It Takes a Village: The Story of the San Mateo County COVID-19 Child Care Response Team
Throughout COVID-19, we had the opportunity to come together with organizations throughout the area to make BIG impacts. When the pandemic struck in March 2020, these leaders joined to create the San Mateo County COVID-19 Child Care Response Team. The Response Team identified three pressing needs for the child care field during the COVID-19 pandemic– […]
Addressing Inequity Through Flexible Financial Support to Families
To ease the financial burden of COVID-19, the United States government supplemented households across the country with COVID-19 relief checks. But, across San Mateo County (and the rest of the US), there were families that were not able to receive that lifeline. A disproportionate number of people living in the financial shadows are minorities and […]
Becoming Trauma-informed
As a parent, you are the most important person to your child. So being a parent is a pretty big deal, but it can also be challenging because there is so much to know about parenting. Parents learn and grow along with their children, and that’s okay. Your relationship is the foundation from which your […]
San Mateo County leaders seek more child care solutions
When the pandemic hit, childcare was not included in the state emergency plan, yet the sudden changes due to COVID-19 exacerbated so many parts of the current child care systems that need attention and investment. Although our partners did an extraordinary job maintaining stability for parents and providers during the crisis, more support for childcare […]
San Mateo County fathers continue to learn and grow with their kids
Yesterday was Father’s Day, and First 5 San Mateo County is excited to wish all fathers a special and reflective day with their families. Thank you to the fathers and father figures who play an imperative role in raising children. Our communities are stronger thanks to the commitment of fathers, and we were lucky to […]
Supporting children and families through a bilingual parent co-op: Q&A with Puente de la Costa Sur
Puente de la Costa Sur supports families in San Mateo County’s coastal communities, providing resources and programs and advocating for communities and families. Puente is a First 5 San Mateo County partner, funded to provide a bilingual parent-participatory cooperative preschool, Sueños Unidos-United Dreams. Lizeth Hernandez, Education Director, recently spoke at a First 5 San Mateo […]
New Release: Early Identification and Intervention (EII) Environmental Scan
The CDC estimates that 17% of all children have developmental delays. Yet in San Mateo County, only 6% of children 0-5 years receive EII services. Timely access to early intervention services is a priority for First 5 San Mateo County and the agencies we fund to support an integrated system for children with special needs. […]
Updated vaccine access information for the child care workforce
COVID-19 vaccines are now available to all San Mateo County residents over age 16. First 5 San Mateo County and our partners continue to prioritize and support access to vaccines for child care providers. For information on how to get an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine download an information sheet (in English, Spanish, and Chinese) […]
Honoring young children and educators during the Week of the Young Child
Last week marked the Week of the Young Child, a time to honor educators and those who make a difference in young children’s lives. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this celebration, established in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to focus attention on the needs of young children and […]
A celebration of the children
We know how important children’s earliest years are in shaping their learning and development. Never before have the needs of young children and their families been more pressing. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how critical child care is for all children and families. This week is the 50th Anniversary of Week of the Young Child […]
