SLO County Health Access Update
Connecting Children Ages 0-5 to Health Care
February 2020
Public Charge Update
New Public Charge Rules to Go into Effect on February 24, 2020
 
The US Supreme Court lifted the national injunctions that barred the rules from going in effect on January 27, 2020. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) then announced that the new public charge regulations will go into effect on February 24, 2020. 
 
A few things to remember:
  • DHS will not consider the receipt of the newly listed public benefits before February 23, 2020.
  • The new rules only affect those immigrants who are applying for legal permanent residence with a family based petition or permanent residents who have traveled outside the US for more than six months.
    • The rules do not affect current citizens, legal residents (unless they have been outside the US for 6 or more months), asylum applicants, DACA recipients, and other visa holders such as U, T and VAWA.
    • Slightly different rules apply to those who are applying for permanent residence abroad.
  • The rules only affect specific programs - federally funded food stamps (Cal Fresh), federally affected public housing/Section 8 assistance, federally funded Medi-Cal. The rules already cover the receipt of cash benefits or long term care.
    • The rules do not include emergency services, children under age 21, and pregnant women, or State funded Medi-Cal such as new coverage through age 25.
  • The public charge test is a balancing test which also includes an applicant's health, age, education and skills, family and sponsor income as well as the use of certain public benefits.
  • Families need to consult with an immigration attorney or accredited immigration consultant to make informed decisions - click here for a list of local providers.
Additional information may be obtained at:
 
Statewide and National
 
Keep Your Benefits - an excellent new California resource that explains the new rules and has a provider directory in both Spanish and English.

Protecting Immigrant Families - a national resource so you can stay on top of federal developments, with consumer and advocacy material.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center - a national organization based in San Francisco that provides information, material and training on immigration issues, including public charge.

National Immigration Law Center - a national advocacy and education organization with family and advocate material.
 
Local and Regional
 
Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success - List of excellent local resources and a Family Safety Guide for Immigrants https://www.ccc-uss.org

SLO Health Access - First 5 SLO County program with local resources and updates for professionals who work with families with immigrants. https://www.slohealthaccess.org
The #1 Complication Related to Childbearing
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

The term "perinatal" refers to the time from pregnancy throughout the first year after the birth of a baby. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are a set of disorders that can develop any time during the pregnancy or postpartum period. They include depression, anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum psychosis.
  • At least 1 in 7 mothers experience serious depression or anxiety during pregnancy or during the postpartum period.
  • 1 in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression.
  • Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the #1 complication related to childbearing.
Women of every culture, age, income level and ethnicity can develop these disorders.  Symptoms can appear anytime starting during pregnancy into the first year following the birth of a baby. R isk factors that put women at a higher risk include:
  • Personal or family history of depression, OCD, anxiety, bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis
  • High level of physical or emotional stress
  • History of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, verbal)
  • Pregnancy complications or a traumatic delivery or birth experience
  • History of miscarriages, pregnancy losses and infertility
It is important to encourage mothers and their partners to reach out for help as soon as possible so they can get the help they need and deserve.
 
For more information and a list of resources go to:
SLO County PMAD Support Website: www.pmadslo.org
SLO County Maternal Wellness Website: www.postpartumwellness.org

Local Telephone Resources:
SLO County PSI Coordinator: 1-805-994-0873
SLO Hotline and Information Line: 1-800-783-0607
Postpartum Depression Support Line: 1-805-541-3367
Tips for Avoiding Census Fraud
The 20 20 Census is fast approaching! Here are some tips from the  U.S. Census Bureau   to  help make the Census quick, easy, and safe for all participants. 

Avoid Online Scams
Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake-and may be infected with malware.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your bank account or credit card numbers
  • Money or donations
In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

 
Stay Safe at Home
If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the following to verify their identity:
  • First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
  • If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.
Report Suspected Fraud
If you suspect fraud, call  800-923-8282  to speak with a local Census Bureau representative. If it is determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau, contact your local police department.
 
Download this bilingual Census Fraud handout to share with clients.

Health Access Information at SLOHealthAccess.org
A First 5 SLO County Funded Program
SLOHealthAccess.org has a wealth of information to help you help families, with local resources related to:
   * Special Needs     
   * Behavioral Health
   * Immigration: safety and service access  
   * Dental
   * Prescriptions
   * Medi-Cal & Covered CA
   * Transportation
   * Parental Substance Use, and 
   * R esources to help parents advocate for services

General needs and system navigation:
Send families in need of help to their local Family Resource Center : 
 

Can't find an answer? 
Let us know and we will find you  the  informati on  you are looking for.  For general questions about health ac cess and health care refo rm,  contact:
Becca Carsel, Health Access Project Director,  
at (805) 674-0776 or [email protected] .phone
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