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SLO County Health Access Update
Connecting Children Ages 0-5 to Health Care
December 2021
Information and articles from these newsletters are housed on the San Luis Obispo County Health Access website. The website is updated frequently and is intended as a resource for professionals working with children ages 0-5 and their families. Please visit: SLOHealthAccess.org
Changes to CenCal Health's Mental Health Care Referral System
The way that CenCal Health members (clients with Medi-Cal) will be referred to mental health care and applied behavior analysis (ABA) services is changing. Members with mild to moderate mental health conditions currently access providers by contacting The Holman Group or being connected to them by primary care referral. The Holman Group provides managed care, connecting members with providers, the same way that CenCal Health does for physical health issues.
Starting January 1, 2022, CenCal Health will directly provide managed care for mental health care and ABA services. The Holman Group will no longer be involved in the process. Members with mild to moderate conditions should contact CenCal Health at (877) 814-1861 to set up care or they can schedule directly with a contracted provider. To find a contracted mental health provider, visit https://www.cencalhealth.org/providers/behavioral-health.

CenCal Health members with severe mental illness symptoms can still contact County Behavioral Health at (800) 838-1381.

Not sure which agency to call? Then call County Behavioral Health at (800) 838-1381 for assistance in connecting with the right level of care.

For additional mental health resources, visit our webpage at SLOHealthAccess.org/behavioral-health.html.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5+
A COVID-19 vaccine is now available for everyone ages 5 and up. It is a two-dose vaccine, given three weeks apart. Children are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose.

It is really important for children to get vaccinated. You can help by reminding parents to do this. Download a SLO County Public Health information guide for parents in English or Spanish and hand it out to families.

Vaccines are offered at Public Health Clinics, mobile and pop-up events, and local pharmacies. Learn more here: www.slopublichealth.org/covid19
Covered CA Open Enrollment - Big Savings!
Covered CA provides subsidized health insurance for people with incomes higher than the Medi-Cal limit. The Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) has provided even bigger savings on Covered CA health plans through December 31, 2022, with
  • Lower monthly premiums
  • Expanded eligibility for higher income earners
  • Caps on costs.
 
Open enrollment is happening now through January 31, 2022 at www.coveredca.com. If a client earned too much to qualify or couldn’t afford the premiums before the ARP changes, they should apply again now. More information about ARP changes here.
Trauma-Informed Care: Tip of the Month
What is trauma-informed care? We provide trauma-informed care for our clients when we understand, recognize and respond appropriately to children and families suffering the effects of trauma and adversity. In the coming months we're sharing tips and information for implementing trauma-informed practices to help support you and the children and families you serve.

TIP: Pick a quick wellness exercise that helps to regulate, ground, soothe or energize you. Use it in your daily life to help you take care of yourself so you can care for others.
Local Health Referral Information at SLOHealthAccess.org
SLOHealthAccess.org has a wealth of information to help you help families, with local resources related to:
  • Practical Resources for Basic Needs
  • Behavioral Health
  • Immigration: safety and service access  
  • Dental
  • Prescriptions
  • Medi-Cal & Covered CA
  • Transportation
  • Special Needs   
  • Parental Substance Use, and 
  • Resources 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 information you are looking for. For general questions about health access and health care reform, contact:
Becca Carsel, Health Access Project Director, 
at (805) 674-0776 or becca@carselgroup.com