Brilliant Baby April Newsletter

Dear BB Community,

We are so happy to have you in our community and glad you have been enjoying our monthly newsletters. We want to update you about a change to how often the newsletter will be sent. Starting this month, we will change to a bi-monthly schedule, which means you will receive our next newsletter on June 1st. This will give us more time to get newsletters translated into multiple languages, which will be very helpful to many Brilliant Baby families.

 But don’t worry - we will continue sending our events calendar every month and are always here to help you in any way we can. If you need help connecting to resources or have programming questions, please text “BBHelp” to our Customer Service Department at (510) 726-7809 or email us at brilliantbaby@oaklandpromise.org.

Zelle Announcement 

As some of you may know, we are encouraging families to use Zelle to receive payments from Brilliant Baby, because it’s quicker and safer than using checks.  Zelle deposits money directly into your account and will cause fewer delays. If you already have Zelle, please text us the email address or phone number you use, and we will update our system and start sending your payments through Zelle. If you still need Zelle, we would love to help you set it up! 

We also want to make sure everyone is aware of the change to how we can offer stipends. Our enrollment has increased, and more and more people are choosing to attend Community Connections each month, which is excellent news for Oakland families. With our expanded participation, we want to ensure everyone in our program can receive stipends. Moving forward, we can offer up to $120 for attending six or more Community Connections each calendar year. 

Also, we are addressing Oakland Promise's staff capacity to send payments on time. Starting in March, we shifted to once-a-month stipend processing rather than twice per month. Wealso moved away from using Target gift cards and now send payments directly to you. For example, if, during one month, you earn a Financial Coaching stipend ($100 for each of your first three sessions) and attend a Community Connection ($20 each for up to 6 in a year), you will receive a combined payment for both of them.

To request help or to share your Zelle information, just text "BBHelp" at (510) 726-7809 or email us at brilliantbaby@oaklandpromise.org. If you feel comfortable signing up for Zelle without our help, just click the link below to get started!

Time to Apply for Medi-Cal

Now is the time to renew your Medi-Cal! During Covid-19,  you did not have to re-register. Starting April 1, 2023, California will require yearly Medicaid eligibility reviews. They will use this information to determine if you or your family member(s) are still eligible for Medi-Cal. Make sure you read the steps below to get ready to renew.

According to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), here are three steps to get ready to renew your Medi-Cal.

1. Update your information! Log into your account to make sure Medi-Cal has your current home address, phone number and email address

2. Remember to check your mailbox. The County will mail you a letter about your Medi-Cal eligibility. You may need to complete a renewal form. If you’re sent a renewal form, submit your information by mail, phone, in-person, or online, so you don’t lose your coverage.

3. Sign up for updates by clicking the button below. Get general updates about what is happening with Medi-Cal renewals by signing up for email and text messages.

Changes to Snap Benefits 

We are disappointed to announce the temporary boost in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits ended in March 2023 and know this change will impact many Brilliant Baby families. The program had been able to increase SNAP Benefits due to COVID-19. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, "The SNAP boost was a temporary strategy authorized by Congress to help low-income individuals and families deal with the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, a 2023 law recently passed by Congress, ends after the February 2023 issuance." 
 
The passing of this law means that your SNAP benefits have likely returned to the pre-March 2020 amount. We understand that families may need access to food now more than ever. Click below to see a list of food distribution services in Oakland. If you need more support locating free food please text “BBHelp” to our Customer Service Department at (510) 726-7809 or email us at brilliantbaby@oaklandpromise.org.

Immunization Requirements 

Many people attended last week’s drop-in meeting about accepting offers in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Click on this slide deck to see what we covered. In addition to learning about how to accept a school offer, we discussed required medical forms that families must provide before their children may start school. We recommend making an appointment with your child’s doctor between now and the end of July to get these forms completed if you have a child entering TK or kindergarten for the first time this August. 

As we continue to help you prepare for your Brilliant Baby to start school, we want to ensure you are aware of the immunizations that they must receive. The California Department of Public Health listed a helpful resource on its website. The School and Childcare Roster Lookup (SCRL) is a tool that you can use to view your child's immunization records. The SCRL is a new tool for schools and childcare sites to join. If you do not find your child's records, we encourage you to contact your healthcare provider. If you are unsure or need extra support from our team, you can always text “BBHelp” to our Customer Service Department.

Information about Shots for School Tells you which shots children need and at which ages.

Report of Health Exam for School Entry Must be completed by a doctor in order for a child to attend TK or Kindergarten. Get this done no later than August 3, 2023 if your child will be starting school then.

School Immunization Form You must submit this form or one like it from the doctor’s office in order for your child to start on the first day of school. Make sure you have an immunization record before August 3, 2023 if your child will be starting school then.

Dentist's Form (Oral Health Exam) Must be completed by the dentist by the end of the child’s first year of school. You do not need this before they start in August.

Authorization for Medication Assistance This must be completed IF you want the school to give your child medication during the school day. You will also be required to bring the medication in the bottle from the pharmacy. This form is also needed at OUSD preschools.

CalKIDS

California just started an exciting new program called CalKIDS that is a little like Brilliant Baby! They are opening College Savings Accounts (like my529) for every baby born July 1, 2022 or later as well as all for low income public school students in grades 1-12! California is using a company called Scholarshare rather than my529, but it works in just the same way.

According to their website, “CalKIDS is a program that helps children in California get access to higher education, especially those from traditionally underserved communities. Enrollment in CalKIDS is automatic. Eligible beneficiaries are identified by the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education. No action or financial commitment is required of families to participate.”

CalKIDS receives information on newborns approximately 90 days after they are born. 

Eligible newborns receive a $25 seed deposit in a CalKIDS account. You will receive another $25 deposit in your CalKIDS account when you register on the CalKIDSonline portal.

To check your baby’s eligibility click the link below. 

Have you checked the balance
of your Brilliant Baby CSA
at my529.org?

You should check your account periodically. If you move, you can change your address online to keep receiving the statements at your home. Additionally, getting in the habit of checking your account helps remind you that this account exists. Remember, when your baby graduates from high school, they can use this money for college or trade school! If you have questions about how to log into your account, please text “BBHelp” to our Customer Service Department at (510) 726-7809 or email us at brilliantbaby@oaklandpromise.org.