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New Web site provides one-stop shopping to connect residents with multiple assistance programs and services

First 5 Yolo has launched a new Web site (www.compasshelps.org) that connects Yolo County residents with available healthcare and social service programs.  “CompassHelps” is a quick and easy way for individuals and families to screen themselves for eligibility among multiple public assistance programs and services in the convenience and privacy of their homes.

“Anyone using the Internet, either at home or at one of the many public locations in the county, can quickly look up available services and pre-screen themselves for eligibility” said First 5 Yolo Children’s Health Program Coordinator Jackie Hausman, MPH, MPP.  “In addition, the Web site is very easy to navigate and will soon save client information in a confidential record in the broader Compass system so people don’t have to re-enter basic information every time they contact an agency for help.”

CompassHelps currently includes information about California’s Food Stamps program and a variety of free and low-cost health insurance programs for children and pregnant women.  These insurance programs include Medi-Cal for Children and Pregnant Women (California’s Medicaid program), Healthy Families (California’s Children’s Health Insurance Program), the Kaiser Child Health Plan (subsidized health insurance offered by Kaiser Permanente) and Healthy Kids (subsidized health insurance for children living in Yolo County). 

If people want help filling out the applications or navigating the enrollment process, the Web site provides information about community organizations that offer assistance.

“For those who don’t have computers at home, the local public libraries, the Department of Employment and Social Services in West Sacramento, and First 5 Yolo partner agencies such as RISE in Esparto, Yolo County Children’s Alliance in Davis, and the Yolo Family Resource Centers in Woodland have computers available for people to use,” noted First 5 Yolo Executive Director Julie Gallelo. 

First 5 Yolo plans to grow the CompassHelps system over time by including additional programs to continue to better serve the community.  Additional programs under consideration include connecting Web site visitors with nutritional assistance, childcare programs, housing assistance, early childhood education and assistance with filing for tax credits. 

CompassHelps is part of the larger Compass software system already being used by outreach organizations in Yolo County.  The Compass system allows outreach organizations to screen potential beneficiaries for eligibility, complete program-specific application forms and manage client application processes and enrollment in the programs for which they apply.  To streamline the application process, users of CompassHelps will be able to electronically provide information they have already entered into the system to organizations using the full Compass system.  This will expedite the application process for the public and improve the efficiency of the assistance organizations. 

CompassHelps, developed by Vistalogic, Inc. (www.vistalogic.net), is being made available in Yolo County through funding provided by First 5 Yolo.  Yolo County residents also may connect to the CompassHelps Web site by going to the First 5 Yolo Web site at www.first5yolo.org.

About First 5 Yolo

Research shows a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. In November 1998, California voters passed a statewide ballot initiative to add a 50-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes. The funds collected are utilized to fund education, health and childcare programs that promote early childhood development from prenatal through age 5. For more information about First 5 Yolo, please visit www.First5Yolo.org.

Partnership with the WestEd Center for Prevention and Early Intervention targets current providers who want higher level of training

First 5 Yolo and the WestEd Center for Prevention and Early Intervention have joined forces to increase local expertise in early childhood mental health. 

With a goal of increasing the capacity of current Yolo County providers to work with children 0 to 5 years of age and their families on early childhood mental health issues, First 5 Yolo is partnering with WestEd to offer a free professional development program for eligible participants through a comprehensive new program for infant/family and early childhood education.  The program offers a series of training sessions during a two-year period to build mental health expertise along the continuum of prevention, preventive intervention, and treatment. 

The Early Childhood Mental Health training series is based on the Revised Training Guidelines & Personnel Competencies for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health in California (2009).  The training series is designed to meet California endorsement hours for both Core Providers (1/2 day sessions) and Mental Health Specialists (full day sessions).

Training will include both face-to-face training sessions as well as required outside assignments (e.g., readings related to topical sessions, short and long term assignments, and class projects). 

Those eligible to apply for the free training include Yolo County providers currently offering early intervention, early childhood education, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, special education, human development, audiology, social work and pediatric services. 

Also eligible are those working with pregnant women, infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their families, as well as individuals from relevant professional practice disciplines who have a Masters Degree or higher and/or a license/certificate/credential. 

The professional development program is planned for a cohort of 20 individuals who will complete the full two-year program and receive a certificate of completion.  In addition, there will be approximately 20 fee-based slots for “drop-in” participants who wish to attend specific Friday sessions.   

Trainings will be held the third Friday of each month, beginning Friday, September 18 and will take place at the Woodland Community and Senior Center. Classes will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To apply, go to www.first5yolo.org, or contact Jackie Hausman, jhausman@first5yolo.org, (530) 669-2330.  Applications must be received by Friday, August 14, 2009.

About First 5 Yolo

Research shows a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. In November 1998, California voters passed a statewide ballot initiative to add a 50-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes. The funds collected are utilized to fund education, health and childcare programs that promote early childhood development from prenatal through age 5. For more information about First 5 Yolo, please visit www.First5Yolo.org.

Commission says yes to six programs and partnerships across county

First 5 Yolo has awarded $160,000 to fund six programs benefiting young children and their families, including early childhood mental health therapy for homeless or transitionally housed preschoolers. According to First 5 Yolo Executive Director Julie Gallelo, this new partnership with Ark Preschool in Woodland will assist the tuition-free school in providing therapy services for parents of children with emotional or behavioral issues.     

Other special projects funded during First 5 Yolo’s 2009-2010 fiscal year include an award to Yolo County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of $26,490 for the recruitment, training and supervision of advocates to serve children ages 0-5 who are in the court system. 

The Yolo County Health Department received $23,662 for perinatal substance abuse assessment training for health care providers and substance abuse education for pregnant women. 

Funding for the development of a high-quality, pre-kindergarten developmental program for low-income children was requested by the City of Winters. The $23,748 award was given to form the Jardin de Ninos pre-kindergarten program in which children can develop social, behavioral and literacy school-readiness skills.

Car seat instruction workshops and low-cost/free car seat distribution for high risk and foster parents provided by the Yolo County Health Department also got the green light and received $30,000. 

In Knights Landing, the Children’s Center received $30,000 to hold nutrition workshops, healthy cooking demonstrations and fitness opportunities for low-income rural families with young children.

“Scientific research shows a child’s brain develops the most dramatically during the first five years,” emphasized Helen Thomson, Yolo County Supervisor and First 5 Yolo Commission Chair.  “We believe that mental health therapy, pre-kindergarten developmental programs and the other support we have been able to fund to assist at-risk children will reap large rewards for children, families and our community in future years.” 

First 5 Yolo’s Special Projects grants provide one-time funding for innovative programs or studies.  At its June 10, 2009, meeting, the Commission approved the $160,000 to assist the selected programs during the next fiscal year, which began July 1.

Programs will be monitored and evaluated as well as provided with necessary technical assistance from First 5 Yolo.

First 5 Yolo is committed to improving the lives of children 0-5 years of age and their families in Yolo County.  First 5 Yolo focuses on ensuring these children are healthy and ready to learn by providing grant funding to programs in Yolo County that benefit young children by improving their health and providing access to developmental activities.

About First 5 Yolo

Research shows a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. In November 1998, California voters passed a statewide ballot initiative to add a 50-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes. The funds collected are utilized to fund education, health and childcare programs that promote early childhood development from prenatal through age 5. For more information about First 5 Yolo, please visit www.First5Yolo.org.