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.

To view this newsletter in your browser click here.

Tolosa Children's Dental Center is accepting new patients!

Children ages 13 and under with Medi-Cal or no insurance can establish a dental home and receive comprehensive care. Services are provided at Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo locations, in English and in Spanish.

To set up an appointment, families can call 805-238-5334 (Paso) or 805-592-2445 (SLO). More information at tolosachildrensdental.org.

Families can now complete free developmental screenings for their children online

SLO County Help Me Grow is providing access to the ASQ screening at no cost to parents and caregivers online in English or Spanish at SLOHelpMeGrow.org.

• The screening will look at a child’s development in five areas: communication, fine motor (small muscle coordination), gross motor (large movement), personal-social, and problem solving.
• Free screenings for social-emotional development (ASQ:SE) are also available for parents/caregivers.
• Each screening takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Parents/caregivers may want to try the activities with their child as they complete the screening.
• Screening results are emailed to parents/caregivers the next day along with an activity page to promote development at home.
• Parents/caregivers with developmental concerns can bring a copy of their screening results to their pediatrician or call Help Me Grow staff at (805) 305-4481 (South County/SLO) or (805) 440-1878 (North County/Bilingual).

Take the screenings at slohelpmegrow.org.

Free meals for CenCal Health members (Medi-Cal) with chronic illnesses - apply before the end of 2024!

Members with specific chronic conditions that can benefit from medically-tailored meals can request free meal or grocery delivery for up to 12 weeks. These meals or groceries are customized to members’ health needs. This is a great way to increase your clients’ food security and health (note that meals are not covered just to address food insecurity).

CenCal Health members can apply directly or with your help using this referral form or they can apply through Tangelo, Bento, or Homestyle Direct, the SLO County meal providers. Shelf-stable grocery boxes are available for people who lack kitchen access. Members should apply before the end of the year, as criteria are expected to become more restrictive in January.

Spanish & Mixteco-language videos to explain how to access essential resources

Spanish and Mixteco-language videos that help to explain how to access essential services have been created by SLO County UndocuSupport. The seven short video topics are:

• Enroll Your Child in School
• Help With Food
• Intimate Partner Violence
• Legal Help for Housing Issues
• Banking Services
• Apply for Medi-Cal
• Legal Immigration Services and Immigrant Rights

You can show your clients these videos or text/email clients the link to the playlist or a specific video.



Click here for Spanish playlist  

Click here for Mixteco playlist

New mom's support group, and counseling for new parents

PPS now offers a free, virtual, weekly support group for moms of children ages 0-5, led by a peer facilitator. This group provides emotional support around pregnancy and early parenting.

Mental health counseling is also available for SLO County mothers and fathers experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression related to pregnancy and new parenting. Counseling services are free to low cost, available virtually and in-person, and in English and Spanish. This is provided through a First 5-funded partnership between Community Counseling Center and Pregnancy & Parenting Support (PPS).

Download a flyer here. Parents can connect to the support group or counseling services by contacting the PPS Warmline at 805-541-3367.