First 5 Logo image
First 5 Contra Costa
August 7, 2025

August Newsletter

Celebrating Inclusion Efforts & Centering Parents Voices

Building a more inclusive future:

Celebrating the many efforts to enhance child care programs’ ability to include children with delays, disabilities, or socio-emotional concerns

 

 

Over the last two years, First 5 Contra Costa has taken strategic, community-centered steps to advance inclusion for young children and their families through Measure X-funded efforts. From launching new capacity-building and mental health consultation program to strengthening community partnerships, our work has been wide-ranging and impactful.

We delivered and supported trainings for early childhood providers, piloted innovative programs like the “shopping pass” to equip them with tools for creating more inclusive environments, and produced videos that demonstrate practical ways to use those tools in everyday settings.

To further these efforts, we recently launched an updated Help Me Grow Contra Costa website, now featuring multi-language videos to better reflect and serve our diverse community. This website aims to help families and child care providers understand the importance of developmental screenings for young children, where to access them, and how to connect to services when needed. To expand our reach, we also partnered with five community-based organizations to conduct outreach about screenings to reach even more families and providers.

Click below to view some outreach materials created through these partnerships:

We also recently hosted a countywide convening on neurodiversity (more below), completed an in-depth stakeholder engagement process, and published a comprehensive report with recommendations that guided this year’s work and the work ahead.

These milestones reflect our commitment to building systems that truly support all children and families and this past year’s accomplishments lay a strong foundation for the inclusive future we’re working toward together.

A special thank you to the Board of Supervisors for the funding to work on this important priority, the many contractors who helped us deliver these services, partners who helped spread the word about these efforts, and the child care providers and families who engaged in these efforts.

Keep the momentum going:

Full recordings from our Inclusion Convening on Neurodiversity available now

 

We’re excited to announce that the video recordings of each session from our Inclusion Convening on Neurodiversity are now available to watch and share. In our continued commitment to strengthening inclusion in early care and education, these session recordings and resources serve as powerful tools to revisit, reinforce, and build on the insights and connections from our convening.

In May, First 5 Contra Costa hosted an event for child care providers that focused on inclusion strategies for neurodiverse children in child care. The convening featured keynote speaker, Dani Bowman, Founder and CEO of DaniMation Entertainment and cast member of the Netflix series called Love on the Spectrum.

The sold-out event also included two workshops with Stephanie Tangsombatvisit, MD, a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, and Amanda Campbell, Co-founder and Director of Clinical Services at the Center for Early Childhood Connections, along with a panel discussion with families to hear firsthand experiences and insights from parents raising neurodivergent children in our community. There was also a resource fair for attendees to connect with local early intervention providers and community organizations.

We’ve gathered all of the recordings, presentations, and photos in a single location offering an opportunity to revisit powerful moments, explore the sessions, and extend the impact of our collective learning.

Applications are open for our Parent Advisory Group

 

 

The First 5 Contra Parent Advisory Group is an effort to intentionally center parent voices in First 5 Contra Costa’s work, and to support parents as early childhood advocates.The group meets quarterly on Saturday mornings to share insights on family needs and improve access to resources. Throughout the year, members build leadership skills, serve in an advisory role to First 5 Contra Costa, and connect with other parents and caregivers.

Help us ensure that parent voices are at the center of early childhood programs and services:

Spread the Word!

Please share this flyer with families and community groups who might be interested in joining the Parent Advisory Group. Together, we can amplify parent voices and create positive change for young children across Contra Costa.

Interested in joining? Apply today.

Applications are open until midnight on Friday, August 15. To apply, you’ll need to be a Contra Costa County resident with a child aged birth to five, and be able to attend in-person meetings on Saturday mornings. We look forward to hearing from you!

First 5 Contra Costa is coming to a neighborhood near you: 

Stop by, say hi, and find support for you and your little ones!

 

 

We’re excited to share that First 5 Contra Costa will be out and about at several community events across the county this August and we’d love to see you there!

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or passionate about supporting young children, this is a great chance to connect with our team. We’ll be sharing helpful information about local resources and services designed to support families with children ages 0–5.

Come say hello, pick up materials, ask questions, and find out how First 5 Contra Costa can help you and your family thrive. See below for a list of upcoming events — we hope to see you soon!

Want to Learn More? Your local First 5 Center is a welcoming place for parents and caregivers to find support, attend free classes, and connect with other families with young children. Click here to find your nearest First 5 Center and explore all they have to offer!

First 5 Contra Costa Welcomes Stephanie Shieh as the new Early Childhood Program Officer

 

 

First 5 Contra Costa is pleased to announce and welcome Stephanie Shieh as the new Early Childhood Program Officer. Stephanie Shieh joins First 5 Contra Costa with a strong background in the early education and nonprofit sectors, along with a deep commitment to shaping educational and social support systems to be more equitable, accessible, and inclusive.

Stephanie’s prior experience includes serving as a Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten teacher, where she played an integral role in early childhood education. Most recently, she led early learning and professional development programs serving families with young children and child care educators with the resource & referral agency in Napa County. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Education and a Master’s of Public Affairs from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California-Berkeley.

Please join us in welcoming Stephanie Shieh, who began her new role on July 15.

Her extensive understanding of early childhood education, combined with her experience in program leadership and policy, equips her to make a meaningful impact at First 5 Contra Costa and will help us further our mission to ensure our county’s young children are healthy, ready to learn, and supported in safe, nurturing families and communities.

Immigration Resources for Partners & Families

 

In our ongoing effort to support immigrant families facing uncertainty, we partnered with On the Move Bay Area to deliver a series of trainings for organizational leaders and licensed child-care providers. These sessions were all about helping trusted community partners guide families through legal and emergency planning with confidence and care.

We also recently joined Stand Together Contra Costa and trusted community partners for an Immigration Forum hosted at Contra Costa College. Attendees received free, private legal consultations with immigration attorneys, participated in empowering “Know Your Rights” and family preparedness workshops, and accessed a vibrant community resource fair.

Visit our Immigration Resources for Partners & Families page!

As your trusted community partner, we’ve gathered helpful tools and information to support both immigrant families and service providers during challenging times—including our Supporting Immigrant Families Toolkit, featuring key sections like Strengthening Families, Family Preparedness, Know Your Rights, and Legal Services.

Looking for a space for your next event or training? 

Reserve the First 5 Contra Costa Conference Center

 

 

First 5 Contra Costa is pleased to offer a professional and welcoming space for organizations dedicated to supporting children and families in our community. Our Conference Center is an ideal setting for meetings, trainings, workshops, and group activities

Conference Center Features:

  • Spacious main room, accommodates up to 57 attendees.
  • Two small breakout rooms, Ideal for small group discussions and interactive activities.
  • Technology-equipped, 100” monitor for presentation display and whiteboard duo
  • Comfortable setup, with flexible meeting arrangements and coffee/water alcove
  • Fully wheelchair accessible, Including all entrances, restrooms, and common areas
  • Convenient location, located off Hwy. 4 in Concord and within close proximity to BART

Click here to learn more!