Newsletter | October-November 2021
How Is It Already 2022?
We are ringing in the new year early & we are so grateful for our outgoing First 5 San Mateo County Commissioners
As we head toward 2022, we are saying goodbye to three of our First 5 San Mateo County Commissioners! We want to extend a huge thanks for their involvement, support in helping to advance our mission, vision, and strategic plan. 
Sandra Phillips-Sved, the Vice Chair of the Commission, has been instrumental in supporting the First 5 SMC strategies around elevating Racial Equity work and advancing equity and access to resources in our communities. Her dedication to early childhood can be seen in everything she does, especially in her last 6 years on the commission.
Neel Patel, M.D. was an early partner in our special needs & Watch Me Grow initiatives. [WATCH] During the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained the impact on young children's development. He was also very involved with Help Me Grow and the Physicians Roundtable. He brought his expertise in developmental screening and the patient experience to our communities to get families the care they need! We have been lucky to have him on the council for the last 6 years!
Pam Frisella is a former Foster City Council Member and Mayor, as well as a dedicated advocate for family resources. We will miss the warm, irreverent personality for which she is known. She holds board positions with the Build Up Advisory Council and has been a community activist in San Mateo County for more than 30 years. We are so grateful for her time on the council!
As we say thanks to these commissioners for everything they have done over their time with us, we are so looking forward to welcoming three new voices to help shape the early years of young families in San Mateo County. Look out for their new bios on our website!
The Future of San Mateo: Let’s Get It Right
Our Focus, Our Future
The First 5 Association's Strategic Plan
The First 5 Association has released its newest strategic plan, Our Focus, Our Future 2022-2024. This Strategic Plan builds on First 5s’ history of leadership and partnership to ensure young children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life. It provides clear goals and strategies for the next three years that will focus our collective efforts and sharpen our impact.
We are so excited that our policy leadership has taken such an intentional approach to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Read about policy priorities, how the Association is supporting local First 5's and the communities of California, and invest in the sustainability of our networks!
Community Partners 📣 Apply for Support
Get Healthy & Get Funding!
$10,000 Infant & Toddler Expansion Family Child Care Grant from Build Up SMC

Build Up San Mateo County is currently accepting applications from Family Child Care (FCC) operators to award grants of up to $10,000 per home supporting the enrollment of infants and toddlers in full-time care.
File for your Child Tax Credit
Putting Money in the Pockets of Working Parents
Tax Credit for Children! FREE money is waiting for parents. November 15th is the last day to sign up. Don’t let your community's families miss out on up to $300 per month, per child, through the new Child Tax Credit. Parents are likely eligible, even if you don’t usually file taxes, or earn little or no money. This will not affect other benefits. Parents can sign up today until November 15th, even if they haven’t filed taxes before, and even if they earn little or no money.
Vaccinations for Children 5 - 11
the County of San Mateo is offering vaccination clinics throughout the county to anyone 12 and older, with some locations offering vaccines to residents aged 5-11. See the times and locations here. Appointments are not required, but residents can see options and sign up through MyTurn.