Raising Kids Who Are Healthy and Ready to Learn
First 5 Orange County wants all children to thrive and reach their full potential.
One way we’re working toward this vision is by investing in neighborhoods to ensure families have equitable access to resources and closing opportunity gaps. Our Engaged Neighborhood Initiative empowers families and neighborhoods to advocate for their young children while connecting families to the early health and development systems, and the systems to each other.
We are engaging family leaders, providers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders, and together we are working to improve Orange County children’s health and development, neighborhood by neighborhood.
Engaged Neighborhood Initiative
The Engaged Neighborhood Initiative empowers families and neighborhoods to advocate for their young children while connecting families to the early health and development systems, and the systems to each other. First 5 OC currently funds collaborative Engaged Neighborhood groups in four cities: Anaheim, Garden Grove, La Habra, and Santa Ana.
Theory of Change
If we:
Support neighborhoods to engage and empower families
Connect families to resources
Connect resource providers to each other
Then communities will have:
Families that are empowered changemakers, advocating for solutions to issues facing their community
Equitable access to services
Neighborhoods with the infrastructure to support healthy children
Metrics for Success
# of cities or neighborhoods engaged
# of neighborhoods with increasing proportion of children ready for kindergarten
Kindergarten Readiness is a Strong Predictor of Future Success
Time and again, research shows that children who are developmentally ready when they enter the classroom are more likely to graduate from high school, compete for higher-paying jobs, and enjoy success and happiness throughout their lives.
Early Development Index
We share Early Development Index data in the community along with education on what to do to support early care and development.
We use Early Development Index data and other data sources to understand inequities and support advocacy and resident engagement in communities that lack resources.
We engage resource providers across sectors in all communities and invite them to join task forces.
Communities at the Forefront
First 5 OC currently funds collaborative Engaged Neighborhood groups in four cities: Anaheim, Garden Grove, La Habra, and Santa Ana. Here’s where these communities are on their journey.
Anaheim Learn Well
Anaheim Learn Well is developing strong local parent leaders, including graduates of the Resident Leadership Academy. These graduates formed Madres Activas de Miraloma, a group dedicated to building leadership and decision-making skills, hosting Kid Builders events, and meeting with local leaders to amplify the needs of young children and families. Their efforts are paying off: in 2025, the City of Anaheim passed an Early Childhood City resolution, opening the door for deeper investment in early childhood programs and policies. Established in 2014, Network Anaheim: Learn Well was First 5 Orange County’s second Engaged Neighborhood.
“I’ve enjoyed participating in the Learn Well Task Force over the past couple of years. The task force is a catalyst for bringing the community together to push forward common goals for our children and families.”
Garden Grove
Growing Up Garden Grove’s vision is to educate families and community partners about the importance of early childhood, encourage early learning advocacy, and empower adults with the tools they need so that all of Garden Grove’s children have an equitable start in school and life.
Growing Up Garden Grove creates opportunities for families to engage in early childhood workshops and activities, while deepening connections with the broader community. In partnership with local organizations, the group is strengthening relationships with residents and building parent leadership around early childhood issues and concerns.
Guided by the Early Development Index, the Garden Grove Task Force focuses its efforts on mental health and well-being, as well as the importance of social connection among families.
“With the support from First 5 Orange County, we’re able to further the goals of enhancing the lives of our youth. Buena Clinton and Magnolia Park serve Garden Grove’s most ethnically-diverse and youth-populated neighborhoods, and the city is committed to providing families with vital resources.”
La Habra’s Little Learners
La Habra’s Little Learners’ vision is that La Habra’s children are socially, emotionally, and academically ready for school, and ready to live their dreams to the fullest. Through Readiness on the Road and Music and Movement activities, La Habra Little Learners helps families find meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and support their children’s development close to home. La Habra Little Learners strengthens partnerships by engaging community champions and local businesses to support early childhood efforts. In a powerful demonstration of citywide commitment, the City of La Habra passed an Early Childhood City resolution, building on its active role in the La Habra Little Learners Task Force and reinforcing the importance of investing in the community’s youngest residents.
La Habra Little Learners is expanding its early childhood focus to eight neighborhoods, including Guadalupe Park and Portola Park Corridor, North Hills Ladera Palma, El Centro Park, Descanso Park, Oeste Park, La Bonita Park, Centennial Park, and Las Reinas Woman’s Club Park, ensuring families see and feel an early childhood presence in their own communities.
“As the Executive Director of the La Habra Collaborative it is a privilege to take the lead for the La Habra Little Learners. Our core team from City of La Habra Child Development, La Habra City School District and Lowell Joint Early Learning Programs have been working TOGETHER the last few months developing and creating tools and opportunities to support community engagement for sustainable change.”
Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative
The Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative (SAELI) continues to deepen its work with families by offering training and capacity-building through the Neighborhood Leadership Training series, guided by EDI data. These sessions bring community members together to explore ways to strengthen early childhood supports and to design neighborhood-level projects that help ensure all children thrive.
SAELI members have participated in the community health worker training and certification process, expanding their ability to help families navigate early childhood resources. Newly trained community health workers are now leading developmental playgroups for infants and parents, weaving Kid Builders activities into their curriculum to promote healthy development. The City of Santa Ana issued a Proclamation for Early Childhood Month, recognizing both SAELI and First 5 Orange County as vital partners in advancing early childhood well-being.
SAELI and First 5 OC share a Theory of Change that focuses on empowering families and access to resources. SAELI is empowering families to enhance early literacy and math skills in their young children before they enter kindergarten, based on the children’s unique needs. SAELI believes in the importance of supporting the family/caregiver alongside the child. They connect families to resources through a coordinated effort among their collaborative members.
“Estoy muy entusiasmada con este programa porque lo han diseñado en base al lenguaje y las necesidades de nuestra la comunidad.”
[“I am very excited about this program because it has been designed according to the language of the community and the need of the community.”]
For more information on Engaged Neighborhoods, please contact Erwin Cox at Erwin.Cox@cfcoc.ocgov.com.