Newsletter | December 2022 - January 2023
Wishing Healthy, Happy Holidays to All!
Winter, and the holiday season, are here! And as much fun as it can be, this time of year can also be stressful. First 5 California has launched the Dragon Song campaign, to give families the resources to help their children (and themselves) regulate their emotions and approach stressful situations calmly. Remember, when you're tired and you're grumpy and you want to shout, pretend you're a dragon and let it all out! Use the resources in the Dragon Song Toolkit to share the dragon song with the families in your community.
For 50 years, the Child Care Coordinating Council, known as the 4C's of San Mateo County, has been connecting and empowering families, educators, and childcare providers with resources today for a stronger San Mateo County tomorrow. The celebration and awards ceremony showed how lucky our community is to have these incredible resources. Thank you, 4C's!
Let's Talk: Vaccines, Boosters, Variants, & COVID-19
Children 6 months and older are eligible for the vaccine, and getting vaccinated and boosted is the best way for children to stay safe from COVID-19. Share the incredible conversation we had with Dr. Naveen Mahmood of Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Dr. Sylvia Espinoza of Stanford Children’s Health, in discussion with Eric Valladares, Executive Director of Family Connections about vaccines and boosters for children with the parents and providers in your community.

For questions, concerns, curiosities, and more, see what these experts shared about COVID-19 in today’s climate.
Navigating Equity & Early Intervention
I Screen, You Screen: Getting to know your child through screenings
Screenings are a great way for parents to get all the information about their child's development, to ensure that they are on track socially, emotionally, developmentally, and physically. Encourage families to get more information about these three screenings, so that they can access resources that set their child up for lifelong success.
Attitudes, Access, & Barriers Towards Developmental Screening in Communities of Color
Deputy Director of First 5 San Mateo County, Michelle Blakely, shared strategies to dismantle stigmas, build equity, fight discrimination, and foster access to developmental screenings, specifically in communities of color. Hear how she advocates for children in their earliest years. Watch the conversation now!
New Americans in San Mateo County

In late 2020, the San Mateo Office of Community Affairs, Immigrant Services Division was awarded a national Gateways for Growth grant, one of just 19 local governments selected across the United States to receive this highly competitive award.

As the first step in creating the Immigrant Inclusion Strategic Plan, the County of San Mateo conducted a Population Study to find out more information about this community.

Check out the results of the population study and read more about the phases of the strategic planning process for community connection & engagement, economic development, education opportunities, equitable access to services, and safety.
Flu Season: Get Your Flu Shot TODAY
Not only do vaccines keep children safe, but they keep their families, teachers, and caretakers safe too. Getting vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 is safe and easy. Parents can make appointments or find walk-ins for both vaccines at MyTurn.ca.gov.