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Welcome to the Spring edition of Milestones!
Dear friends of First 5 San Bernardino,
Spring is here, and with it comes a season of celebration! We’re excited to share the latest edition of Milestones, filled with stories and updates on how we’re supporting children ages 0–5 across our county.
My name is Cindy Faulkner, Interim Executive Director at First 5 San Bernardino. You may be wondering why I am welcoming you to our Spring newsletter edition. Well, this issue marks a major milestone - the retirement of Executive Director Karen Scott after 18 years of dedicated leadership. Karen reflects on her career in a heartfelt letter, and her legacy was celebrated at our inaugural State of First 5 San Bernardino event. We also invite you to watch a special tribute video featured later in this newsletter. We are deeply grateful for her impact and wish her all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
We’re also highlighting moments that make a difference, from delivering toys and supplies to the Redlands and Hesperia TAD locations to celebrating our partner El Sol Neighborhood Education Center’s groundbreaking of the new El Sol Park & Learning Center.
You may remember our child health campaign called Little Teeth, Big Responsibility. This year, we expanded our partnership with the Department of Public Health to focus on whole-child health, including nutrition, pediatric oral care and developmental screenings. It's now called Little Me, Big Responsibility. We hope the community has learned about healthy swaps or baby teeth care from our billboards, social media channels and the radio. Maybe you even saw us and our partner Chef Liz from Caramel Connections on KTLA!
And finally, meet our Chief Financial Officer, Samuel Wong, and learn about his journey to First 5 San Bernardino.
I wish you a joyous and prosperous spring.
Sincerely,
Cindy Faulkner
First 5 San Bernardino Interim Executive Director
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I’ve penned a lot of Executive Director messages in the past 18 years, but none as poignant as this, my farewell message!
My time with First 5 San Bernardino has been the most rewarding of my 46-year career with San Bernardino County. It was here that I found my true calling, my purpose, my tribe!
My time with F5SB never seemed like work. What’s pretty common knowledge is that I happily engaged tirelessly, sometimes six days a week, evenings and weekends, doing what I loved! What I loved was making a difference, nurturing relationships and partnerships, doing whatever it took to be the advocate, supporter and convener of organizations and resources to successfully support our children, families and providers in San Bernardino County.
I thank my family for their unwavering support and encouragement and allowing me this time to indeed live my purpose! I am forever grateful to them as well as to my fabulous staff over the years, my Commissioners, the County Leadership team, my multi-sector relationships with incredible people as part of systems, policy making, collaborations, coalitions, associations and on and on. These relationships, experiences and moments are those that I will cherish and have collectively resulted in the success I feel today.
Although this is farewell for now, it is not goodbye but see you later!
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 First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott retires after a 46-year career serving San Bernardino County families.
After a remarkable 46-year career in public service to San Bernardino County, First 5 San Bernardino bid a heartfelt farewell to Executive Director Karen Scott following the inaugural State of First 5 San Bernardino event on March 20.
Scott has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 18 years, leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children from the prenatal stage through age 5. Throughout her career, Scott felt a deep calling to work that supports young children and families.
“Helping children thrive from the very start of their lives has been at the heart of my work for many years,” said Karen Scott. “Raising children truly takes a village, and I’m deeply proud that First 5 San Bernardino has been able to support families across our county.”
First 5 San Bernardino hosted a retirement celebration for Ms. Scott following the State of First 5 San Bernardino event on March 20, where she was also honored with an official proclamation recognizing her decades of service.
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First 5 San Bernardino Donates Toys for Play Areas at Two Transitional Assistance Department Locations
Donated items are bringing a little more joy to families visiting the Redlands and Hesperia Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) locations. A variety of toys and supplies were personally delivered by First 5 San Bernardino staff to help entertain young children while their parent or caregiver applies for their benefits.
Supervised by TAD staff, children can now spend time playing and creating in a safe, welcoming space during their visit. Donations included building blocks, bouncer seats, art easels, crayons, games, toys and other items.
This donation is just one of the many ways that First 5 San Bernardino champions for the wellbeing of young children.
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 El Sol Breaks Ground on New Park & Learning Center to Serve Inland Empire Families
The El Sol Neighborhood Education Center has long been a pillar of empowerment in the community, supporting the development of healthy, connected neighborhoods through culturally relevant programs that promote health, education and overall well-being. On January 27, El Sol marked an exciting milestone with the groundbreaking of the center’s expansion, the El Sol Park & Learning Center.
Rooted in community, the addition will offer recreation amenities such as a fitness center, yoga room, fitness classes, multi-use rooms and a multi-use turf, while expanding access to education and health resources.
As a long-term partner of First 5 San Bernardino, we share in the excitement of this new addition to our community!
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 Healthy habits start early, and they go beyond just brushing teeth! First 5 San Bernardino’s Little Me, Big Responsibility campaign encourages families to support their child’s overall well-being through nutrition, oral health, developmental screenings and regular check-ups.
Previously known as ‘Little Teeth, Big Responsibility,’ the initiative originally focused on pediatric oral health but was expanded this year to address whole-child health for children ages 0-5. In partnership with San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s Nutrition and Wellness Services and Smile SBC, the campaign shares simple, practical ways families can build healthy routines at home.
Families can also track their child’s development and access helpful screening tools through Help Me Grow Inland Empire, making it easier than ever to stay on top of important milestones.
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Did you know?
And the award for the person who traveled the farthest to attend the State of First 5 San Bernardino is:
Stacy Iverson, former F5SB Commissioner. Stacy traveled 350 miles from St. George, Utah to attend the event (pictured second from the left)!
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 KTLA Highlights Kid-Approved, Healthy Recipes Through Little Me, Big Responsibility Campaign
First 5 San Bernardino recently brought its Little Me, Big Responsibility campaign to a wider audience with a feature on KTLA, highlighting how simple, everyday habits can support lifelong health for young children.
Our partner Chef Elizabeth “Liz” Pinder with the Caramel Connections Foundation brought this message to life by demonstrating approachable, kid-approved recipes that make healthy eating both fun and achievable. She shared five dishes – nut butter and fruit pita pockets, overnight oats, pasta primavera, chicken fried rice and Greek yogurt ranch – along with simple tips and swaps for a nutrition booster.
Click here to download the recipes. Click here to watch the KTLA segment.
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 ICYMI: Video Compilation Documents the Lasting Legacy Karen Scott Made Across San Bernardino County
In celebration of Karen Scott’s remarkable 46 years of service to San Bernardino County, partners and colleagues from across the region came together at the State of First 5 San Bernardino event on March 20 to honor her legacy. Through a heartfelt video tribute, representatives from organizations including CCRC, IEHP Foundation, Maternal Health Network, Diversity Uplifts and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital - along with many others – shared personal messages recognizing Karen’s unwavering dedication to children and families.
Their words reflected not only her leadership, but the deep partnerships she cultivated and the lasting impact she has made across the county.
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Samuel Wong
Chief Financial Officer
With over 20 years working in local government in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Samuel Wong joined First 5 San Bernardino in December 2025 as the Chief Financial Officer.
He became acquainted with First 5 San Bernardino 17 years ago when he had his first child and attended a few events. He appreciated the developmental and water safety tips that were provided, but it also planted a seed in his mind that he liked what First 5’s were doing in their respective communities.
Outside of work, Samuel and his family enjoy time in nature by going camping, hiking, skiing and traveling to national and state parks. He has been the director of his church’s Pathfinders and Adventurer Clubs for children and youth for almost a decade, plays trumpet and sings with family and groups at his church.
We are thrilled to have you at First 5 San Bernardino, Samuel.
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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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