Our goal is to make strategic investments and maximize partnership opportunities to make long-term positive impacts for children, families, and the community. Below are current funding opportunities.
First 5 San Mateo County (F5SMC) invites responses to this Request for Statement of Qualifications (“RFSQ”) from qualified consultants, agencies and/or individuals. The successful Respondent may eventually enter into contract with F5SMC to provide Communication Consultation Services for the development of a Strategic Communications Plan and Implementation Plan (“The Plan”).
Deadline to submit via OpenGov: June 25, 2025, 4:00pm
All proposals must be submitted thru OpenGov!
The ADDENDA are now accessible on OpenGov!
Through this Request for Application (RFA) for Child Care Facilities F5SMC welcomes proposals from qualified entities with direct experience leading childcare facilities preservation, enhancements, and development. Qualified applicants may include fiscally sponsored initiatives, community- based (501)(c)(3) organizations, coalitions, and collaboratives. F5SMC is interested in applicants who exhibit expertise in providing services and will work collaboratively with F5SMC.
Deadline to submit via OpenGov: June 27, 2025, 4:00pm
All proposals must be submitted thru OpenGov!
Through this Systems and Supports for Children with Special Needs Request for Applications, the Commission intends to solicit applications from qualified agencies and organizations interested in serving as the lead agency to implement the Help Me Grow San Mateo County system with a focus on systems improvement, increasing access to developmental screening and supports, and coordinated care and warm hand-offs to support children with and at-risk for disabilities or developmental concerns, their families, and the providers who serve them. The Help Me Grow San Mateo County system includes four structural components, as well as additional tailored services to support families with children from birth to age 5 and their providers with developmental and behavioral needs.
Deadline to submit via OpenGov: June 30, 2025, 4:00pm
All proposals must be submitted thru OpenGov!
F5SMC welcomes proposals from all qualified entities to implement activities outlined in this RFA. Qualified applicants may include LEA, community- based (501)(c)(3) organizations, coalitions or collaboratives, government agencies or consultancies. The Commission is interested in applicants who exhibit expertise in providing quality supports and early childhood mental health consultation and services in early learning settings to children prenatally through age five, their families and providers, as well as applicants that serve culturally diverse communities.
Deadline to submit via OpenGov: June 30, 2025, 4:00pm
All proposals must be submitted thru OpenGov!
Please note that as of the issue date of these RFPs and continuing through the Commission vote(s) to award grant(s), all F5SMC personnel, Commissioners, and Review Panel members have been specifically directed not to hold meetings, conferences, or technical discussions regarding these RFPs with prospective Proposers/service providers unless otherwise indicated in the RFPs timeline, Proposal Solicitation Process and Proposal Selection Process and Review Criteria.
Event sponsorships support community events that broaden F5SMC’s reach into the community and focus on the following areas as defined in our strategic plan.
Watch the videos below for detailed instructions on how to complete the forms included in our RFPs.
© 2024 First 5 San Mateo County
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.
