Implementing Best Start LA: Continued Commitment in the Midst of Persistent Challenges

Sarah Benatar, Ian Hill, Fiona Adams

Best Start LA-a place-based investment designed to improve the well-being, development and care experienced by children ages five and under-has gained momentum in its third year and become more firmly established in the downtown Los Angeles pilot community, according to the third case study of a longitudinal evaluation of the initiative. Home visiting through Welcome Baby! has emerged as the strongest intervention being implemented through Best Start LA in the "pilot community" and could serve as a model throughout Los Angeles County. Community-level investments have also become more productive, as evidenced by the funding of two rounds of "collaborative partner" grants supporting a range of strategies to enhance community services and supports. Systems-level work has been deemphasized in the past year to allow for more focus on promising Welcome Baby! and community strategies.

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