I am proud to welcome you to MILESTONES, First 5 San Bernardino’s new quarterly email newsletter! As key stakeholders of our organization, we want to keep you current with our priorities and progress. Throughout the year, we will be sharing information about the important work we’re doing on behalf of children prenatal through age 5 and their families. I invite you to share this newsletter with your teams and colleagues. Thank you for your continued interest and support of First 5 San Bernardino.

– Karen E. Scott, Executive Director

February was National Children’s Dental Health Month. Dental hygiene for young children is often overlooked, and First 5 San Bernardino is partnering with Smile San Bernardino County to let families know that taking care of baby teeth is just as important as taking care of adult teeth.

A promotional campaign called “Little Teeth, Big Responsibility” is featuring billboards, social media ads, online digital ads and media publicity. Best of all, all the promotions will direct County parents and caregivers to visit the smilesbc.org website to get useful tips on how to take care of young teeth.

If you or your organization would like to help spread awareness, please check out our Partner Toolkit below for sample content and graphics.

In 2020, First 5 San Bernardino began the process of developing an integrated, home visiting system (HVS) framework specific to San Bernardino County when the organization received a two-year coordination grant from First 5 California (F5CA). Now a year and a half into the work, the strategy is taking shape as the organization looks forward to implementing a program designed to have a positive impact on the families served throughout the county via a strong collaborative network.

First 5 California is back in market promoting its “Give the phone a rest” campaign, according Jamiann Collins-Lopez, public communications advisor at First 5 California. The launch for digital advertising began in February, and television, radio and out of home advertising will start in early March. This creative was part of the original “Talk, Read, Sing,” campaign and will run through July 2022.

Meet Wendy Lee, Psy.D.

Senior Staff Analyst

If you ever have the chance to speak with Dr. Wendy Lee, you'll quickly see why she was hired by First 5 San Bernardino nearly four years ago. As a clinical psychologist specializing in issues concerning children’s development, her expertise mingles effortlessly with her passion as she contributes to the strategies of the organization.

With a mission of uniting America through service, AmeriCorps has been inviting individuals to work alongside each other for the betterment of every community since the early 1960’s. First 5 San Bernardino became an AmeriCorps site partner in 2010, and 12 years later its members continue to carry the torch of service, making significant contributions to San Bernardino County communities on behalf of the organization.

About First 5 San Bernardino

The Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino) was created in December 1998, in order to realize the benefits of Proposition 10 (California Children and Families Act) for the County's youngest residents and their families. The act created a program for the purpose of promoting, supporting and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age, under the guidance of the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino, and in collaboration with the community and agencies providing services to children.