Newsletter | June 2025

Protecting Kids’ Smiles Starts Early

Oral health is key to a child's overall well-being. It affects their physical health, confidence and success in school. Healthy baby teeth help children speak clearly, chew properly, and develop good habits. That’s why it’s so important to start dental care early and make it a routine part of growing up!

Take a look at our Oral Health video, and explore our page all about Caring for Little Teeth. You’ll find helpful resources, including information on dental insurance and care available to all San Mateo County residents. 

English Oral Health Video

Spanish Oral Health Video

Baby Bonus Program

Earlier this year, First 5 San Mateo County and partners proudly launched the San Mateo County Baby Bonus Program, an innovative, local demonstration pilot project focused on understanding the value of cash aid and early childhood supports for new parents.

There has been a significant and ongoing investment in recent years to create more effective connections between healthcare and social services, recognizing that people’s physical, mental, and social health are intertwined. Our Baby Bonus Program goes beyond existing baby bonus pilots by providing both guaranteed income and coordinated care. We know that it takes both resources and support to make raising a baby easier, and we believe that with both, caregivers and children can thrive. 

Some participants of the pilot are being invited to enroll in a randomized controlled trial, enabling us and our partners to understand the social and health outcomes associated with different types of support in a baby’s first three years. We are excited to share more about it as the program continues.

A diverse group of partners is contributing to the planning and successful implementation of the Baby Bonus program. They include First 5 San Mateo County, the Jackie Speier Foundation, San Mateo County Health, the County of San Mateo Human Services, and UpTogether, along with faculty from Stanford University and support from the Health Plan of San Mateo.

Building Climate Resilience Where It Matters Most

As climate change continues to impact our communities, early care and learning facilities remain one of the most overlooked areas in resilience plannings. Build Up for San Mateo County’s new climate initiative is hoping to change that. By supporting child care programs as hubs for climate resilience, practical steps such as planting trees will create safer, healthier environments for our children. Learn more about this pilot initiative from Build Up here.

Head Start Matters - Now More than Ever

While current federal funding for Head Start programs remains intact, the recent threat raised concerns about the future of this vital early education program. Head Start plays a critical role in supporting children and their families who need it most, offering a foundation for learning, health and stability.

The program continues to face significant challenges - including staffing shortages and closure of regional operations. This is a reminder of just how important it is to invest in and advocate for programs like Head Start that support every child with the best possible start in life.

Legislative Update: AB 977 and the Child Health and Safety Fund

Commencing July 2027, bill AB 977 will allow for a fee increase for “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help our Kids” special license plates. The fee increase will enable additional funding to be directed to the Child Health and Safety Fund. The funding will directly benefit key areas such as child abuse prevention, child care safety and availability, and childhood injury protection. The bill also ensures that all counties in California receive their fair share of the Child Health and Safety Fund, promoting greater equity statewide. To learn more about this bill visit here.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Grantees and Partners

As we wrap up the fiscal year and our last strategic plan, we want to take a moment to extend our deepest thanks to all of our incredible grantees and partners. Your dedication and passion for our collective work have truly made a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in San Mateo County.

We are grateful for the impact you’ve made and for the relationships we’ve built together.

Thank you for all you do for children and families in San Mateo County.