November 1 was a magical day, as First 5 San Mateo County staff gathered with partners and friends to celebrate two decades of thinking bigger – finding innovative ways of prioritizing children and families. With the help of the First 5 Express, Potter the Otter and our special guest Senator-magician
When a pregnant woman has a dental disease, her baby is also at an increased risk of developing a dental infection. Research has shown that without proper oral health practices and good nutrition, dental decay can begin soon after babies get their first teeth. Pain from dental disease impacts nutritional
By Mai Le, First 5 San Mateo County Program Associate. I recently joined the First 5 San Mateo County staff as a program associate, a diverse, flexible role supporting the program team. No two days here are alike, as I jump from preparing contracts, to coordinating meetings, to updating our
Heather Hopkins didn’t set out to become a childcare provider. But when her daughter’s flexible care facility closed, the part-time working mom saw a gap in the market that sparked an entrepreneurial journey and created a passionate advocate for quality early childhood education.
Lexie Munevar met Henry* and his mother Celia* when they first came to a Parent-Child Activity Group she was running at the San Mateo Medical Center back in January 2016. Henry was a shy four year old, who did not make eye contact and always sat facing away from peers
It’s been over two months since federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program expired. Without action by Congress to reauthorize CHIP funding soon, thousands of low-income children in California will be without health coverage come December. The reality of children living without health insurance is one we’ve seen before
By Emily Roberts, F5SMC Health Program Specialist Monday, December 11 marked the final meeting for First 5 San Mateo Commissioner Lee Michelson, who will be retiring from the Commission as well as his role of CEO of the Sequoia Healthcare District in Redwood City at the end of the year.
First 5 San Mateo County is committed to the youngest children in San Mateo County. As a First 5 San Mateo County Commissioner, a pediatrician and a father, I am inspired by my patients and their parents—especially the ones aged zero to five.
As our students get ready for a new school year, so do teachers. My friend Barbara’s daughter just got a job as a Kindergarten teacher, her first teaching job….and she is scared. Scared of making mistakes…..of not doing it right. Ah…..interesting…..I bet just like some of her Kindergartners. Teaching is a really hard job; I know because I was one. Most go into the profession because they care about children; they want to make a difference; they want kids to succeed. They just need help and support, coaching and resources….and empathy too.
Did you know that young children adapt how they play, learn, speak, act, and move as they grow? Doctors and other childcare experts measure this change and growth by a child reaching specific developmental milestones during an expected timeframe. There is room for concern about a child’s development if these
Getting to work on time in the morning is a magic trick in and of itself. For those who are able to accomplish this along with dropping our children off at daycare – you deserve an award!
As we approach the upcoming holidays we all remain concerned about the impacts of the recent tumultuous and divisive election. We know that many children and families may be afraid — afraid of being deported, being separated from their families, being attacked or bullied because of race, religion, sexual identity, language and national origin.
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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.
