Our vision of success for every child means that children should have the opportunity to grow up with security, safety, stability, and respect from the first days of their lives. Creating success for every child is about constructing a nurturing and limitless future that we hope to leave the next
Read about the 2022 Child Care Needs Assessment, share stories about what child care means to you, hear from Family Connections’s Eric Valladares about why he chose to vaccinate his children, register for a webinar about children and gender identity, and while you’re at it, sing the Dragon Song. All
The San Mateo County Child Care Needs Assessment found a critical child care shortage in San Mateo County with serious implications for our community. We ask you to partner with us to identify community solutions to ensure our communities have equitable access to high quality, affordable childcare. To turn data
When so much in the world is uncertain, parents do everything they can to protect their kids from the unknown, and the COVID-19 Pandemic has certainly been unknown. Now, children over 6 months old are encouraged to get vaccinated. This is the best way to ensure that kids are safe
The Child Care Needs Assessment was launched by the San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council, San Mateo County Office of Education, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools, and First 5 San Mateo County and Silicon Valley Community Foundation to find out how well San Mateo County is meeting families’
First 5 San Mateo County, along with the First 5 Association of California, is applauding Governor Newsom’s proposed 2023-24 budget plan, which was released Tuesday. The budget continues to demonstrate a commitment to provide for the needs of young children and their families and build toward an improved early childhood
Winter, and the holiday season, are here! And as much fun as it can be, this time of year can also be stressful. In this issue, you will learn the Dragon Song, from First 5 California, to give families the resources to help their children (and themselves) regulate their emotions
Wow! Catch up on the incredible conversation we had with Dr. Naveen Mahmood of Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Dr. Sylvia Espinoza of Stanford Children’s Health, in discussion with Eric Valladares, Executive Director of Family Connections about vaccines and boosters for your children. Children 6 months and older are now
Summer fun is wrapping up and fall is almost here! That means change is in the air, and even the youngest among us are very attuned to it. As so many rich conversations about mental health are expanding, it is important that we take special care to include infants in
When you’re a parent, you may not know what you don’t know. Children are complicated! If you feel like you have questions about your child’s behavior–a screening can help. What is a Screening? Screenings can be a great way to ensure that your child is on track socially, emotionally, developmentally,
Hear from Deputy Director of First 5 San Mateo County, Michelle Blakely, on building equity, fighting discrimination, and fostering access when it comes to developmental screenings. If you’re having trouble viewing in your browser, click here! Attitudes, Access, and Barriers Towards Developmental Screening in Communities of Color – 7/19/22 from
As the President & CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), Ms. Foust is a leading voice of the business community in San Mateo County and across the Bay Area on issues important to maintaining a strong local and regional economy, attracting and retaining major employers and
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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.
