Commission

Commission

Helping to ensure success for every child through strategic planning, guidance, and oversight.

First 5 San Mateo County is led by a Commission made up of nine members, including one member of the Board of Supervisors, Chief of San Mateo County Health, Director of the County Human Services Agency, County Superintendent of Schools, and five members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

Commission & Committee Meetings

Join us! Meetings are open to the public and packets are posted 72 hours in advance.

Commission Meeting

Usually takes place on the 4th Monday of each month from 4:00 – 6:00 PM (unless if it falls on a federal holiday).

Reach Myra Cruz at ecruz@smcgov.org or at 650-294-4080 with any questions.

Program, Operations, and Planning (POP) Committee Meeting

Usually takes place on the 1st Monday of each month from 4:00 – 5:00 PM.
The Program, Operations and Planning Committee advises the Commission concerning the County’s Children and Families First Strategic Plan, policies concerning programs to be implemented and supported under the Strategic Plan, community needs assessments, program evaluations, and other tasks and issues as assigned by the Commission.

Reach Michelle Blakely at mblakely@smcgov.org or at 650-372-9500 with any questions.

Finance Committee Meeting

Usually takes place on the 2nd Monday of each month from 9:00 – 10:00 AM.

The Finance and Administration Committee advises the Commission concerning the budget, administrative costs, savings, investments, fixed assets, long-term financial plan financial objectives, funding strategies and annual allocation plan, annual financial audit, and other tasks and issues as assigned by the Commission.

Reach Khanh Chau at kchau@smcgov.org or at 650-372-9500 with any questions.

EC Evaluation Advisory Committee Meeting

Usually takes place on the 3rd Monday of every other month at 3:30 – 4:30 PM.

The Early Childhood Evaluation Advisory Committee advises the full Commission on the planning and implementation of research and evaluation activities; hears the perspectives of grantees on evaluation and data collection and utilization; serves as the initial audience for research and evaluation findings, and provides guidance to staff and evaluation contractors regarding presentation of results to the full Commission.

Reach Jenifer Clark at jdclark@smcgov.org or at 650-372-9500 with any questions.

Commission Documents

Meet the Commission

Headshot of Kitty Lopez

Kitty Lopez has served as the Executive Director of First 5 San Mateo County since 2012, focusing on policy, advocacy and communications development. Additionally, she is the Chair of First 5 Association of California. Kitty previously served as the Executive Director of Samaritan House, one of the leading safety-net nonprofit agencies serving low-income families and individuals in San Mateo County with food, shelter, clothing, health care, counseling, education classes, and holiday assistance from 2002 to 2012.

Kitty taught kindergarten, second grade, and high school in the Bay Area and in Santa Barbara, 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 in San Diego.

She attended University of California Santa Barbara earning a California Teaching Credential and B.A in Psychology. Kitty is active in her community serving on several community boards including HEART (Housing Endowment and Regional Trust of San Mateo County), STEP (Success Through Education Program), and Past President and Current Member of the San Mateo Rotary Club.