[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 194 (Thursday, December 5, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1546-E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE SERVICE OF SEAN CASEY

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                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2019

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service 
of long-time community advocate, Sean Casey as he begins retirement.
  Sean Casey has dedicated his life and career to children and 
families. After graduating from Oberlin College and getting his 
master's degrees from UC Berkeley in both social welfare and public 
health, Sean worked at UC San Francisco, developing better data and 
analysis for maternal and child health programs. He also created Fetal/
Infant Mortality Review programs in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
  Quickly after joining First 5, Sean became Contra Costa's Executive 
Director. Throughout his tenure, First 5 Contra Costa provided life-
changing services to over 500 families.
  While he was Executive Director, Sean oversaw the development of a 
county-wide preschool planning process which implemented a Quality 
Rating and Improvement System. He supported the development of three 
parent advocacy groups, which identified and addressed issues related 
to early childhood development including affordable housing, immigrant 
and racial justice, and the safety of neighborhood parks.
  Sean also worked to establish Contra Costa County's Help Me Grow 
system to help parents identify potential developmental challenges 
their children may have and connect them with the necessary resources 
and services. He also developed Ready Kids, which helps young children 
prepare for kindergarten and their academic lives. On top of that, he 
helped establish the Children's Leadership Council, the Family Economic 
Security Partnership, the Early Learning Leadership Group, the Budget 
Justice Coalition, and the Contra Costa Funders Forum. Sean also served 
as the Chair of the First 5 Association.
  Sean has always been a leader in the community and someone I have 
enjoyed working with greatly. Over my years in public service, I have 
visited First 5 and many of the other programs he is associated with 
and am always impressed by the impact he has on the children and 
families he works with. As he retires from First 5, we wish him well 
knowing that his legacy will continue to enrich the lives of Contra 
Costa families. We wish him great luck and joy in retirement.

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