Following months of negotiations, LAUP has reached a new Master Agreement with First 5 LA extending funding of preschool programs until 2016.

 

The new contract has established funding thresholds by First 5 LA for LAUP’s preschool programs. It also identifies LAUP’s need to raise money to complement First 5 LA funding, as part of a cost-sharing agreement to support access to low- and no-cost preschool education for children in Los Angeles County.

“We appreciate the support of the First 5 LA Commission and look forward to doing everything we can to make high quality preschool more accessible because of its proven benefits to society,” said Dr. Gary Mangiofico, CEO of LAUP.

“This new contract provides us with a stable funding stream for the foreseeable future, and cements the relationship between our two agencies. It also signifies First 5 LA’s support of our efforts.”

As part of this new agreement, LAUP has agreed to focus its services in communities where 85 percent of children in its preschool programs must live in school zones where 50 percent of third-grade students read below proficiency level,  said William Sperling, LAUP’s Vice President of Legal & Compliance.

“At the core of this agreement is shared responsibility and shared expectations,” said Evelyn V. Martinez, Executive Director of First 5 LA. “LAUP will continue to take a leading role in ensuring the success of its preschool education programs. Together, we are working for the best interests of young children throughout Los Angeles County with early childhood education as a first priority.”