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Welcome to the Spring Edition of Milestones!
Dear friends of First 5 San Bernardino,
Spring has blossomed in every way at First 5 San Bernardino. We're delivering the spring edition of Milestones straight to your inbox, full of celebrations and updates to give you the latest on what we're doing to support our county's children 0-5 years old.
In Commission leadership updates, we welcome our newest commissioner Gilbert Ramos, Assistant Executive Officer for San Bernardino County. Meanwhile, the annual Advocacy Day remains a cornerstone of our efforts to champion the needs of young children. This year was no exception.
Read on to learn about the evolution of LuCretia in the Neighborhood to First 5 in the Neighborhood. First 5 San Bernardino experts will rotate as hosts on this hit social media series that dives deep into topics that matter the most to parents and caregivers. We’re also celebrating big news – twice – with our "adopted" Mamma Gigi and her goslings and with our first ADDY award for cinematography. Can you guess which video brought home the honor?
Art from the heart is exactly what this year's Week of the Young Child was all about. Learn more about how we made dozens of young hospital patients smile with the help of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and the Children's Fund. After that, don't miss finding out what developments came out of our Family Support Initiative (FSI) providers networking meeting last month.
And finally, it's my pleasure to feature George Potts, also known as “Super G.” He has a big job, and one that he does with a whole lot of heart.
Wishing you a safe and healthy spring.
Sincerely,
Karen Scott
First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director
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 New Commissioner Joins First 5 San Bernardino
San Bernardino County's Assistant Executive Officer Gilbert Ramos has been sworn in as the newest First 5 San Bernardino Commissioner.
With over 32 years of dedicated service to San Bernardino County, his leadership and vision are invaluable assets as we continue our mission to promote the health and well-being of young children and their families in San Bernardino County.
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 Advocacy Day Brings First 5 San Bernardino to Sacramento
Once again, First 5 San Bernardino leadership joined other First 5 Commissions in Sacramento on April 9 meeting with lawmakers to advocate for families with children 0-5.
As part of First 5 Association of California’s annual Advocacy Day, many meaningful conversations were held to keep young children and their families a priority.
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Get Social with First 5 San Bernardino in the Neighborhood!
Our beloved LuCretia in the Neighborhood social media series has now transitioned to First 5 San Bernardino in the Neighborhood! The evolution of this series will feature a rotating group of First 5 San Bernardino team members who will host person-on-the-street-style interviews, starting with Dr. Wendy Lee in May.
We will continue to dive into the topics parents care about the most—from summer safety to the importance of early literacy, child health and beyond!
Stay tuned for the first episode and be the first to see it by following First 5 San Bernardino’s Instagram and/or Facebook page.
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Staff "Adopt" New Goslings Born Outside of Offices
It was late March when the staff of First 5 San Bernardino discovered that a goose had laid her clutch of eggs on the perimeter of the building.
What transpired over the next few weeks was a fun and entertaining keen interest in waiting for what turned out to be three healthy goslings born on April 23 to Mamma Gigi and the very protective Papa gander Gus (affectionally named by the staff). Which goes to show that First 5 San Bernardino staff care about all things 0-5, including the parents and little ones of the feathered variety.
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First 5 San Bernardino Brings Home Cinematography Award for Heartwarming Anniversary Video
Emotion is the superpower of marketing communications and it shines throughout our "Celebrating 25 Years" video.
We are proud to have earned a Silver ADDY Award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) of Inland Empire. The annual ADDY Awards celebrate creative excellence, resilience, innovation and the artistic spirit across the region, giving public-serving campaigns a platform to showcase work that makes a difference.
This video is a powerful testament to the heart of our mission and the profound impact we've made in the lives of children ages 0–5 and their families in San Bernardino County.
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 Art From the Heart: Week of the Young Child Inspires Creativity and Hope Among San Bernardino County's Littlest Hospital Patients
In a special partnership with Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Fund, a vibrant display of paper dolls filled the hospital’s lobby in celebration of the Week of the Young Child. Each paper doll was colored and creatively decorated by a young patient, allowing their personalities to shine through their artwork. From bold splashes of color to glittering decorations, the dolls radiated individuality, turning the hospital’s lobby into a gallery of hope from April 5-11, 2025.
The Week of the Young Child emphasizes the importance of early childhood education and the vital role it plays in shaping strong futures. Communities have the power to come together in support of young children and their families.
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Did you know?
The California Breastfeeding Coalition has announced that the Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition has won the Regional Coalition Lactation Impact Award. Congratulations to the team!
Actress Alissa Milano announced the special award.
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Excitement for collaboration was in the air at the first Family Support Initiative (FSI) providers networking meeting held on April 22 at First 5 San Bernardino’s office. Participants in a new, three-year $12 million funding opportunity met to share best practices to create partnership building. The purpose of this funding, awarded last year, is to strengthen the family support network so there is efficient access and navigation of services for families which ultimately will improve outcomes for young children.
“The FSI networking meeting showcased the incredible strength found in unity through First 5 San Bernardino’s shared vision,” explained Ronnie Robbinson, staff analysts II. “By aligning efforts, sharing resources and learning from one another’s experiences, providers are able to amplify their impact and create a more connected, responsive support system for families across San Bernardino County.”
Topics covered included organization news, announcements, branding guidelines, policy and programmatic updates and Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) management discussion. Further, providers shared insights, success stories and challenges they face in working with families in their communities.
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Employee Spotlight
George Potts
Fiscal Assistant
Every office has that one person who quietly keeps everything moving—at First 5 San Bernardino, that person is George Potts, also known as “Super G.”
George is a hardworking member of the First 5 San Bernardino family whose role as fiscal assistant makes him the final checkpoint before partner payments are made. He’s the one giving the “green light” that makes everything official. It’s a big job, and he handles it calmly and reliably.
Though he’s never sought the spotlight, we couldn’t pass up the chance to highlight someone who’s been such a steady, kind presence on our team over the last 16 years.
Thanks, George, for everything you do—with consistency and a whole lot of heart.
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About First 5 San Bernardino
The Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino) was created in December 1998, in order to realize the benefits of Proposition 10 (California Children and Families Act) for the County's youngest residents and their families. The act created a program for the purpose of promoting, supporting and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to 5 years of age, under the guidance of the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino, and in collaboration with the community and agencies providing services to children.
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