Newsletter | December 2025

Warm Holiday Wishes from First 5 San Mateo County

As we approach the end of the year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families, caregivers, providers, and partners who make San Mateo County such a strong, caring community for young children. Your dedication, resilience, and support for one another are what make this work meaningful.

From all of us at First 5 San Mateo County, we wish you a joyful, peaceful holiday season and a bright start to the new year.

Big Feelings: Supporting Early Childhood & Parent Mental Health

Big Feelings is a trusted resource for young children and families in San Mateo County who may be navigating emotional or behavioral challenges. Children experience many emotions as they grow, and it’s common for big feelings to show up in everyday moments. At the same time, strong or persistent emotional or behavioral challenges can be a sign that your child may need extra support. Families deserve clear, compassionate guidance when that happens.

Big Feelings helps parents and caregivers understand what certain behaviors may mean, what is developmentally expected, and when it might be time to seek help.

On the Big Feelings website, families can explore:

• Learn what’s typical at different ages, and when to seek extra support
• Find trusted local services for children’s emotional and behavioral health
• Get information about screenings or check-ups if you’re concerned about your child’s emotions or development
• Explore how parent well-being and self-care support a child’s healthy development

Additionally, we know the winter and holiday season can feel especially overwhelming for many families. It’s important that parents take care of themselves too, and Big Feelings includes resources to support caregivers’ well-being.

All resources are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages. Getting help early can strengthen family relationships, improve communication, and support your child’s healthy development. Explore Big Feelings here.

Connecting with Families Across San Mateo County

Over the past few weeks, our team has enjoyed being out in the community and meeting families across San Mateo County. We’ve joined several library storytimes and early learning activities, including Stay & Play, Play & Learn, and Baby Bounce Storytime sessions, to share resources and hear directly from parents and caregivers. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello.

We’re grateful for the feedback and input families have offered on how we can level up our outreach and communications. These conversations help guide how we show up for the community and ensure our efforts reflect what families truly need.

San Mateo County Families — We Want to Hear From You!

Parents and caregivers of children ages 0-6 are invited to share their voices in a short, five-minute survey, available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, to help us better understand what information families need and how we can strengthen our outreach across the community. Your input will guide how First 5 San Mateo County communicates with and supports families of young children.

Please complete the survey by December 16. We do not collect any personal information, and all responses are combined to protect confidentiality. We would truly appreciate hearing from you!

Emergency Safety Net Assistance for Families

Even though the recent federal government shutdown has ended, we know many families may still be feeling its effects or may need extra support during the holiday season. San Mateo County’s Core Service Agencies are here to help. These agencies serve as the main entry point for families seeking food, emergency housing, utility assistance, shelter referrals, and other essential needs.

Each Core Service Agency serves a specific region and works closely with the County’s Human Services Agency to understand a family’s needs and connect them to the right resources. Families can reach out to the agency in their area to learn more about the services offered, hours of operation, and how to get support. A full list of agencies and multilingual flyers are available here.

Support is available to all San Mateo County families, and we encourage anyone who may need extra help this season to reach out.

Thank you to the parents, caregivers, and community partners who work every day to support San Mateo County’s children and families.