Newsletter April 2022 | Fighting for Families on Advocacy Day
We gathered at the Capitol to raise key issues for families, providers, and above all, children. Last Tuesday, the First 5s across the state joined
We gathered at the Capitol to raise key issues for families, providers, and above all, children. Last Tuesday, the First 5s across the state joined
Every year, First 5 San Mateo County, along with the First 5 Association and First 5s from counties across the state, participates in Advocacy Day,
As we move into 2022, we are taking a quick look back on everything we accomplished and initiated in 2021. Dear Community Members, 2021 has
We are ringing in the new year early over here at First 5 SMC & we are so grateful for our outgoing First 5 San
When most of us were in 7th grade, we looked forward to driving, maybe the prom, staying up late. When Valeria Chavez-Franco was in 7th
The Family Development Credential Class is coming back. The FDC program is a professional development course and credentialing program to learn and/or enhance skills of strength-based
Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, families have weathered unforeseen impacts with strength and fortitude. The Silicon Valley Community Foundation set out to collect family stories of
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or traumatic experiences that occur in childhood. Prolonged exposure to trauma such as abuse or neglect, as well as to
Help promote health for those with limited opportunities to be healthy through the four community-identified priorities shared in the Get Healthy San Mateo County Strategic Plan: Healthy
As Shakespeare famously said, “what’s in a name.” “Money often costs too much,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson. A recent column by Paul Krugman in the
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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.
