First 5 La Organization

A state commission chaired by Hollywood entertainer Rob Reiner violated no laws but failed to properly award millions of dollars in contracts and did not adequately justify many payments, a state audit released Tuesday shows.

Corina Villaraigosa, the wife of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, has been nominated to sit on the First 5 L.A. commission, which oversees $209 million in annual funding for early childhood development, health and education programs in the county. Villaraigosa, a teacher with the Montebello Unified School District, was selected by commission Chairwoman and Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina. The Board of Supervisors will vote on the nominee Tuesday.

The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Corina Villaraigosa, wife of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, to the First 5 LA commission. She will help oversee planning for early childhood development, health and education programs throughout the county. Villaraigosa, a teacher, will take her place Thursday on the 13-member panel. The commission manages an annual budget of $209 million. She was nominated by the commission's chairwoman, Supervisor Gloria Molina.

State officials on Tuesday unveiled a plan to strengthen oversight of $600 million in annual tobacco tax funds intended for early childhood development programs. The proposed reforms are in response to a state audit that found problems with the practices of some of the county First 5 commissions, which administer the funds. Auditors found that some panels did not cap administrative spending, while others lacked policies for awarding contracts or defining conflict of interest.

Officials on Thursday unveiled a telephone and Internet advice line to help parents in Los Angeles County with questions about children's health, education and nutritional needs. The free, confidential service, called First 5 LA Connect, links callers or browsers to trained specialists and health experts who can answer questions and assist parents in obtaining free or low-cost services for newborns and young children.