Newsletter | February 2024 - March 2024

Advocacy Day 2024:

Fighting for more inclusive, sustainable early childhoods

This month, we celebrated First 5 Advocacy Day and we joined our colleagues from First 5 Santa Clara in Sacramento to talk about how important funding for early childhood services is in the Bay Area with our Assemblymember, Marc Berman. Our voice is our power, and together, we made a difference! First 5s are facing major cuts over the next five fiscal years and action is needed now more than ever. 

Hundreds of First 5 leaders from across California who collectively serve over one million of the state’s children and caregivers rallied in the Capitol, calling for a one-time $100 million investment, aimed to stabilize various local programs serving children and families amidst dwindling tobacco tax revenues that fund these programs.

This work is critical, and our communities deserve to thrive from the beginning. This investment is a no brainer, and we are proud to fight for it along side so many incredible advocates. To learn more about First 5 San Mateo County's advocacy work, explore the community toolkit on our website.

Advocacy Day:

Prenatal-to-Three Bill AB 2982

Due to your unwavering commitment, and as a direct result of meetings with your legislators this year, we’re thrilled to confirm Assemblymember Eloise Reyes has authored our prenatal-to-three workgroup bill. Officially introduced as AB 2982, this bill calls for the establishment of a statewide prenatal-to-three workgroup to craft evidence-based and community-informed recommendations that create a comprehensive, equity-focused prenatal-to-three system in California. Our vision is that this workgroup uplifts the value, leadership, and expertise of the First 5 Network in this space, and positions us to offer policy, funding, and systems solutions for California’s babies and families.

Black History Month:

Stories from the San Mateo County Community

This Black History Month, we are highlighting different ways to celebrate Blackness in San Mateo County. Check out our blog series, Nurturing Diversity, to read about the Black experiences that shape San Mateo County and get into why it is so important to center inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance in early childhood from the very beginning.

This February and beyond, let’s continue the journey toward a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for all, recognizing the significant influence of Black caregivers in our community.

Visit blackece.org/ to read more about their vision, and the great work they’re doing to ensure California’s early care and education system is culturally affirming for Black children, families, educators, and providers and read our Nurturing Diversity, series all month long!

2024 Oral Health Social Media Toolkit:

Happy Children's Dental Health Month!

As we celebrate Children's Dental Health Month this February, we are excited to provide resources to share valuable information about early childhood oral health. 

This social media toolkit shares engaging content and strategies to promote oral health awareness not just this month, but throughout the year.

Together, let's make a lasting impact on children's oral health one post at a time, collectively advocating for healthy smiles and empowering families to prioritize children's dental well-being. 

🎉 Congratulations Claire Bleymaier 🎉

2023 STARS Award for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Claire Bleymaier's Oral Public Health Program received the 2023 San Mateo County STARS Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for their work implementing the state-mandated Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) countywide, and particularly for expanding on-site oral health screenings to all of our lower income schools! HUGE congratulations to our partners at Sonrisas Dental Health, Ravenswood Family Health Network, Magic Tooth Bus, Healthier Kids Foundation, San Mateo County Office of Education, school staff (nurses and admins!) the Oral Health Coalition, and Family Health Services leadership for their hard work and partnership.

Calling All Communities:

How are you Celebrating Week of The Young Child?

How are YOU celebrating the Week of the Young Child this April? We are so excited for another fun-filled week celebrating young children and their families with hands-on, collaborative activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art and we want to share opportunities to celebrate with our community. Please share the Week of the Young Child celebrations that you are most excited about by emailing them to first5smc@smcgov.org!

First 5 San Mateo County Commissioners on:

The Importance of Investing in Early Care & Education

Claire Cunningham

Supervisor Noelia Corzo

Claire Cunningham became a First 5 San Mateo County Commissioner in July 2023 when she was appointed as the Director of the San Mateo County Human Services Agency, with over fifteen years of experience.

As a former school board member and current county supervisor, Noelia Corzo brings a unique perspective to the F5SMC team. Her personal journey raising a child in San Mateo County aligns with the work we do to support families here in our county.

Behavioral Health Initiative Grant:

Trauma-informed practices in San Mateo County

We were proud to be selected as grantees for the second round of the Children Youth Behavioral Health Initiative funding for trauma-informed evidence-based practices. We are looking forward to working with early childhood mental health providers throughout our community to understand how to best support children, families, and providers who are dealing with trauma.