Resources for Immigrant Families
Medi-Cal for Eligible Undocumented Children and Adults Ages 18-25 and 50+
All income-eligible children, regardless of immigration status, can access full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. Coverage began in May 2016.
All income-eligible young adults up to age 26, regardless of immigration status, can access full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. Coverage began in January 2020. All income-eligible older adults, ages 50 and older, regardless of immigration status, can access full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. Coverage began in January 2023. Beginning January 2024, all income-eligible adults, including those ages 26-49, regardless of immigration status, can access full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. For information on this expansion: dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/Adult-Expansion.aspx Public Charge Information
Long-standing public charge rules are back in place. Basically, the only programs that can be considered in a public charge determination are:
1) the receipt of public cash aid (such as Cal-Works, SSI, General Assistance), or 2) government funded long term care. The public charge determination still only affects those persons who are seeking to enter the U.S. or adjust their status to that of a legal permanent resident. For up to date handouts about Public Charge, for background and to give to families: protectingimmigrantfamilies.org. For a Public Charge handout from the State of California (published in 2022), click here. Keep Your Benefits GuideRules about public benefit programs can be confusing. The Public Charge Tool found at: https://keepyourbenefits.org/en/ca gives families basic information about the public charge rule and tell them whether using public benefits could affect their immigration status. It provides simple information in multiple languages and clear prompts and answers.
To access the guide: Send a text message to 650.376.8006. The message should simply say "benefits" for English, "libre" for Spanish, "福利" for Chinese, or "lợiích" for Vietnamese language assistance. Or go online to visit KeepYourBenefitsCA.org (also available in Spanish and Chinese). To learn more about California state benefits: immigrantguide.ca.gov |
Local Online Resource Lists for Immigrant Families
SLO County UndocuSupport's Immigrant Services Guide
Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success's Student Resources (K-12, College, general resources) Need help?
Contact an advocate or staff member at a Family Resource Center for support with non-medical needs such as food, clothing, shelter, parent education and navigating social services. A full listing of Family Resource Centers in San Luis Obispo County can be found here:
https://sloparents.org/slo-frc-directory/ |
Mental Health Resources for SLO County Immigrant Families
Immigration causes unique stressors for children. Two local resources are available for you to share with immigrant families, to help parents support their children's mental health. Each handout is available in both Spanish and English.
"Talking About Immigration: What Does Your Child Understand and Need to Know" gives parents tools for the difficult task of discussing immigration with children. This resource begins with the gentle reminder to parents that "It is difficult to know how to talk about immigration with your child" and continues with a menu of tools for an ongoing dialogue aimed at helping coping with immigrant stress. Click here to download "Talking About Immigration."
"You CAN Help Your Child Feel Less Stressed!" is another valuable resource to empower parents. This handout shares five simple skills for reducing stress, explains how stress affects children differently than adults, and provides information for local mental health resources. Click here to download "You CAN Help Your Child Feel Less Stressed!"
"Talking About Immigration: What Does Your Child Understand and Need to Know" gives parents tools for the difficult task of discussing immigration with children. This resource begins with the gentle reminder to parents that "It is difficult to know how to talk about immigration with your child" and continues with a menu of tools for an ongoing dialogue aimed at helping coping with immigrant stress. Click here to download "Talking About Immigration."
"You CAN Help Your Child Feel Less Stressed!" is another valuable resource to empower parents. This handout shares five simple skills for reducing stress, explains how stress affects children differently than adults, and provides information for local mental health resources. Click here to download "You CAN Help Your Child Feel Less Stressed!"