The Atlas Family Foundation was established in 1985 to invest in building human capital supporting community-based programs that place individuals on a trajectory to good health and success by serving the needs of young children and their families in Southern California. We focus on the earliest stages of life, prenatal care to three years of age, when the critical ingredients for success in relationships, school, jobs and family life are in development. Prenatal and early child development lay the groundwork for a lifetime of vitality and success, setting families and young children on the right path and optimum trajectory from the very beginning. It also represents the single most cost-effective way to ensure the healthy development of children in poverty or adversity. Dollar for dollar, prenatal and early child development offer the greatest returns to society.