Objectives: J&A, with Harder + Company as a subcontractor, is evaluating the implementation of the First 5 LA Place-Based Strategy known as Best Start, in order to ensure the attainment of four goals stated in its Strategic Plan FY 2009-2015.

Best Start represents an ambitious place-based effort to transform 14 target communities in Los Angeles County with an emphasis on strengthening families and building the community’s capacity to sustain safe and nurturing places for children to grow and thrive. As a learning organization, First 5 LA is interested in systematically documenting and assessing the organization’s implementation process as well as evaluating the implementation of proposed plans in the 14 target communities.