San Mateo County has greater income inequality than any other county in California. The average income of the top 1% of residents is nearly 50 times greater than the average income of the bottom 99%.
This means that children in San Mateo County face very different opportunities. Outcomes for children are too frequently driven by socioeconomics: children in high-income families have better outcomes than children in low-income families. Children living in low-income families are less likely to visit the dentist, attend preschool, be read to daily, and have access to enrichment activities. They are more likely to be diagnosed with a developmental disability and to have a parent dealing with depression. Poverty, systemic racism, and bias can have real and lasting effects.
Access to supports and services for children is critical during their early years. First 5 San Mateo County works to reduce barriers to access, improve services, and create connections between services so that children and families can get the support they need and all children are able to thrive.
31% of all Black children 0-5 in San Mateo County live in poverty.
20% of all Latinx children 0-5 in San Mateo County live in poverty.
First 5 San Mateo County targets its investments to reach those families most in need of support. Our investments support children and the adults that care for them. In 2020-2021, we served:
Race and ethnicity (%)
AI/AN- 3.9%
Asian- 10%
Black/African American- 4.5%
Latino- 66%
Pacific Islander- 3.5%
White- 7%
Multicultural- 4%
Other/Unknown- 3.9%
Primary language spoken in the home (%)
Spanish- 49%
English- 44%
Asian Languages- 3.2%
Bilingual English/Spanish- 3.3%
Other/Unknown- 0.5%
Family Functioning- $948,179
Child Health- $974,474
Child Development- $1,394,373
System Change- $1,196,220
© 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.
