First 5 Leadership Institute

Stronger Leaders. Better Outcomes for Children and Families.

Register for Upcoming Sessions

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 work is a clear goal: to cultivate leaders across California who prioritize the health and well-being of young children and their families—and who are equipped to create sustained change.

We believe leadership is a journey shaped by community, continuous learning, and shared purpose. Our Leadership Development Ecosystem offers multiple pathways for growth—ensuring leaders at every stage can strengthen their ability to drive impact in their communities.

What people are saying about the
Leadership Institute

How Leaders Are Applying What They’ve Learned

"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

Each offering is designed to build leaders’ capacity to advance equity, strengthen systems, and improve outcomes for young children and families.

Affinity Circles

Affinity Circles serve as applied learning communities where leaders test, refine, and apply equity-centered leadership practices to drive meaningful change in their organizations and communities.

Leadership Lab

Leadership Lab supports leaders to apply learning in real time through peer coaching, reflective practice, and goal setting—strengthening decision-making and driving meaningful change in their organizations and communities.

Learn at your pace, deepen your impact

Webinars

Focused, self-guided or facilitated sessions designed to build the core knowledge and skills leaders need to navigate complex systems and advance impact.

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!

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.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events!

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Literacy

Details coming soon.

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

The First 5 Leadership Institute is a key strategy for achieving the Association’s goal of growing leaders across California who prioritize the health and well-being of young children and families—and who have the tools 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.