First 5 San Mateo County, with support from San Mateo County Health, is embarking on an initiative to transform service delivery for young children and their families. TRISI is a countywide effort to integrate a comprehensive commitment to address trauma and promote resiliency into our programs, structures, and culture.
Our long-term goal is to embed trauma- and resiliency-informed policies and practices at every level of the system.
Trauma refers to the effects of events or ongoing circumstances that are physically or emotionally harmful. For children, this can include abuse and neglect, as well as living in a household affected by substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence or incarceration.
Trauma can affect individuals, families, and communities immediately and long term, even over generations. It can have particularly negative developmental impacts on children.
Through the Trauma-Informed Organizational (TIO) Practices Assessment Tool, First 5 San Mateo is supporting partners to understand what a trauma-informed organization looks like and to assess their organization’s current stage.
We have also developed an Assessment Planning Guide, which outlines what steps agencies should consider when conducting an assessment like this.
If you are interested in using the Trauma-Informed Organizational Practices Assessment Tool at your agency, please sign up below to receive an assessment link. Please only fill out one form per agency. The primary contact for the agency assessment process should complete this form.
For agencies who intend to complete the Trauma Informed Organizational (TIO) Practices Assessment Tool, First 5 San Mateo County is offering additional support to organizations on the journey to become more trauma-informed through a TIO Cohort and Organizational Coaching opportunity led by Hamai Consulting and Trauma Transformed. The Expression of Interest form is due by April 11th, and submission of the form does not guarantee admission into the cohort.
Promoting ACEs screening and trauma-informed practices
A community and resource hub for information related to addressing trauma and resiliency.
First 5 SMC has contracted Hamai Consulting and Trauma Transformed to help lead our next phase of implementation.
TRISI is an initiative of First 5 San Mateo County, with additional funding support from the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) through San Mateo County Health and Sequoia Healthcare District.
© 2023 First 5 San Mateo County
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.
