First 5 Leadership Institute

Advancing California’s Early Childhood Leaders

Register for Upcoming Sessions

How to Create & Use a Theory of Change for Organizational Strategy & Fundraising

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Literacy

Medi-Cal Learning Community Quarterly Roundtable Discussions

Nurturing Early Childhood Leaders Through a Connected Ecosystem

At the heart of our commitment to strengthening early childhood systems is the belief that leadership is a journey shaped by community, continuous learning, and shared purpose.

Our Leadership Development Ecosystem grows with you, offering multiple pathways, like Affinity Circles or Leadership Lab, for engagement and development over time.

This approach ensures that leaders at every stage, emerging, evolving, or established, have access to the support they need.

Each component of the ecosystem is intentionally designed to build on the others, creating a cohesive and dynamic structure.

What people are saying about the
Leadership Institute

"For advocacy, I used the guidance to create a Commission agenda item to endorse a ballot measure and to inform what actions I can take after that endorsement that is legal."

Advocacy TrackAdvocacy and the Law session attendee

"Plan to utilize some of Elliot Haspel talking points on the importance of child care when engaging with elected officials/business sector to advocate for financially supporting quality child care for families."

Field in Focus TrackReimagining America’s Approach to Children & Families with Elliot Haspel session attendee

"Really great information, especially for those navigating the turbulent times and for a newbie to public policy."

Advocacy TrackAdvocacy and the Law session attendee

"This was excellent! So grateful you brought Elliot to speak. Gave me a lot to consider, and gave me hope from an advocacy standpoint"

Field in Focus TrackReimagining America’s Approach to Children & Families with Elliot Haspel session attendee

Leadership Institute Offerings

Affinity Circles

Affinity Circles are structured learning communities that bring leaders together around shared roles, experiences, or focus areas.

Leadership Lab

Leadership Lab is a structured peer-learning experience that pairs leaders across California in a shared leadership partnership model.

Learn at your pace, deepen your impact

Virtual Learning Tracks

Focused, self-guided or facilitated sessions designed to build core competencies and explore emerging topics in early childhood leadership.

Additional Offerings Launching Soon

Launching 2027

Fellowship Program

Lead with purpose and shape the future.
A capstone opportunity for early childhood leaders to apply their learning in a real-world project while contributing to system-wide change.

Leadership Institute Session Calendar

Skill-building and reflection

Stay tuned for more upcoming events!

First 5 Leadership Institute Update: Progress, Impact, and What’s Next

Join us for an update on the First 5 Leadership Institute as we reflect on our first year and look ahead to what’s next.

In its first year, the Institute laid the foundation for a statewide leadership development ecosystem designed specifically for the First 5 Network. Through webinars, guest speakers, affinity spaces, and cohort-based learning opportunities, members began strengthening connections, deepening leadership skills, and advancing REDI-centered leadership across California.

In this session, we will share:

Key milestones and lessons from the Institute’s first year
Early outcomes and participant feedback
Plans and opportunities for Year Two

This webinar is an opportunity to reflect on what we have built together and explore how the Institute will continue strengthening leadership across the First 5 Network.

Regional Commissioner Roundtables

Virtual roundtable designed specifically for current First 5 county commissioners. Offers a dedicated space for commissioners across California to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another through structured breakout conversations organized by county population size and region.

First 5 Staff Onboarding: Understanding the Network, Mission, and Our Collective Impact

Join us for an engaging onboarding session designed to welcome new First 5 staff into the statewide network. This session will introduce the history and structure of First 5, explore the powerful case for investing in early childhood, and provide an overview of key staff roles across counties. We’ll highlight how First 5 teams work together—within and across counties—to advance equity and improve outcomes for California’s youngest children and their families. Whether you’re new to the organization or looking to deepen your understanding of the network, this session offers a valuable foundation for your work ahead.

Medi-Cal Learning Community Quarterly Roundtable Discussions

These roundtables bring together county First 5 commissions to share experiences, discuss challenges, and learn from one another as they navigate partnerships with Medi-Cal managed care plans.

Leadership Lab – Full Cohort Meeting

How to Create & Use a Theory of Change for Organizational Strategy & Fundraising

With shrinking federal, state, and institutional funding and an unpredictable landscape, First 5 and other community leaders are facing uncertainty about the future. How do you have the greatest impact in this environment?

Get crystal clear on what you do and why it matters.

A theory of change isn’t just another strategic framework—it’s your organization’s story of impact, distilled into a powerful tool that drives better decisions internally and opens doors with funders externally.

Join Christine Fry of Onside Partners and Andrea Somerville of Somerville ConsultingFirm for an interactive workshop where you’ll learn to build and leverage a theory of change that actually works—both in your community and the funder pitch meeting. In this workshop, you’ll have opportunities to learn, connect with your peers, and roll up your sleeves to start sketching out your theory of change.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Literacy

Details coming soon.

Leadership Development and Learning Is Part of Our Focus and Our Future

Part of First 5 Association’s Strategic Framework goals is developing and implementing comprehensive leadership development programs and learning opportunities for members of the First 5 Network, the early childhood field, and other sector leaders.

Our goal is to have more leaders in California who prioritize the health and well-being of young children and their families—and have the knowledge, tools, and experiences to create sustained change.

Leadership Institute Advisory Council

The First 5 Leadership Institute’s Advisory Council is a small group of thought partners who will help shape the Institute’s design, implementation, and evaluation.

Our advisory council members bring a range of perspectives, professional expertise, and lived experience. They are committed to building an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable supports for California’s early childhood leaders.