FIRST 5 Santa Clara County hosted its first Partnership Forum on Friday, November 2. The theme of this forum was, “Come Together for Our County’s Youngest Children.” This theme resonated among a hundred attendees including Mayors, Superintendents, Nonprofit Organizations, County Board of Supervisors and all First 5 Commissioners. Everyone came together to discuss ideas for leveraging resources and strengthening partnerships to support the healthy development of children prenatal through age 5. New partnerships were created and existing partnerships were cultivated between FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and public organizations.













The program opened with a welcome introduction by Supervisor Blanca Alvarado, Santa Clara County and Jolene Smith, Executive Director, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County. A keynote address on the Importance of the First 5 Years in the Life of a Child was delivered by David Kears, Vice Chair of the First 5 California Commission and Director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency.

The keynote address was followed by panel discussions on How Collaboration Works with topics on County, City and School Partnerships, Family Resource Centers, 6 Early Childhood Developmental Assets and Transition to Kindergarten. Panelists included, Mayor Laura Macias, Mountain View, Joe Fimiani, Assistant Superintendent, Santa Clara County -Office of Education, Dr. John Porter, Superintendent, Franklin-McKinley School District, Yolanda Garcia, Director, E3 Institute and Mary Patterson, Executive Director, Project Cornerstone. The next panel was on Programs that Work: Santa Clara Children’s Health Initiative with panel members, Christopher Trenholm, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc and Leona M. Butler, CEO, Santa Clara Family Health Plan. Following this panel was an open forum on How Your City or School District Can Collaborate with FIRST 5. Vice Mayor David D. Cortese, City of San Jose and Cora Tomalinas, Commission Chair, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County delivered the closing remarks.

The goal of this forum was to raise awareness on what our youngest children need in order to thrive and develop to their fullest potential. Each participant committed towards one or more strategies to support children prenatal through age 5 in Santa Clara County. This day proved to be highly successful. 83% of attendees said they agree or strongly agree that the forum elevated childhood development issues on their priority list. 89% agree or strongly agree that the forum encouraged them to become more involved in early childhood development issues.