L.A. Times: Preschool or TK? Parents are Stressing Out.

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Jenny Gold, the Early Childhood Education & Development staff writer & reporter from the L.A. Times goes in-depth on the topic of choosing between preschool and transitional kindergarten (TK). In the article, she features interviews and insights from teachers and parents across California, including Micaela Elias, a parent of a child that attends Children’s Institute’s Head Start program.

“California is in the midst of a $2.7-billion initiative to provide an additional year of free, high-quality education during the crucial early years. Yet while TK is a statewide program, the details that often matter most to parents – the balance of play and academics and how the program differs from preschool – vary greatly by district. The last major assessment of TK curriculum was done in 2016, long before the current expansion, and the state is not currently evaluating TK classrooms to see how districts are educating their youngest students,” reports Jenny.

As she delves into this hot topic, you can hear all sides and different considerations – some proponents of preschool and others, of the expansion of transitional kindergarten. Read more about this current issue affecting parents as they are in the midst of making this critical decision for their children.

Please see here for the full article in English and Spanish.

(Photo credit: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Four New Board Members Join Children’s Institute

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“We are thrilled that Supriya Batra, Mary Rohlich, Ariff Sidi and Andrew Vogel have joined an already incredible Board of Trustees,” said Martine Singer, President & CEO of Children’s Institute.

As part of our commitment to Children’s Institute’s North Star, which is grounded in the belief that all children and families can achieve emotional wellbeing and educational success, which build lasting pathways to economic mobility and lifelong health, Children’s Institute continues to work in the most underserved communities across Los Angeles County. For over 100 years, Children’s Institute has been serving the communities of Los Angeles and is dedicated to continuing this work.

“The new Board members’ involvement will add diverse perspectives to help Children’s Institute advance its North Star. With their expertise and influence, we will be able to better advance solutions for the most underserved communities in Los Angeles,” said Tarek Kutrieh, Board Chair.

Welcome to the team, Supriya, Mary, Ariff and Andrew!

To learn more about the new Board members, please read this press release.

Children’s Institute will be at the Festival of Books April 20-21!

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The L.A. Times Festival of Books is the largest book festival in the nation and this year, Children’s Institute will be an exhibitor! Held at the University of Southern California (USC) campus from April 20-21, we are honored and excited to have our own booth alongside hundreds of other exhibitors, including NASA, Harper Collins Publishing and Vroman’s Bookstore – just to name a few.

This is a free, family-friendly event with indoor and outdoor activities. We are excited to be a part of this event because we hope to inspire a love for reading in the hearts of our youth. Reading opens hearts and minds to other worlds and endless possibilities while stimulating creativity.

Make sure to mark your calendars for April 20-21, 2024 to meet us at Booth #732 for books, games and info on Children’s Institute!

“There are many little ways to enlarge your world. Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy

Top Ten Children’s Books with Mental & Behavioral Health Benefits

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A recently published Ipsos research report on parenting, “What the Future: Parenting,” finds that mental health is now the top concern parents have as they’re raising children. Kate MacArthur, a research editor at Ipsos says, “Thinking about all the things that parents could worry about for their children, seeing that 40% of parents indicating that they are extremely or very worried their children will struggle with anxiety or depression is a key finding.”

At Children’s Institute (CII), the therapists that work with children are aware of the importance of addressing mental and behavioral health issues from an early age. Children are growing up in a time defined by one global crisis after another, on top of the everyday struggles of trying to be a kid navigating the world around them, which can magnify existing mental health issues.

Children’s Institute serves children that experience this in addition to having to cope with community violence and economic hardship. It may not be easy to talk about difficult emotions with children but there are books and resources that facilitate these conversations in safe, accessible ways.

The therapists, teachers and staff at Children’s Institute came up with a list of resources and books that facilitate these types of conversations between parent and child. Here are their recommendations.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

The Invisible String is a great book as it helps children cope with separation anxiety, loss and grief. The book can help a child when they experience the death of a family member and even in class, when they need support while missing home.

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek

This book helps children talk about their emotions and the issues they hold in their hearts. During the pandemic, I used this book to help kids verbalize their worries and anxieties, which helped facilitate those conversations.

Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean

The child in this book has a very bad day and his uncle, who is a sensei, teaches him about regulating his feelings. The book has important lessons to hold onto and it even includes a children’s activity to make a calming jar.

Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

This book helps children develop empathy and kindness. My daughter’s school read this book and it became the basis for their school-wide program to help students empathize with their classmates.

El Libro de los Sentimientos (The Feelings Book) by Todd Parr

This beginner’s book illustrates the wide range of emotions humans – including children, can experience through the use of simple vocabulary and eye-catching illustrations. Instead of children bottling up their emotions, this book creates opportunities for your child to open up.

B is for Breathe: The ABCs of Coping by Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd

This book uses the ABCs in a way that helps children with coping skills to help manage their fussy and frustrating feelings. The story has fun illustrations which helps promote positive behaviors and self-regulating skills for children 2-5.

The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas

This story focuses on investigating feelings and introduces a method to help children identify their emotions. Children learn to identify their emotions by associating them with colors, helping them share how they are feeling.

The Bad Seed by Jory John

The Bad Seed introduces the concept of trauma and how it affects the way children think about themselves, behave and perceive others. Children can learn that positive changes are possible for each and every one of us.

The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr

This book is helpful when children deal with heavy emotions such as grief and anguish. It’s a touching story that discusses loss and how it is okay to not know how to feel in those times while establishing a feeling of safety and support.

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

This Dr. Seuss book utilizes colors and animals to describe different moods and emotions. Reading this book helps children validate their emotional experiences and get back to their baseline.

 

Additional Resources for Caregivers:

Conscious Discipline

Social Stories – ABA Resources 

The Best Behavior Series

NASP’s Book List for Children Dealing with Trauma and Loss

 

*Many thanks to Dr. Brandi Eichstedt, Dr. Diane Elias, Odalys DeLeon, Ingrid Mürrle and Riley Solorzano for contributing to this list of books & resources.

Deskside Chat with the Board: Ariff Sidi

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We had the privilege of sitting down with one of our newest Board members, Ariff Sidi, former GM & Chief Product Officer at Edgecast, a division of Verizon Media. During our conversation, Sidi shared some of his major career accomplishments and his convictions as a father and how these experiences led him to join the Board at Children’s Institute.

Ariff, you’ve had quite an impressive career – from engineering to product management to media and tech! Could you walk us through your professional journey, highlighting some of your achievements?

I started off in software engineering at Qualcomm, having graduated from the University of California, San Diego. In the beginning, my work was hands-on, writing code. While it was intellectually challenging, it was also a bit removed from the consumer experience, and I wanted to create products that touched people’s lives more directly. That led me to Disney, where I began migrating from engineering to product management.

During my 12-year tenure at Disney, I built a variety of products and technology that people were using and enjoying daily, which I loved. I also played a central role in the development of ABC’s industry-first video streaming platform, which my team built in only 62 days, and kicked off an entire industry transformation that is still ongoing today! In the process, I filed 10 patents, won an Emmy award and two additional Emmy nominations. I also earned an MBA from UCLA during this time.

After my time at Disney, FOX and a couple of start-ups, I went on to become the Chief Product Officer at a division of Verizon During my time at Verizon, I led the business through two private equity transactions, after which I decided to take some time out to spend with my family.

 Wow, what an incredible impact you’ve made across multiple industries! It must’ve been a rollercoaster of an adventure to be part of an unprecedented transition from traditional media to streaming, and congrats to you!

Can you share about what motivated you to join Children’s Institute’s Board of Trustees?

Ultimately, being a father of two young kids in the same age range as Children’s Institute’s children is what motivated me to join and why Children’s Institute’s mission and work resonates with me personally.  I recognize that a stable and healthy childhood makes a huge difference in launching young people into successful and happy adults. If I were to think of my own kids in anything but the best conditions – not being cared for, not having access to education, feeling unsafe, not having the opportunities they currently have, not having their dad around, etc. – it’s heartbreaking.

Knowing that not all children are afforded these opportunities, and that Children’s Institute is pushing hard to change that is the source of my motivation to get involved. I’m hoping that I can use my skills as a technologist, business leader, and dad to support Children’s Institute and the great work it does.

That’s wonderful to hear and thank you for your incredibly big heart and desire to help the children of Los Angeles, particularly those who are consistently marginalized and underserved. Children’s Institute’s North Star states that all children and families can achieve educational success and emotional wellbeing to build lasting pathways to lifelong health and economic mobility. Can you share what specifically connects you to Children’s Institute’s North Star?

I want to start off by sharing a quote by Martin Luther King Jr, from his book, “Why We Can’t Wait.”

It is obvious that if a man is entered at the starting line of a race 300 years after another man, the first would have to perform some impossible feat in order to catch up.

While this quote is specifically about racial inequality and reflects the challenges that many African Americans face today, I think it is has quite a lot of relevance to the work of Children’s Institute. It is difficult to compete if your starting line is so far behind your peers. That’s why the work of Children’s Institute and its work in early childhood education and head start programs is so important. How one starts their lives impacts their future and their early years in childhood carry forward into adulthood. I believe in a fair playing field, for kids most of all.

Let’s give these kids a better start to ensure better outcomes in the future.

What a powerful motivator. It’s true that to make a lasting impact, it often starts with the early stages of childhood. That relates to a statement that was recently made by a fellow Board member, Sunil Gunderia, who said, “The most effective and efficient societal investments in education are those made in early childhood education.”

Now that you are a member of Children’s Institute’s Board, what is something you would like to accomplish in your work and advocacy through Children’s Institute?

There are three parts to what I’d like to accomplish as a Board member of Children’s Institute:

First, in an early meeting with Martine Singer and Catherine Atack, before I became a member of the Board, they had mentioned that Children’s Institute has been around for over a hundred years – since 1906, which is about the time LA Children’s Hospital was established. But a major difference is the level of public awareness between the two. I would like to help build awareness for Children’s Institute and its work through my efforts and connections.

Second, because of my background in tech, I hope to be helpful in guiding the use of technology to drive and improve efficiencies to contribute to better outcomes internally.

And third, also related to technology, but more specifically as it relates to its externally facing products. I hope to be helpful in guiding the use of technology to improve products and services delivered to CII’s children and families.

That’s wonderful! We’re so excited to have you onboard! On a personal level, can you share some of your hobbies?

I have a bunch of hobbies, most of which lean pretty technical. I enjoy photography; I also enjoy sailing and powerboating; I’ve always been big into cars and had an amateur racing license at one point; I do a lot of DIY from electrical to plumbing to carpentry to metal work; I do some content creation; and I’m building an AI home automation system. I’m probably forgetting something. One day I will get a private pilot license, but my wife has forbidden me to do that while we have young kids!

Are there any other interesting facts about yourself?

I mentioned I had several patents from my time at Disney. There’s a high likelihood, probably a certainty, that you have come across and experienced one of my patents if you’ve ever watched a streamed video with ads in it. If you’ve noticed the countdown timer during an ad or how you can’t skip the ads, you’ve come into contact with one of my patents!

Thank you so much for your time, Ariff. It was a pleasure getting to know you and your desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Welcome to Children’s Institute!

(more…)

Ways to Engage this Black History Month

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Featured image: “Three Women” by Charles Dickson – 1966, Mixed media oil on canvas; learn more at CII’s Watts Campus Virtual Art Tour. 

Happy Black History Month!

Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) designates a theme for Black History Month. This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts. According to ASALH, “African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.”

So, we wanted to call attention to opportunities for CII staff and community to engage locally, in the art and history of LA’s Black Community.

Watts Towers Art Center – Black Brown Beige Exhibit

In 1943, Duke Ellington performed the symphony Black, Brown and Beige at Carnegie Hall, the title of which referred to the mistaken assertion that African-Americans can be categorized by a single color. In light of the shared experiences between Black and Latino Americans and in an effort to share the various colorful stories that lie behind a label, WTAC has organized the exhibition Black, Brown and Beige. The artists in the exhibition follow the trajectory that Ellington’s symphony set out to cover; historical, transitional and contemporary narratives.
Bahia Reverb: Artists and Place

Bahia Reverb: Artists and Place presents the work of ten artists who are former fellows at the Sacatar Institute in Bahia, Brazil—all from North America and of African descent. The exhibition reflects on how Bahia, an epicenter of the African diaspora that is located in northeast Brazil, has fueled their  work and changed their understanding of themselves. Bahia was the first point of entry of enslaved Africans into the Americas and remains the center of Afro-Brazilian culture to this day.
The Museum of African American Art

The MAAA in Los Angeles educates visitors of all ages and identities about the arts through the lens of African American culture. Exhibits and programs at MAAA allow artists and their work to inspire new thinking about issues that intersect with the shared experiences of people across the African diaspora and beyond. The museum’s uniquely accessible art space allows us to exhibit the work of extraordinary local artists and bring meaningful art experiences to the public. MAAA proudly welcomes all visitors with FREE admission, serves as an important community gathering space, and creates educational experiences for students and lifelong learners.
Skirball Cultural Center – This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement

Find hope in our capacity for collective action. This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement showcases more than 150 photographs that reveal the vital work undertaken by a broad coalition of young organizers and everyday people who fashioned a movement that changed America. The exhibition highlights the work of nine photographers primarily affiliated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s: Bob Adelman, George “Elfie” Ballis, Bob Fitch, Bob Fletcher, Matt Herron, David Prince, Herbert Randall, Maria Varela, and Tamio Wakayama.
Los Angeles Public Library – Black History Month Event Series

Engage in a number of artistic endeavors celebrating Black History Month with the LA Public Library. Activities include film screenings of Summer of Soul, Eve’s Bayou, and Black Panther. Engage in books discussions around “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson and “Kindred” by Octavia Butler. Enjoy a program showcasing African dance rhythms or take a fabric and painting workshop with the whole family.

Alarming Suicide Rates Impacting Latino Youth – NBC News Featuring CII

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NBC News recently published an article reporting on the increase in youth suicide rates, featuring insights by Dr. Diane Elias, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Children’s Institute (CII). While the findings may not be surprising, especially to those familiar with recent mental and behavioral health trends, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of understanding and bringing awareness to this complex youth mental health crisis.

The rising rates of youth suicide and suicidal ideation can be seen locally in Los Angeles but also nationally, affecting rural, suburban, and urban areas, alike. What is interesting about the statistic is that not all groups are affected equally. According to NBC News, the suicide rate for Hispanic people in the United States has increased significantly over the past decade. Even elementary school-aged Hispanic children have tried to harm themselves or expressed suicidal thoughts.

The statistics show that the rise in youth suicide has been more pronounced in communities of color, including Latino communities, where there’s been a staggering 92.3% increase in suicide among Hispanic children 12 and younger from 2010 to 2019. There is a significant increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations among young people for risky behavior and suicidal thoughts. Children as young as eight have required hospitalization for attempting to harm themselves, said Dr. Elias.

What makes this issue even more complex is that often, there are multiple layers and contributing factors and no one-size-fits-all solution. Issues including anxiety, a sense of uncertainty, a lack of access to mental health resources, and underlying mental health issues can exacerbate the problem but there are other factors that are unique to certain ethnic and racial groups that act as obstacles including, but not limited to, cultural and language barriers, stigma surrounding mental health, and even societal and economic pressures attributed to one’s residency status. The article states that, about one in five Spanish-language calls ended with the scheduler hanging up or informing the caller that no one was available to assist in Spanish, further proving how mental health care is often difficult to access. It’s critical to note these cultural and language factors in providing the right access to care.

Children’s Institute is keenly aware of and considers these factors when developing specialized approaches to treatment. According to Dr. Elias, Children’s Institute’s approach includes the following methods & services:

  • Trauma-Informed Care: addresses underlying issues and appropriately responds to the impact of trauma on mental health.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): identifies and focuses on building coping skills and resilience.
  • Family Therapy: strengthens family support systems and communication within the family structure.
  • Crisis Intervention: provides immediate support and develops safety plans catered to the individual’s needs.
  • Collaborative Care: coordinates efforts with schools, other healthcare professionals, and community services for comprehensive care.
  • Holistic Approach: explores creative therapies, mindfulness, and self-care practices.
  • Culturally Competent Services: aligns with cultural sensitivities and beliefs held within different groups.

Additionally, Children’s Institute aims to support families and youth in reducing the risk of suicidal ideation by providing comprehensive mental health services. Individuals seeking help or those looking to support someone in need can benefit from Children’s Institute’s diverse and personalized approach to mental health and well-being. To start the process, you can call 213-260-7600.

It is critical to approach any warning sign seriously and with compassion. If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs, seek help immediately. Reach out to mental health professionals for support and guidance and if there is an immediate risk of harm, call emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you are someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideation, it’s crucial to seek immediate help.

Steps to Reduce the Risk of Suicidal Ideations and Suicide for Families and Youth:

Open Communication:

  1. Encourage open and honest communication within the family.
  2. Create a safe space for youth to express their feelings without judgment.

Establish Support Networks:

  1. Build strong support networks involving family, friends, and community.
  2. Foster connections that provide emotional support during difficult times.

Encourage Professional Help:

  1. Promote the importance of seeking professional help including counseling/therapeutic services.
  2. Find mental health professionals and organizations that can provide support.

Identify Warning Signs:

  1. Changes in behavior such as sudden withdrawal from friends, family, or activities previously enjoyed.
  2. Communicating a sense of hopelessness
  3. Engaging in reckless or impulsive behaviors without regard for consequences
  4. Avoiding social interactions and isolation
  5. Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or sudden unexplained mood swings

Additional Resources and Other Steps to Take:

Suicide Prevention | CDC

Suicide Prevention: 12 Things Parents Can Do

Rising Latino Suicide Rates Worry Community Leaders | NBC News

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) for free and confidential support 24/7. This Lifeline provides crisis intervention and emotional support for people in distress or for those around them.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis. Help is available.

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 in the United States to connect with a trained crisis counselor. This service is available 24/7 and provides support via text message.

Emergency Services: If the situation is urgent or life-threatening, call emergency services (911 in the United States) immediately.

 

 

2023 Holiday Season Rewind

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The 2023 holiday season was nothing short of a whirlwind and at Children’s Institute, it was no different. We kicked off the holidays with our Staff Thanksgiving Luncheons and culminated with our Project Fatherhood Gingerbread making event, with several events in-between, including our annual Winter Festivals!

Take a walk down candy cane lane with us as we look back on some incredible highlights from this past holiday season.

2023 Staff Thanksgiving Luncheons

Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and yams were aplenty at our Staff Thanksgiving Luncheons held at our Watts, Otis Booth, and Figueroa offices. Each year, we invite all CII staff to gather around for food, games, giveaways, and this year was no exception. Thanks to Country Boy Catering, we had our fill of Thanksgiving Day classics while enjoying each other’s company and reminiscing on our accomplishments. Who’s ready for another serving of banana pudding?

 

Watts Community Thanksgiving

At this year’s Watts Community Thanksgiving event hosted at the Watts Campus, families were invited to enjoy a delicious meal by Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen and stay for magic by California Joe, giveaways, and community resources.

Special thanks to our amazing volunteers and to the organizations that tabled and generously shared resources with our community. We couldn’t do this without you!

 

A “December to Remember” Foster Youth Holiday Party

Last month, we held the “December to Remember” holiday celebration for 100+ foster youth and their guests at our Otis Booth Campus! The celebration was filled with magical moments, great food by Country Boy catering, lively music by DJ Lani Love, and even snow— a holiday miracle!

Thank you to our generous donors, funders, and community partners who supported this event, including ONE | A Potter’s House Church, the Dream Center, Alex & Tiffany Tuttle, and Tae and Tray Thompson of Twinspire, among many others. We appreciate all the support!

 

Winter Festival- Long Beach

From business park to winter wonderland, we transformed our Long Beach office for families to enjoy wreath making, gingerbread house building, face painting and more! As families entered through a fantastic balloon arch, they were invited to enjoy the snacks and arts & crafts, then visit the elves who were ready to deliver gifts to all the children. Finally, families were sent home with goodies and a full grocery bag, thanks to our partnership with South LA Café. Thank you to all who participated!

 

Winter Festival- Watts and Otis Booth

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, we enjoyed a Winter Fest double-feature at our Watts and Otis Booth campuses. The Watts community enjoyed face-painting, arts and crafts, a bounce house, and more. Special guests: the LA Rams cheer team and mascot made an appearance as well! Santa even took some time out of his busy schedule to join the festivities.

The magic extended to Echo Park that day at our Otis Booth campus. Music and laughter filled the air as families enjoyed wreath making, gingerbread houses, and gifts for all the children. Between Watts, Echo Park, Compton, Wilmington, and Long Beach we hosted over 2K children & families at our Winter Festivals this year and we couldn’t be happier about it!

Project Fatherhood’s Operation Gingerbread

To conclude the 2023 holiday season, we held one more event at our Watts Campus hosted by Project Fatherhood. Fathers were invited to bring their little ones to decorate gingerbread houses together. We had treats for all, and even a riveting giveaway . A few lucky kids went home with a brand new bike, but all kids went home with full stockings and great memories with their dad. Thanks to all who participated and thank you to Goofy for making a pit stop before heading home to Max (his son)!

Children’s Institute Changed My Life

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GIVE TODAY 

Thank you in advance for your tax-deductible donation!

Dear CII Family,

My name is Anjelica and I want to share my story about how Children’s Institute (CII) changed my life.

My daughter was born during the pandemic and her whole world was me, her dad, and her brother. My son was at home doing virtual learning and my daughter became really interested in his lessons. I knew I had to look for opportunities for her to get a head start. That’s how I found CII’s Home Visitation program.

Our home visitor, Ms. Janet, taught me so much about healthy child development. Not only did she help my daughter learn to write, draw, and communicate her feelings, but she also taught her self-regulation skills. During frustrating times at home, my little one reminded me to relax and breathe.

So, I thought to myself, “She’s getting help. What am I doing to help myself?”

I spoke to Ms. Janet, and she told me about counseling services at CII. Together, we learned how to break the cycle of difficult emotional issues I grew up with and this gave me the confidence to go back to school to complete my GED. CII and Ms. Janet were with me every step of the way, encouraging me to achieve my goals.

I hope to be an example for my children. I want my children to be brave, to see the struggles that I’ve been through and say, “Mom did it, so can I.” I hope that they never stop learning, never stop helping others, and know that I never stopped, for them.

Your support for CII ensures parents like me can find the support they need for their whole family.

Please consider giving generously this holiday season.

With Gratitude,

Anjelica Luna

 

Medi-Cal: Keep Yourself and Your Family Covered

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MEDI-CAL: 3 STEPS TO KEEP COVERAGE

To avoid a gap in your Medi-Cal coverage, please see important information below. Please share these details with your friends, family, and community.

ONE | Make sure your information is up to date.

  • Log into your Medi-Cal account and report any new changes to your name, address, phone number, and email address, so your county can contact you.

TWO | Check your email.

  • Counties will mail you a letter about your Medi-Cal eligibility. The letter will tell you if you need to complete a renewal form to see if you still qualify for Medi-Cal.

THREE | Complete your renewal form.

  • If you received a renewal form, submit your information by mail, phone, in person, or online to help avoid a gap in your coverage.

For more information on how to complete your Medi-Cal renewal form, please see links below: