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
Safe, healthy parents are imperative to raising safe, healthy children. CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) is San Mateo County’s only provider of comprehensive intimate partner abuse prevention services. This organization is the result of the 2003 merger between the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention and Sor Juana Inés Services for
There is a shortage of infant formula, due to supply chain issues and a recall of infant formula due to bacterial contamination. The recall is due to bacterial contamination in the Abbott manufacturing plant in MI. At least four infants were hospitalized, and 2 infants died after consuming the tainted
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 the Association at the capitol to advocate for policy changes that benefit California’s youngest children. We are thinking holistically about what children need. What do
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, when we share with our elected officials our priorities for children and families and the policies we believe are needed to support them. Our 2022
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 brought us through some of the hardest parts of the COVID-19 pandemic and light is beginning to shine at the end of the tunnel. This
We are ringing in the new year early over here at First 5 SMC & we are so grateful for our outgoing First 5 San Mateo County Commissioners. Read about the commissioners’ work, some of the programs available, and some reflections on childcare advocacy going forward.
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 grade, she already knew she wanted to join the First 5 Commission. Her bright smile and confidence come across immediately. She apologizes for the noise,
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 family support with families. This FDC course is offered to San Mateo County individuals that would like to build their professional skills of partnering with
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 experiences, challenges, and hopes for their children’s future. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, families have been forced to be resilient. It is time that they have
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 things like poverty, racism, and community violence, can create toxic stress. Over time, toxic stress can damage a child’s developing brain and body. ACEs can even
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 Housing, Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Schools, and Healthy Economy. These priorities come out of our ten elements for a healthy community and build on over a decade of great work done by
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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.
