vision for children and a community change agenda that

advances policy and systems changes in their community.

• Individuals and organizational partners have the skills to fulfill various roles

to drive a community agenda within local communities and across the

region.

Sample Outcomes

PART 4

How First 5 LA is

Transforming its

Relationship with

Parents and

Caregivers

Transition Team’s

Impact and Change

A better design of the Best Start alignment

An informed support structure

recommendation

Inclusion of Community Voice in

Commission meetings

Moving forward…

First 5 LA recognizes the important role of

Community Voice

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Timeline and Milestones Topics 2015 2016 2017

June September October November January March April September December February March April May July

Transition Team Commitment

Rationale for a Long-Term Support Structure

Clarification of Community Partnerships Roles

Input on roles of current supports and intermediary

Development of characteristics of sustainable partnerships

Clarification of Intermediary role

Support from Capacity Builders

Support from Resident Engagement organizers

Shift of Focus Areas

RFI Purpose update

RFI Release

ROCs and NACs roles clarified

Q&A Review

Intro of Four Support Structures

Introduced first regional map

Review of proposed support structures

Role of TT members and recommitment

TT members meet

Support Structure Thinking

Phases of Preparation for Partnerships

Discussed equitable approach to supports and opportunities

Review of budgets

Reflection and celebration of milestones

Discussed characteristics and support structure success

Our Reflection Community Voice

Engaging in Design Process

Understanding of Community

Clarity

Transparency

Timely Communication

Capacity Building

Accessible and Inclusive Communication

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Parent & Caregiver Advisory Council

• A CAC provides First 5 LA staff with direct input and recommendations

from parents to strengthen and enhance First 5 LA’s:

o planning processes

o decision-making

o policy advocacy

o communication with the broader community

• Expands parent leadership and voice into diverse policy environments

(e.g., county, municipal, community, etc.) beyond First 5 LA

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Benefits of a CAC to First 5 LA Staff and Broader Policy Environments

Parent Perspective and Community Context:

• Incorporates parent/caregiver and community context and perspectives into First 5 LA’s staff planning processes and decision-making

• Understanding how parents view potential services and supports

• Testing of Communications and Messaging strategies

Strengthens the design and credibility of:

• Policy formation

• Investment implementation

• Parent/caregiver engagement activities and approaches implemented by First 5 LA staff

Parents as Partners in Advocacy

• Visits to elected officials

• Serve on other advisory and policy making committees

Community Relationships:

• Enhances parent and community stakeholder relationships

Research Practices:

• Provide advice about suitable research processes that are respectful of and acceptable to the community

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Benefits of a CAC to Parent Participants

Inform Decision-Making:

• Influence First 5 LA decision-making to enhance considerations that account for community context and personal experiences

Practice Leadership and Influence broader Policy and Systems Change Efforts:

• Parents/caregivers become influential in other leadership forums connected to county and other decision-making bodies

Strengthen Skills and Increased Knowledge:

• Parents/caregivers gain opportunities for training and skill building in areas such as:

o Collaboration

o Leadership development

o Communications/advocacy

• Parents/caregivers acquire information regarding policies, programs, services, and resources

Social Connections:

• Parents/caregivers expand relationships across communities and gain additional social supports, connections

• First 5 LA’s effort to elevate the voice of parents and

caregivers to inform decision-makers, media and the

public on First 5 LA’s key strategies and four target

outcomes: Families, Communities, Early Care and

Education Systems and Health-Related Systems.

First 5 LA Advocacy Fellows Program

Program Outcomes

For First 5 LA, the Advocacy Fellows Pilot

Program will:

• Promote the importance of First 5 LA’s

work

• Elevate the parent and caregiver

perspective in early childhood policy

and systems change

• Inform local, county and state decision

makers on the need of early childhood

services and programs and eventually,

the sustainability of these programs

The Advocacy Fellows Program will provide

parents and caregivers with:

• An understanding of First 5 LA’s work

• A deeper understanding of the systems in

Los Angeles County and their role on

early childhood systems

• Opportunities to partner with First 5 LA as

advocates and spokespeople on early

childhood well-being

• An opportunity to deepen their skill sets to

continue advocating with their

Partnerships, communities and beyond

PART 5

Our Challenges,

Opportunities and

Lessons Learned

1. Hierarchal Relationship

2. Power Dynamics

3. Decision Making Rights

4. Recognizing and Integrating Community Voice

5. Role of First 5 LA

6. Prioritizing Issues

7. Missed Emerging Opportunities

Challenges

1. Influence as a Public Agency

2. Leveraging Community Voice with Legislators

3. Alignment between grassroots and strategic plan

4. Valuing Community and their Priorities

5. Feedback

6. Learn from our Successes and Failures

7. Power in Partnerships

Opportunities

PART 6

Questions &

Answers

THANK YOU!

Rafael Gonzalez, Director of Community Relations

rgonzalez@first5la.org

Joaquin Calderon, Senior Program Officer

jcalderon@first5la.org

Alejandra Marroquin, Community Relations Officer

amarroquin@first5la.org