Commission Meetings

Commission/Committee Meetings

Author: Myra Cruz

First 5 San Mateo County Mourns the Passing of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner

First 5 San Mateo County mourns the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. Rob’s vision and leadership, through his advocacy for Proposition 10, made our work possible, supporting young children and families in San Mateo County for over 25 years. He’s pictured above in 2002 with the inaugural First 5 San Mateo […]

Support and Safety Resources for All Families in San Mateo County

Close-up image of a father feeding a baby a bottle

At First 5 San Mateo County, we believe that every family deserves to feel safe, supported, and connected to trusted community resources, regardless of their background or immigration status. Recently, the San Mateo County Office of Education shared a reminder that schools will always remain safe places for every child. All children are entitled to […]

Introducing the Baby Bonus Pilot Program

There has been a significant and ongoing investment in recent years to create more effective connections between healthcare and social services, recognizing that people’s physical, mental, and social health are intertwined. First 5 has long recognized the need to support the whole child and the whole family in our work.  First 5 and our partners […]

Caring for Little Teeth

Oral health plays an important role in a child’s physical health, school success, and self-esteem. When children have tooth pain and decay, they miss important parts of being a kid! Playing, paying attention in school, sleeping, and eating are important parts of your child’s development. As baby teeth grow in, it’s important to know how […]

Stronger Together: Parent Mental Health Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to reflect on the importance of caring for our mental well-being, especially as parents and caregivers. When we prioritize our own mental health, we’re better equipped to nurture the emotional and social development of the children in our lives. Mental health plays a key role in […]

March Newsletter: Welcome to Our New Commissioners + Home Visiting Update

Explore the latest news and updates from First 5 San Mateo County, including introductions to our three new commissioners. Learn about a recent oral health screening session led by Sonrisas Dental Health at Hillside Child Development Program in South San Francisco, and read an update on San Mateo County’s Home Visiting System Coordination.

Tips and Resources Related to Immigration and ICE

Here are some helpful tips about ICE activity and response in San Mateo County, provided by San Mateo County’s Office of Community Affairs. ICE has been doing operations and always have been – but they are targeted enforcement for specific people. Call the Rapid Response Hotline to verify or report ICE activity at 203-666-4472 or […]

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Headshot of Kitty Lopez

Kitty Lopez has served as the Executive Director of First 5 San Mateo County since 2013, focusing on strategic investing, community leadership, policy and advocacy development for young children, 0-5, and their families.

Kitty has served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Body for Build Up for San Mateo County Children’s Initiative, with Board of Supervisor, Dave Pine, since 2018.  Congressman Kevin Mullin is Honorary Co-Chair.  This initiative was established to preserve, grow, and increase the number of early care sites in San Mateo County.  

Kitty previously served as the Executive Director of Samaritan House, one of San Mateo County’s leading Core Service Agencies and safety-net nonprofits serving low-income families and individuals with food, shelter, clothing, health care, counseling, education classes, and holiday assistance from 2002 to 2013. 

Kitty taught kindergarten, second grade, and high school in southern California and San Francisco and was a consultant in schools with children who have autism and special needs. Additionally, Kitty worked in a residential substance abuse treatment center in San Francisco and psychiatric hospital for children and youth in San Diego.  Kitty’s roots in supporting children began as a 16-year-old volunteer at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles where she taught swimming to children and adults with visual impairments.

She attended University of California Santa Barbara earning a California Teaching Credential and B.A in Psychology. Kitty is active in her community serving as Vice Chair of the San Mateo County Event Center, and Past President and Current Member of the San Mateo Rotary Club.  She is currently serving as Past President of the First 5 Association of California. On March 2022, Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin selected Kitty Lopez as the 2022 Assembly District 22 Woman of the Year.