Key Insights from the Best Start Learning Agenda

Best Start - a place-based initiative funded by First 5 LA - is one of many stewards of the early childhood ecosystem in the Los Angeles region, working with communities to ensure every child prenatal to age 5 in the County is born healthy and thrives in nurturing, safe, and loving communities. As part of its commitment to shared learning, First 5 LA partnered with Engage R+D and Informing Change to co-design and facilitate the Best Start Learning Agenda (BSLA). The BSLA reflects a highly a participatory process that explores what it takes to activate, build, and sustain community-centered networks and cross-sector collaboration, all with the shared goal of improving outcomes for young children and families.

The learning agenda focused on case examples about what it takes to

1. Cultivate powerful community-centered networks and innovative solutions,

2. Foster healing and culturally affirming practices, and

3. Leverage local assets to advocate and support basic needs such as affordable housing and economic stability. 

The learning journey underscores that families do not live single-issue lives and many complex factors and conditions affect a child's ability to thrive. This high-level learning brief summarizes the progress made and lessons learned from across the Best Start networks and was prepared for funders, systems leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community champions interested in understanding what it takes to collectively strengthen early childhood outcomes.