The League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo presented a panel of speakers who are deeply involved in providing early childhood care and education across San Mateo County. 

Keynote Speaker and Moderator, Heather Cleary – CEO of Peninsula Family Service (PFS). Chief among several critical community support programs that PFS maintains is Child Development Centers that provide children (ages 0-5) from low-income families, including those who are homeless, with a safe, nurturing environment where they can learn, socialize, and thrive. 

Panelists:

David Pine – San Mateo County Supervisor, and co-chair of Build-up SMC, a county-wide initiative to grow and improve the supply of early care and education facilities in San Mateo County.

Christine Padilla – Director, Build Up SMC. Christine brings her long history of connecting county needs to political responses as she oversees this important initiative.

Sarah Poulain – Executive Director, Family Connection, a free, bilingual family learning community, serving families with young children from all over San Mateo County. Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in the early childhood and family services field in various roles from executive leadership to clinical services and program management.