By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
The Los Angeles Office of Child Protection (OCP) yesterday released a proposed five-year Strategic Plan to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, aimed at taking a proactive stance in support of the well-being of the County’s children, youth, and families.
The plan focuses on three key areas: (1) building community pathways to upstream prevention supports and services for families; (2) enhancing the Children and Youth System of Care partnership; and (3) improving behavioral health and health outcomes for children and youth.
The LA County Board of Supervisors gave the plan a unanimous thumbs-up.
“The Office of Child Protection has played a pivotal role in providing invaluable insight and experience to safeguard the well-being of our youngest residents. As the needs of children and families evolve, OCP is refining its preventative measures to protect the well-being of children, youth, and families,” said LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said the new plan will help the County build real pathways to comprehensive safety, support families and youth, and strengthen the County’s ability to maximize resources, advance care, and align policies. By doing so, we ensure that our most vulnerable communities remain at the center of our work so every child is safe, supported, and able to thrive.”
“This Strategic Plan is grounded in the wisdom of our communities and the lived experiences of families who understand what it takes for our children to thrive,” said Mitchell. “LA County’s Office of Child Protection is setting a clear course—uniting systems, advancing equity, and prioritizing prevention. Now is the time to put this vision into action, building on our collective strengths to ensure every child and family in Los Angeles County receives the support they deserve.”
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said the plan reflects the County’s shared commitment to ensuring every child and family can grow up safe, supported, and healthy.
“By strengthening prevention and improving coordination across departments and with community partners, we can better meet families’ needs before crises occur. I encourage community members, advocates, and partners to stay engaged as this work moves forward so we can build a stronger, more responsive system of care together,” said Horvath.
Supervisor Janice Hahn said the plan is important because it aims to shift the County’s focus from reacting to families in crises and intervening to help children at risk, to one where our departments can focus on prevention.
“This means identifying families in need early, getting them the help they need to get through difficult times, and focusing on mental health,” said Hahn.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger said children and youth under the County’s supervision deserve a system that truly supports healing, stability, and opportunity so they can reach their highest potential and become contributing members of our communities.
“That outcome is only possible when the systems of care touching their lives are aligned, communicate effectively, and are held accountable for results. This strategic plan provides the roadmap to deliver that coordination and accountability, ensuring our collective efforts translate into real, lasting impact for young people and their families,” said Barger.
Each focus area of the plan is built on targeted strategies to ensure goals are met and benefit the children, youth, and families Los Angeles County serves, including aligning policies, maximizing resources and improving connections between LA County departments and community partners, and ensuring lasting impact through measuring impact and driving continuous improvement.
The OCP plan was created in response to the changing landscape of challenges facing families. Through the plan, the Office steps into a reimagined future in which its role as a strategic hub for advancing LA County’s child and family well-being outcomes is clear, focused, and transformative.
These outcomes would be achieved through taking action across systems to provide equity-centered solutions that benefit every child and family in the County.
To view the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, visit: bit.ly/OCP-Strategic-Plan
