To our community partners and allies,
As we welcome 2026 and reflect on the year behind us, I find myself holding many emotions. In 2025, we leaned into our values of equity, inclusion, and community partnership, impacting nearly 16,000 parents, children, and providers across the county. At the same time, the year brought real challenges—especially for families and communities already carrying so much. We witnessed loss, uncertainty, and the very real fear of losing vital services and supports for millions of mixed-status families across our state and nation. And yet, even in these moments, I saw resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to one another.
Our Commitment Has Not Wavered
Every day, we work to ensure families with young children are supported, informed, and resourced—because parenthood should not be navigated alone. We believe every child, regardless of background, language, or lived experience, deserves to grow up healthy, safe, and surrounded by nurturing families and communities.
As we step into a new year, I am guided by three virtues that feel especially important right now: hope, courage, and optimism.
- Hope reminds us that change is possible, even when the road feels long.
- Courage calls us to stand up for what is right and to protect the dignity and humanity of children and families.
- Optimism pushes us to remain solution-focused, creative, and forward-looking—especially in the face of adversity.
Children are our most precious resource and helping them thrive is a shared community responsibility. Our work continues to be rooted in strong partnerships and guided by our values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and community collaboration.
Strong Partnerships & Shared Impact
I am deeply grateful to our Commissioners, families, community partners, elected officials, funders, service providers, and advocates for walking alongside us in 2025.
Our recently released Community Impact Report highlights the measurable results of these partnerships, showing what we can accomplish when we work together to support children and families.
I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible First 5 Contra Costa staff. Your dedication, compassion, and belief in this mission make our work possible. It is truly an honor to serve in this role.
Continuing Our Momentum
As we begin 2026, I warmly invite you to continue this work with us—to deepen collaboration, co-design solutions, and stand together in support of Contra Costa County’s children, families, and communities. I look forward to what we will build together in the year ahead.
In solidarity,
Dr. Ruth Fernández
Executive Director
First 5 Contra Costa