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Support and Safety Resources for All Families in San Mateo County

At First 5 San Mateo County, we believe that every family deserves to feel safe, supported, and connected to trusted community resources, regardless of their background or immigration status.

Recently, the San Mateo County Office of Education shared a reminder that schools will always remain safe places for every child. All children are entitled to a free public education, and schools cannot and will not ask about a student’s or family’s immigration status. Student records are also protected by law, and our local schools are committed to keeping campuses safe and supportive for all students.

If you or someone you know is worried about immigration enforcement activity in our community, there are local resources ready and available to help.

Rapid Response Hotline

If someone is detained by ICE, or if you see possible ICE activity in San Mateo County, you can call the Rapid Response Hotline for immediate support. Call (203)666-4472 (203 NO-MIGRA)

This hotline connects families to urgent legal help, assistance with paperwork, and trusted community members who can accompany them to appointments.

You can also reach out for:

  • Help with rent increases, evictions, or unsafe living conditions
  • Emotional support and connection to community partners

For more Rapid Response supports, please visit the County of San Mateo’s website here.

Additional Local Resources

At First 5 San Mateo County, we know that children thrive when their families feel safe and supported. You can find links to these and many other local services for families in our resource library. 

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© 2024 First 5 San Mateo County

Headshot of Kitty Lopez

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.