“The devastating impact of this health crisis on our children and families is heart- wrenching,” said FIRST 5 Commission Chair Susan Ellenberg. “The small - but significant - bright spot to this crisis is witnessing FIRST 5 staff and partners mobilize at lightning speed to support families in need.” FIRST 5 of Santa Clara County has been able to provide services shortly after the pandemic began impacting the Santa Clara County in early March. Many issues our #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes saw impacting our community due to the pandemic were families struggling with income loss, product scarcity and discovering multiple households unable to access essential baby-care products like diapers and formula. Items desperately needed by our youngest residents. Meeting the diaper needs of our community matters because babies who don’t get their diaper changed frequently enough are at risk for skin rashes, infections and many other poor health outcomes.

With this information, FIRST 5 jumped into action to help serve families in need. With 21 Family Resource Centers across Santa Clara County and 17 sites in San José neighborhoods like Alum Rock, Downtown San José, Evergreen and Seven Trees, these centers provided a place to distribute the needed diapers. In addition, they distributed other essential items like baby wipes, certified infant formula and PPE.

Recently, the collaborative efforts of FIRST 5 and its partners, including the City of San José, marked a major milestone by distributing its millionth diaper to a family at Cesar Chavez Elementary School.

First 5’s Family Resource Centers, in addition to securing and distributing essential supplies, continue to mobilize emergency childcare, provide educational and wellness activities to families and children and develop a COVID-19 Resource Guide.

This week’s #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes, First 5, accomplished this achievement with the support and action from local cooperation and partnerships with the County of Santa Clara, City of San José, Mayor Sam Liccardo and the San Jose City Council, African American Community Services Agency, Catholic Charities, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), ConXion to Community, Gardner, ICAN, Rebekah Children’s Services, Roots Community Health Clinic, SOMOS Mayfair and Healthier Kids Foundation.

Our #SiliconValleyHeroes are doing everything they can to help our community with vital services for the wellbeing of families and children. FIRST 5 of Santa Clara County encourages our community to find resources near them by visiting the Family Resource Center locator at www.first5kids.org/frc. If you would like to learn more about FIRST 5 of Santa Clara County efforts and mission please visit www.first5kids.org.