Christina is a Vallejo native and lifelong Solano County resident who attended local schools and earned her AA Degree from Solano College in 1973, her BA Degree in Liberal Studies (Psychology focus) in 1991 and her Master of Public Administration Degree from CSU Hayward in 1996.  Her public service career (launched as an Eligibility Worker I in Solano County in 1977) spans 32 years and four Counties, including Welfare Reform Planner in Contra Costa County, Social Service Department Director in Nevada County and Deputy County Administrator for Children and Families in Contra Costa before her appointment as Executive Director of First 5 Solano in 2003.

Christina’s love of and dedication to children and family services includes work on programs to reduce young children’s exposure to violence, empower family self-sufficiency and increase fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives.  At First 5 Solano she has helped the Commission successfully evolve from its start-up phase to its current status as a high-functioning, high-quality organization which, through its over 30 grantee organizations, serves about 20,000 children 0-5, their families and providers annually.  Her devotion to the principles of interdisciplinary collaboration, fiscal integrity and program accountability through measurable results has resulted in First 5 Solano’s state and national recognition for its model programs and outcomes.  Her deep appreciation for the synergy that develops when communities come together for children keeps her excited and optimistic about going to work every day.  Christina loves her husband, Guy as well as films, theater and books, her large family (she’s one of six siblings and a devoted aunt), exploring the greater Bay Area and coast and spending time with friends.  You may reach Mrs. Arrostuto at (707) 784-1340 or clarrostuto@solanocounty.com.

Michele was born and raised in Vallejo. Michele attended Sonoma State University, and graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration/ Business Economics. Michele brings to the Commission over 10 years experience in financial analysis, budget development and monitoring, and contract and program management. Most recently, she worked for an Environmental Consulting firm, and was responsible for the overall coordination, supervision, management and operation of their Federal Contracts Program, with federal, state and private contracts valued at over $30 million. 

Michele has also performed financial, budgetary and administrative analysis, conducted extensive research and analysis of financial data, prepared monthly and annual financial reports, projected future revenues and expenditures, and conducted historical, risk, and demographic trend analysis. After 10 years away, the lure of family and community was too strong, so she returned home to Solano County.  Michele is a new mom and lives in Cordelia, where she enjoys spending time with her husband Tom and her twins, John and Nathan. You may reach Mrs. Harris at (707) 784-1335 or at mdharris@solanocounty.com.

Chris Shipman
Health Programs Manager

Chris Shipman has extensive experience in the health arena. She has provided effective leadership in managing rehab programs and hospital departments, working with medical chairs/directors of clinical laboratories, radiology, pediatrics, emergency care and clinics.

Over the years, Chris has worked closely with the entire spectrum of pediatrics and adult health care programs, preventive care, professional medical service, ancillary and support hospital departments.

Chris is not new to the First 5 community. Prior to joining First 5 Solano, Chris worked with an evaluation and data management company that included First 5 California and other counties.

As a community leader, Chris is a graduate of the Sacramento’s City Management Academy, a comprehensive hands-on learning experience that gives residents an opportunity to interact with City management staff and learn about the challenges facing municipal government today.  The program is offered by the City Manager's Office, and has been recognized by the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as being one of the "top 100 innovative ideas in the USA."  Chris also hails as a graduate of the Sacramento County’s District Attorney’s Citizen’s Academy.  This program helps to foster improved communication and relations between communities and the criminal justice system and enhance multicultural and multi-ethnic sensitivity in the criminal justice community.

Chris is past chair of the Sacramento County Children’s Coalition and serves on several Community Boards.  She regularly volunteers at Loaves and Fishes, a program to feed the homeless and provides shelter to homeless moms and kids.  Chris was very instrumental in gathering community support to have a charter engineering and science high school built in the community.  She has spoken before local School Boards and is more than an occasional speaker at city council meetings.  Chris also serves as a speech judge for local and State Academic Decathlon, a competition of a nine high school member teams from about 500 high schools in 42 counties and districts competing in academic events.

Chris holds a Master’s Degree in health administration from Columbia University, New York. You may reach Ms. Shipman at (707) 784-1339 or cshipman@solanocounty.com.

Lynn was born in Grants Pass, Oregon and was raised in Stockton, CA. She also resided in the Bay Area for over six years to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a focus in Child Development and a Master of Social Welfare degree with a focus in Management and Planning, both degrees from UC Berkeley (Go Bears!). Lynn has since moved back to the Central Valley to be close to her niece, and to play a key role in the formative years of her Goddaughter.

For over 10 years Lynn has woven her comprehensive experience as a leader, community organizer, instructor, researcher and advocate together to benefit the vulnerable children and families in the community. She constructed resources for her community by creating and managing a tutoring program for inner-city youth, as a 2-year AmeriCorps member.  She also supported a Bay Area Assemblywoman in the creation of a pre-apprenticeship program for high school students in Richmond.  Lynn also brings 5 years of teaching experience in community organizing, social psychology and ethics.

Lynn’s foundations in research and legislative advocacy are critical pillars of support for children and families.  She utilizes her 5-year child development researcher and laboratory coordinator experience at the Institute of Human Development, UC Berkeley to inform her work for the First 5 Solano Commission.  Additionally, her past work with California Health and Human Services Agency recommending positions on bills to the Governor’s staff, reviewing Child Welfare Department budgets and policy helps to frame and mobilize the legislative advocacy efforts for the First 5 Solano Commission.

Lynn believes children are a cause for which to fight and has dedicated her career in Solano County to building resources and becoming the bridge that connects families to those resources. Lynn is passionate about this vision and is dedicated to supporting the First 5 Solano Commission, in partnership with school districts, to lead school readiness efforts. 

Outside of work Lynn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, dancing, going to the theater, traveling and listening to music.

 You may reach Ms. Hoffman at (707) 784-1338 or lmhoffman@solanocounty.com.

Venis Jones Boyd
Family Support Programs Manager

A resident of Solano County for over 40 years and graduate of Vanden High School, Saint Mary's College Paralegal Certificate Program and Saint Mary's College Management Degree Program (BA).  She has been with the Commission seven years and looks forward to her new role of assisting programs for children prenatal to five years of age in the family support arena.  She spent 16 years with Tosco Refining Company as the Environmental Department office manager.  Venis and husband Jerry reside in Vacaville.  You may reach Mrs. Boyd at (707) 784-1337 or vjboyd@solanocounty.com.




Cherelyn Ellington
School Readiness and Community Programs Manager

Cherelyn was born in Fairfield and although she has lived in Alaska and Europe, she has always considered Solano County “home”.  She attended local schools, and has a BS in Business with a focus in Technology. Cherelyn worked many years with a local government agency in the fields of Human Resources, Technology and Public Information.

Her experiences living and travelling in other countries and a short stint teaching in the local school district emphasized the importance of ensuring that all children get a healthy physical, mental and emotional start in their developing years. She believes that among the most important things we can give children are the abilities to read and communicate well.  She serves on the Solano County Library Board and is completing her Master's in Public Administration.

Cherelyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends. You may reach Ms. Ellington at (707) 784-1334 or ccellington@solanocounty.com



Denise Winters
Accounting Technician
Denise grew up in California and is the busy mom of three children, who keep her and her husband Chris busy! Denise brings the unique perspective of the military family to First 5, which is important because of the proximity of Travis AFB. Denise is working on completion of her degree. She previously worked in the HR field, but has found her niche in the area of acounting and fiscal tracking.
Denise is very devoted to her family, but in her spare time, she likes to play bingo and work on craft projects with the kids.  
You may reach Mrs. Winters at (707) 784-1492 or dswinters@solanocounty.com.