Families, schools, and communities all play a critical role in ensuring that children are socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively prepared to succeed in school and life.  Unfortunately, certain groups of children enter kindergarten less equipped to be successful in later grades.  The First 5 LA School Readiness Initiative supports organizations and programs across Los Angeles County to ensure that families and communities are provided the necessary support to ensure that these children do not fall behind.

In 2008, Families In Schools (FIS) was selected to provide technical assistance to 42 grantees of the First 5 LA School Readiness Initiative (SRI).  As technical assistance provider, FIS facilitates learning among grantees and their partners to build a sustainable peer learning exchange, promote successful implementation of SRI programs, and build grantees’ capacity to positively impact the quality of life for children 0 to 5.