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Welcome to the Fall edition of Milestones!
Dear friends of First 5 San Bernardino,
Fall is here, bringing a new season of milestones and more opportunities to support San Bernardino County’s youngest children and their families. As I step into my new role as executive director, I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our children, families and community in this new capacity.
This fall, we’re inviting our youngest artists to help bring the 2027 First 5 San Bernardino wall calendar to life, and looking ahead to our Community Relations Partner Workshop happening in December.
Read on to learn how safety remains a priority year-round. In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week, we helped families learn how to keep little ones safer on the road, including sharing important car seat safety tips and resources with FOX 11 viewers.
We are also celebrating alongside longtime partner The Mom & Dad Project as they recognize 25 years of work supporting local families. Then, see how our Gift a Kid a Book campaign is taking literacy on the road with a new pop-up tour bringing books directly to children and families in San Bernardino County.
Inside, you’ll also find the latest results from our family survey and another celebration, this time for the Autism Assessment Center of Excellence’s 10-year milestone.
Finally, get to know Linda Holguin in our latest employee spotlight to learn more about the people behind our mission.
Thank you for being part of the First 5 San Bernardino community. We hope you enjoy this fall edition of Milestones and the many stories of people working together to help children thrive.
Sincerely,
Cindy Faulkner
First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director
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First 5 San Bernardino Appoints Cindy Faulkner as Executive Director
We are thrilled to announce that on September 1, Cindy Faulkner was appointed F5SB’s new executive director.
Cindy steps into the role with 22 years of experience at First 5 San Bernardino, most recently serving as interim executive director and, before that, assistant director. Throughout her tenure, she has helped strengthen partnerships and coordinated systems of support that give San Bernardino County’s youngest children and their families the resources they need to be healthy, safe and ready to thrive.
“Cindy brings a clear understanding of our mission and the vital collaboration we must have with our partners in order to serve the needs of children and families in our county,” said First 5 San Bernardino Commission Chair Elliot Weinstein, M.D. “Her experience and commitment to identifying new opportunities to expand our impact made her a clear choice to build on our strong foundation.”
Please join us in congratulating Cindy on this exciting and well-deserved new role!
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 Calling Young Artists to Enter First 5 San Bernardino’s Student Art Contest
First 5 San Bernardino is celebrating the creativity of our county's youngest residents with a student art contest for children through age 5! Selected entries will be featured in the 2027 First 5 San Bernardino wall calendar, showcasing the talent and imagination of young artists throughout San Bernardino County. Artwork must be submitted on an 8.5" x 11" page or canvas.
To enter, email your child’s submission to First5SanBernardino@cfc.SBCounty.Gov and include “2027 Wall Calendar Art Submission – Your Last Name” in the subject line by October 26.
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 Save the Date for F5SB’s Community Engagement Workshop
On Tuesday, December 8, First 5 San Bernardino will host Let’s Talk Engagement: The Face, The Message, The Community, a half-day workshop designed for local professionals who strive to build more meaningful connections with the communities they serve.
If you are a communications leader, outreach coordinator, educator or community outreach specialist working in public agency, healthcare, nonprofit or community advocacy, then this workshop is for you.
Plus, hear from guest speaker Dr. Terrance L. Stone, founder and CEO of Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, and other panelists.
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Free car seat inspections, events and classes throughout San Bernardino County helps families keep their children safe while on the move
In honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 20-26), First 5 San Bernardino reminded families of the free car seat safety resources available throughout our county to help keep little ones safe while on the move, a key component of the Kid Safe Summer campaign that concluded last week.
 As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, F5SB put a local dad’s car seat installation skills to the test for a segment on FOX 11 in partnership with San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
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 The Mom & Dad Project provides free parenting education and resources for families and local residents in Big Bear Valley, Lake Arrowhead and surrounding communities. From parenting resources, fatherhood engagement and home visiting to mental health support and early childhood programs, the real story isn’t found in the list of services. It's in the parent walking through the door in crisis, then leaving with a plan. It’s in the father finding his footing. It’s in the child finding stability. That has been the heartbeat of this work.
The Mom & Dad Project has been a First 5 San Bernardino partner for over 20 years, united by a shared commitment to helping families and young children thrive. Join us in congratulating them on a successful 25 years helping families thrive!
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Did you know?
Since July 2024, 962 parents have completed parent education courses through our Family Support Initiative (FSI) programs. The parent education courses through FSI are between 8 weeks and 16 weeks, and their curriculum includes: Nurturing Families, Nurturing Fathers, Nurturing Prenatal, Triple P, Strengthening Families and Parents as Teachers.
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 This October, First 5 San Bernardino is taking its Gift a Kid a Book campaign on the road with a Pop-Up Literacy Tour, bringing free books, family friendly activities and the joy of reading to communities across San Bernardino County.
Families with children ages 5 and under are invited to join us for a free literacy experience designed to help little ones build their home libraries and participate in the fun of gifting a book! All events are from 4-6:30 p.m, except Big Bear, which is 2-4 p.m.
1,000 BOOKS WILL BE GIVEN AWAY AT EACH POP-UP!
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Survey Reveals F5SB’s Impact Among San Bernardino County Families
The results of First 5 San Bernardino’s recent family survey underscore its role as a trusted resource during a child’s earliest years. An overwhelming 89% of respondents said F5SB has had a positive impact on their parenting journey.
Families pointed to guidance during challenging times, community events and online tools as meaningful ways they stay connected.
“F5SB resources are easy to obtain and help so much. Being able to have it for my children makes things easy. I love bringing my kids to the events that they promote!” – SBC parent.
“The reminders, the instant availability of unlimited resources far and wide, and the community programs certainly made our lives a little easier in our time of need, being homeless for 16 months with the kids.” - SBC parent.
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 Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence Celebrates a Decade of Service!
On September 9, the Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence (AACE) celebrated its 10th anniversary alongside the partners who helped make that vision a reality.
What began as a regional collaboration grew into a trusted resource for families seeking answers and support for developmental concerns. Over the past decade, more than 7,000 children have received comprehensive evaluations through AACE, helping families better understand their child's needs and connecting them to services and resources that support a child’s development.
First 5 San Bernardino is proud to congratulate AACE on this important milestone and looks forward to seeing the organization continue its mission of advancing advocacy, innovation and family-centered care throughout the region.
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Linda Holguin
Fiscal Assistant
After 22 years in the automotive industry supporting accounting and fiscal operations, Linda was ready for a new chapter and one where she could feel more connected to her community and make a meaningful impact. Her journey with F5SB officially began last November, and after attending our Gift a Kid a Book Community Fair, she saw firsthand how the organization supports families from pregnancy through age 5.
As a Fiscal Assistant, Linda helps keep F5SB moving forward behind the scenes. Guided by her strong faith and passion for helping others, she brings dedication and heart to everything she does.
We’re so happy to have you on the team, Linda!
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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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