Celebrating Kitty Lopez's Leadership at First 5 San Mateo County | | After 13 years of visionary leadership, Executive Director Kitty Lopez will retire from First 5 San Mateo County this August. Since 2013, Kitty has been a tireless advocate for young children and families, strengthening policy, expanding advocacy, and elevating the voices of the communities we serve. As former chair of the First 5 State Association of California, she helped ensure that early childhood remains a statewide priority. Before joining First 5, Kitty led Samaritan House for a decade, taught in classrooms across the Bay Area, and supported children with autism and special needs. Her contributions to San Mateo County's youngest children will be felt for years to come. We are deeply grateful for everything she has given to this work, and we wish her a joyful retirement. | | | | Kitty shared, “It has been a great honor to champion children with First 5 in San Mateo County. May we continue to ensure that our youngest children in every corner of the county have every opportunity to thrive.” More information about transition plans will be shared in the coming months. | | Honoring Superintendent Magee's Service | | | | First 5 San Mateo County extends our heartfelt gratitude to Superintendent Nancy Magee, who retired from the San Mateo County Office of Education in February after years of dedicated service as a First 5 commissioner. During her tenure, Nancy championed early literacy through The Big Lift, advanced youth mental health supports, and brought a spirit of collaboration and care to everything she touched. We are grateful for her partnership and wish her a well-earned retirement! | | | Welcoming Superintendent Marco Chávez to the Commission | | Following Superintendent Magee's retirement, the San Mateo County Board of Education appointed Marco Chávez as the new County Superintendent of Schools in February, bringing him onto the First 5 Commission as well. Marco is a dedicated educator with deep roots in our community. He has worked as a teacher, principal, and administrator across San Mateo County, including as a Ravenswood City School District trustee, and brings a strong commitment to equity and student success. We look forward to his partnership in advancing the well-being of San Mateo County's youngest children. | | | | Celebrate the Week of the Young Child: April 11-17 | | |
Each year, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) designates one week in April as the Week of the Young Child, a nationwide celebration of early learning and the parents, caregivers, and teachers who make a difference in young children's lives every single day. It's a chance to shine a light on just how much happens in those first five years, and why investing in young children matters so much for their futures and for our communities.
This year's celebration runs April 11–17, and each day has a fun theme, like Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, and Artsy Thursday, designed to bring joy and playful learning into homes, classrooms, and communities. Whether you're a parent, a caregiver, or an early childhood educator, there's something for everyone. Check out NAEYC's activity ideas and resources to find ways to celebrate the young children in your life, and follow us on social media to see how we’re celebrating!
| | Earth Day: Protecting Our Youngest Children from Climate Change | |
We all want our children to grow up in a world that is safe, healthy, and full of possibility. This Earth Day on April 22, we're thinking about what that means for the youngest children in San Mateo County. Climate change is shaping the spaces where children live, learn, and play every day, and families and child care providers are feeling it firsthand through rising heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding.
The good news is that San Mateo County is taking action. Build Up San Mateo County has developed the Early Childhood Climate Action Plan (SMC ECCAP), the first county-centered climate action plan in the nation focused on early childhood. It brings together research, practical strategies, and cross-sector partnerships to help child care facilities adapt and ensure that the places where young children spend their days are safe, resilient, and healthy. If you're a child care provider or community leader, we encourage you to explore the plan and the resources available to support your work.
|
| April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month | |
Every child deserves to grow up safe, loved, and supported. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it's a time when we pause to recognize both the challenges families face and the incredible difference that community support can make in a child's life.
At First 5 San Mateo County, we know that prevention starts long before a crisis. It starts with making sure parents and caregivers have what they need to feel confident, connected, and resilient. That's why this month we're lifting up the Five Protective Factors, a framework rooted in the idea that when families are strong, children thrive. Being a parent is hard, and no one should have to navigate it alone.
We also know that many children experience adversity in their earliest years. But here's what the research tells us: those experiences don't have to define a child's future. Positive relationships, stable caregiving, and access to support can make a real difference. Learn more about tactics for combatting stress in both children and adults. If you or a family you know could use a little extra support right now, we're here to help. Explore our family resource library or reach out to Help Me Grow San Mateo County to connect with local services, developmental screenings, and more.
|
| Thank you to the parents, caregivers, and community partners who work every day to support San Mateo County’s children and families. |
| | | |
