Building an Equity-Driven Strategic Plan for First 5 San Mateo County

The Challenge

In May 2024, First 5 San Mateo County (F5SMC) partnered with VIVA to design and lead an eight-month planning process to update their strategic plan, guiding community investments for 2025-2030. F5SMC envisioned a process that would be inclusive of diverse voices and grounded in the needs of the community.

How can we create an inclusive planning process that builds on existing community engagement and results in a comprehensive, equity-driven strategic plan?

The Approach

VIVA designed a planning process that wove together multiple ongoing engagement efforts already funded by F5SMC, including family interviews, focus groups, surveys, a human-centered design project, and an early childhood mental health landscape scan. We also reviewed a wide range of recent community needs assessments to avoid duplication and ensure efficiency.

Building on this foundation, VIVA identified which additional perspectives were needed at the table and created opportunities to elevate them. Our team designed and facilitated two countywide community convenings that brought together system leaders, philanthropic partners, and nonprofit organizations. These sessions fostered open dialogue about San Mateo County’s highest priorities and needs, while encouraging deep discussion about how partners could strengthen collaboration and maximize impact with limited funding. 

The Impact

Findings from the community engagement activities, needs assessments, and stakeholder convenings were presented to F5SMC staff, the Commission, and the Strategic Planning Ad-hoc Committee. Through a series of facilitated discussions, these inputs directly informed the priorities and strategies that shaped the final adopted plan.