Need a lil help? Free stuff, prenatal, birthing, childcare & assistance programs

National:

Go to http://www.govbenefits.gov/ to find ALL government benefits you might be entitled to & how to apply (including WIC, insurance, small biz loans, food stamps, childcare & more). The easiest way to see what you qualify for is to take the questionnaire. Go to Benefits tab & click on "take questionnaire".

Cali & Solano Co/Bay Area:

 At the First 5 California website you can get a free Kit for New Parents mailed to you. Just click here. It's that easy! Or call 1800-KIDS-025

Also related to 1st 5 is the "Solano Mamas Handbook". email: cfcsolano@solanocounty.com to get a FREE copy. You can also go HERE to order one, it's free but you pay about $7 shipping.

About: "We've collected all the top Mama secrets-from community services and school information to places to do and things to see—and packed them into 25+ in-depth chapters."

ATTENTION ATTENTION: 211!!

Just call 2-1-1 to connect to community services in the Bay (child care, job services, rent assistance, legal aid, healthcare, counseling, food, shelter, clothing & MORE) ya heard!

Healthcare/Prenatal Help:

 Sign up for a great prenatal newsletter HERE : "yourPregnancy Week by Week: A weekly newsletter for pregnant women. Week by Week information about your pregnancy and your baby's development." mothering.com/newsletters/

http://www.babyfirstsolano.com/ A program provided through First 5 Solano providing services to pregnant women including assistance finding a provider, obtaining health insurance, breastfeeding support and parenting classes. 1-877-680-BABY (2229)

La Clinica/ Great Beginnings

For pregnant women and teens with Medi-Cal in Vallejo and surrounding areas, provides prenatal care, CPSP wraparound services, substance abuse screening, education, and motivational counseling for women at risk

Call Nadia Sandoval at (707) 645-7316 

Prenatal Care Guidance

For pregnant women and teens in all of Solano County, assists women into early prenatal care and medical insurance and refers to BabyFirst Solano programs

1-877-680-BABY (2229) or Esther Hamrick at (707) 784-8540

ABC Prenatal Program

For pregnant women and teens with Medi-Cal in Fairfield and surrounding areas, provides prenatal care, education, and counseling for women, located at the NorthBay medical Center

Amelia Franklin, Case Manager at (707) 429-6751 

Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center 

www.alphaprc.org

The center is a nonprofit offering hope, help and healing to teens and women in Solano County. The free and confidential services include pregnancy counseling and prevention education, pregnancy testing, pre and post-abortion syndrome counseling. Their C.A.R.E. program also provides expectant and new mothers with support, education, and referrals while guiding learning and responsibility but encouraging responsibility. Call or visit their website for more info.

(707) 643-2575 Vallejo   (707) 373-8940 Benicia    (707) 428-3300 Fairfield    (707) 449-8991 Vacaville

Solano Coalition for Better Health solanocoalition.org which includes:

Healthy Kids Solano

Healthy Kids Solano is a locally developed health insurance program created to provide coverage to children who do not qualify for the state sponsored programs, such as free cost Medi-Cal, and Healthy Families Program. 

Solano Kids Insurance Program (SKIP) 
The Solano Kids Insurance Program (SKIP), a program of the Solano Coalition for Better Health, is a centralized health insurance resource for uninsured children and their families.  Our goal is that all children living in Solano County have health care coverage and access to health care services.

Its About My Baby

    For pregnant and postpartum teens age 19 and younger, provides perinatal services such as substance abuse screening, education, and motivational counseling for at-risk teens, has bilingual staff and can provide transportation to prenatal care appointments

Debbie Terrazas, Project Manager (707) 645-7316 

Growing Together Perinatal Program

    For pregnant women and teens with Medi-Cal in Solano County, assists with transportation to prenatal care appointments, provides breast pump rentals for Partnership Healthplan women returning to work, provides incentives for attending all scheduled prenatal and postpartum appointments.

Call (707) 863-4276 or Phyllis Pratt, Perinatal Coordinator (707) 863-4223

Adolescent Family Life Program

    For pregnant and parenting teens ages 19 and younger if in high school, provides case management, childbirth education, infant massage classes and support groups, through Planned Parenthood

Call Tracy Nunley, Community Services Manager (707) 421-2750x201

Black Infant Health

    For pregnant African American women 18 and older in Vallejo, Fairfield, Suisun, and Vacaville, provides social support and empowerment classes

Contacts: In Vallejo contact Sheila McGregor at (707) 553-5055, in Fairfield contact Mary Henderson at (707) 784-8506

Children's Nurturing Project

    For pregnant and parenting teens, parents in recovery, and children 0-2years., provides parenting classes for pregnant and parenting teens with children 0-5 in recovery, Welcome Home Baby visits and developmental screenings, all babies get a free gift.

Contact Laurie Andres, Program Coordinator at (707) 422-0464

Nubian Mentoring Program

    For pregnant African American women 18 and older in Fairfield, Suisun, Vallejo, and Benicia, provides mentorship services to expectant women and recruits volunteers for mentoring

Adrian Robinson at (707) 647-1520x202

AIM: low cost insurance for pregnant women aim.ca.gov

Family Planning: referrals to state-funded clinics 1800-942-1054

Healthy Families/Medi-cal: low cost insurance healthyfamilies.ca.gov

Planned Parenthood ppfa.org

Low cost vision care for children under 18 sightforstudents.org

FREE Drs advice:AskDrSears.com Check their website & blog for all your baby needs.
They are my go to folks for everything baby & breast feeding &attachment parenting!! THESE Drs know what they're talkin' bout! This husband & wife team wrote The Baby Book & most of the info in the book is on their website for FREE!!! That book got me through the first 2 years of my dtrs life & I couldn't have done it without them :) I especially like them because they have 8 kids of their own (experience is the best teacher). All too often I have had doctors give me advice on something they know little about (ie birthing, but you're not a mother).  

See my post on other resources on breast feeding, birthing, baby care & more HERE: http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/need-lil-help-heres-other-helpful.html


They now have a Dr Sears app too!! Sadly not free tho! 

Breast Feeding Help:

DID YOU KNOW...if there is pain with breastfeeding something is wrong. Yes this happened to me, the first 2 weeks after my dtr was born, I had nipple pain & they became dry & cracked. Little did I know this is NOT normal. It is a sign something is wrong, so stop & call your lactation consultant right away. 9 times out of 10 it's a latching or positioning problem, that can be easily fixed, so don't wait!! This is one of the most common reasons why mamas stop Bfing & we don't want that! I didn't know until recently that there shouldn't be any pain w/ BFing. I just stuck it out & eventually me & my baby got it right. Don't make my mistake :) HERE's a youtube on how to get the proper latch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zln0LTkejIs See my post about BFing for more youtube vids!

Always consult an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Remember you can't always trust the "white coat". While they ARE Drs, a lot of them aren't trained in BFing. IBCLC's know best. Trust your gut when a doctor gives you breastfeeding or parenting advice (most weren't trained in that either lol). Ask yourself: "Does this feel right for me?" If not get a 2nd opinion!

DO YOU HAVE WIC OR WANT TO??

Through a new program at WIC (Women, Infants & Children) you now have access to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors & IBCLC's for FREE!!!! I am one & we can help you with all kinds of support/resources & free pumps! Come see us!!!!

KellyMom.com "Breastfeeding and Parenting. Evidence-based information on breastfeeding and parenting issues." She's an IBCLC & can answer a lot of questions!

Blacktating.com "Breastfeeding News & Views from a Mom of Color"  I LOOOOVE her blog!!!

BestforBabes.org "Beating the Booby Traps that prevent Moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals"

For MORE info see my post on breastfeeding HERE

Also join Roots Mamas on Facebook, as I said I'm a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor & there I post helpful tips & info on common BFing problems (& solutions *wink*) & converse with other Roots Mamas, join us!! 

Breastfeeding information & support lalecheleague.org  go on their site to find a local suppot group

Local Breastfeeding Support:


WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors & Lactation Consultants:
Vallejo 707-553-5939 Fairfeild 707-784-2213 Vacaville 707-448-7361


Go to a Support Group:

Vallejo/Napa Locations

WIC office 
553-5381 Spanish only (English coming soon), 2nd Wednesdays of the month 3:00 – 4:00 PM 365 Tuolumne Street, 3rd floor
MEW Project for African American Moms
648-1287 Last Saturday of the month 9:30 – 11:00 AM 190 Hospital Drive
Kaiser Baby and Me Support Groups (Kaiser Members ONLY)
651-2696 Every Monday 10:00 -11:00 AM Second floor in Conference Room 3
Napa La Leche League (707) 253-9137


Fairfield/Suisun Locations
WIC Office
784-2200 English or Spanish, 1st Fridays of the month 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 2101 Courage Drive
La Leche League Meetings
864-3050 2nd Wednesday of the month 7:00 – 8:30 PM 1737 Rockville Road
2nd Tuesday of the month 10:00 – 11:30 AM 1601 Alcazar Ct., Suisun
NorthBay Every Tues 12:00-2:30 PM 


Vacaville Location
La Leche League Meeting
469-8096 3rd Tuesday of the month 7:00 – 8:30 PM 531 Marbella Lane

La Leche League Support Groups for Benicia, Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Martinez, and Walnut Creek 

lalecheleague.org

(707) 644-3599 or (707) 446-4223

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NorthBay Medical Center (Fairfield)
707-646-5024

Classes: (707) 399-6437  Phone Support: (707) 429-7858

Sutter Solano Medical Center (Vallejo)

Phone Support: (707) 554-5040  Appointments (707) 554-5226

Sutter Davis Medical Center (Davis)

Classes: (530) 756-6760  Phone Support (530) 756-6667

Kaiser Permanente 

Fairfield/Vallejo: (707) 651-5582

Vacaville: (707) 453-5429

Pediatric Advice: (707) 651-1025

Classes, books, and video rental or purchase:

Vallejo 707-651-2692, Napa 707-258-4490, Fairfield 707-427-4466, Vacaville 707-453-5155

David Grant Medical Center (Travis AFB)
Lactation Unit 707-423-7129

New Parents Support Program (707) 423-5168

Support, Info, and Classes (707) 423-5361 or 423-3912

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Local Clinics for Breastfeeding Support

ABC (Vallejo) 707-646-4166 (Fairfield)  (707) 429-6751

Great Beginnings (Vallejo)  (707) 554-5164 or (707) 645-7316

Dixon Family Practice (Dixon)  (707) 635-1600 x 1662

La Clinica Vallejo (707) 556-8100 x 124 

Family Health Centers of Planned Parenthood Fairfield (707) 429-8855

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Napa Valley Breastfeeding Coalition (707) 866-9333 or berybrit@napanet.net  
__________________________________________________________

Public Health Nursing

    For pregnant and postpartum women and teens and infants in Solano County, provides education, assesments, and referrals for pregnant and postpartum women and their babies, provides breastfeeding assistance.

In Vallejo: (707) 553-5402      Fairfield/Vacaville: (707) 784-8070

___________________________________________________________

Birthing & Baby Care:
local (East Bay/Solano):
Doula's- BirthingDreams.org & AsYouWishBirthServices.com

on the web:

Looking for a Baby Friendly Hospital??

Go HERE (http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/03.html) to find one in your area. If you're in the Bay, Hayward Kaiser is the closest one I've found, Woo Hoo!

To see what a "Baby Friendly Hospital" is see my other post HERE: http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/roots-mama-recommendsbooksdvds-more.html 

FREE Birth Plan:HERE from EarthMamaAngelBaby.com

http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/ a beautiful site & the name says it all, TONS of info!!

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/ "Helping women & health care professionals make informed maternity care decisions" (I wish i had found this site before i had my baby!)

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/ good site & easy to navigate!

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/ another good educational site & has some natural birth videos

http://www.askdrsears.com/ very good site!! from my favorite family Dr. (you'll find many links in my blog to this site!) also the author of The Baby Book that I recommend. (a lot of info that is in book can be found on their website too!)

www.birthingfromwithin.com

 DONA Find a certified doula in your area, find out information about doulas and why they are so awesome to have at your birth!

 ALACE Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators 

 CAPPA Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association 

SHARE YOUR BIRTH STORY AT http://www.mybestbirth.com/
My Best Birth: "Take back your birth! Join the fastest growing community on the web. Get advice from experts & share your birth experience"

Take your under 2 year old to HAPPY FROG (indoor jumpy house playland) in Vallejo for FREE every day they're open! All other children $5. They even have special toddler only time on thursdays!

Also in Vallejo: LAAM 520 Carolina St. FREE diapers, clothing & more! 707-642-5001

Solano Carseat Connection

    This program provides education on safe carseat installation as well as carseat checks and inspections. They also have classes that provide gift certificates toward the purchase of a safe car seat for your baby. Call to make an appointment to have your vehicle carseats inspected for Free by certified carseat technicians! 

Call (707) 553-KKID or en espanol (707) 784-8081.

Childcare Help:
Each county has a CEL (or Centralized Eligibility List) that when you sign up for, you apply for all subsidized childcare programs (for low-income families).
The best way to find the CEL for your county is to google "Centralized Eligibility List & the name of your county".


Childcare Connection rrnetwork.org
The Children's Network of Solano County
www.childnet.org

Solano Family and Children's Services

http://www.solanosfcs.org/ Childcare Resources 

Child Start (Head Start)

www.childstartinc.org

Food/Shelter Help: 

Catholic Social Services http://www.csssolano.org/ 

Services include FREE: Homeless case management, self-sufficiency programs, food give-aways, rental assistance ("Season of Sharing"), counseling, anger management & parenting classes, low-cost telephone service, immigration, tax preparation and information/referrals.

They're awesome!! & They have locations all over the country, not just Solano County 

Food Banks of Contra Costa & Solano http://www.foodbankccs.org/

Here's list of where the Food Banks are located all over the counties: HERE 

www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/food-assistance-program.html

Free Food for Children: Children, 4 and 5 years old, receive free food every month at one of nine sites throughout Contra Costa and Solano counties. Children, who are referred by WIC staff (Federal government: Women, Infants, and Children program), are provided with a large box of nutritious, high-protein food weighing 25 pounds. Go HERE for info www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/food-for-children.html

Food Stamps http://www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/food-stamps.html

WIC

Federal Women, Infants and Children programprovides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding / non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

Free Meals for Children & Teens during summer

Salvation Army: People can receive holiday assistance, meals, money to pay rent and utility bills, prescription vouchers and even money for an overdue mortgage, as funding allows. Vallejo, Dixon, Fairfield, Vacaville. (707) 784-8050

Dixon Family Assistance offers several services and resources. They have a program that can help pay energy bills, provide renters and homeowners with funds for rent help, and they run a food bank that is located on site that can help people struggling to pay for their next meal. 707-678-0442

Families in Transition in Benicia provides rent assistance and homelessness prevention services to Benicia area families who suddenly suffer an unexpected economic setback due to a medical emergency, unemployment, health, job loss, or family problems. (707) 645-3000

The Benicia Community Action Council, (707) 745-0900, offers several different assistance programs for youth and seniors and they also administer emergency services for low-income families to help them with bills and expenses.

St. Vincent De Paul Society local non-profit agency that provides emergency financial assistance to low income and other struggling residents. The agency can distribute motel vouchers, food, money for partial utility bill payments, and housing aid. Vallejo (707) 556-9846 Benicia (707) 747-7220.

Rio Vista Community Services offers qualified families rent help, they provide emergency homelessness prevention services including transportation, free food, shelter, utility and heating bill payment assistance and even prescription drug expense assistance and vouchers. (707) 374-5706.

Healthy Start Family Resource Network - The non-profit provides assistance obtaining temporary financial assistance for paying utilities. They help people file for the federal government Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). They also help families and individuals obtain assistance through a network of churches and charities as funds are available. Also help people find jobs, offer resume reviews, and computer access. Fairfield (707) 421-3224

Community Presbyterian Church - Good Samaritan ((707) 448-5055) - Offers assistance on a limited basis  for Vacaville California residents who may be experiencing an immediate emergency need for vehicle gasoline, utility bills for gas, electricity or water expenses.

Mission Solano - Offers shelter and food. (707) 422-1011

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Fairfield ((707) 422-4741), offers groceries and clothing to anyone in need of aid.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church - Offers food and groceries. (707) 448-2390

Bay Area Foreclosure Assistance Collaborative - The organizations hosts foreclosure information workshops, prevention tactics and free seminars both distressed homeowners and renters whose landlords are facing foreclosure. Housing advocates, counselors and legal experts cover the foreclosure process, for free, and provide information on tenants' rights, foreclosure rescue scams, mortgage refinance issues, and more. (510) 271-8443

Pacific Community Services - Counselors from this HUD agency provide free or low cost confidential counseling to families who are in danger of losing their homes through a foreclosure filing. Counseling and advice offered includes forbearance agreements, reinstatement, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, refinancing or recasting the mortgage and sale of the property and assignment of the Mortgage to HUD. Phone (800) 914-6874.
HUD rental assistance (section 8 etc)
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance

Education Help:

Get FREE MONEY to go to college.

Step 1: Find out what college you want to attend & sign up! 

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid by filling out a FAFSA HERE http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/# 

Step 3: Apply for a Cal Grant http://www.calgrants.org/ 

Step 4: sign up for BOG Fee Waiver at your school or HERE http://www.cccapply.org/BOG_Waiver/ (easy to get & it waives most college fees) 

Help for your pocket:This lady's blog (I Love a Good Deal) got ton's of free stuff especially this FREE stuff/food!!
FREE magazine subscription to KIWI "Growing families the natural & organic way" here
(more mags 4 free there too!)
FREE 1st Birthday cake for your lil sprout
And find ALL FREE stuff on your birthday here: http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com/ (the best site!!)
Only one I found not listed there: Free Grand Slam on your b-day @ Denny's, just show your ID
UPDATE: You know I LOVE cupcakes! Here's Barnes & Noble Kids Club (info below & more on website: https://kids.barnesandnoble.com/kidsclub/)

We Celebrate Kids' Birthdays!

30% off list price on any one kids' book or toy for your children

• Free cupcake from our café for all your children's birthdays
• Free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com

Want FREE TICKETS to Disneyland?? (UPDATE: sadly this is over)
Go HERE to sign up for the Give a day, Get a Day program. Just put your zip code in & it will bring up volunteer opportunities in your area. Once you sign up & volunteer, you'll get your tix in your email. We did it & felt great to give back to our community.



Want $5 for FREE?? Just activate a NetSpend prepaid Visa card (this card is great & you will never get overdraft charges!)
To redeem:
Visit www.mynetspendcard.com to purchase your card online or search for a nearby retailer at netspend.com
Once you receive your card in the mail activate it online and enter the referral code provided for a $5 credit to your Account
REFERRAL CODE: 6852603374
No credit application. No Bills. No hidden fees.

MORE FREE MONEY$$

Just go to unclaimed.org to find any unclaimed money or property you may have (this is a site that leads you to each states FREE search site, if you go to a site that charges, don't do it! the search should always be FREE). I went to unclaimed.org, clicked on my state & found I had money waiting for me! Sound too good to be true? That's what I thought. BUT..companies are required by law to send funds from lost accounts to the state of the owner's last known address. Then the state holds them for safe keeping until they are claimed. So you never know. The unclaimed.org site has more info HERE

Facts:
Every U.S. state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands - and Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta in Canada have unclaimed property programs that actively find owners of lost and forgotten assets.

Total of at least $32.877 billion is currently being safeguarded by state treasurers and other agencies for 117 million accounts.

Claims can be made into perpetuity in most cases - even by heirs.

What is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property (sometimes referred to as abandoned) refers to accounts in financial institutions and companies that have had no activity generated or contact with the owner for one year or a longer period. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed dividends or payroll checks, refunds, traveler's checks, trust distributions, unredeemed money orders or gift certificates (in some states), insurance payments or refunds and life insurance policies, annuities, certificates of deposit, customer overpayments, utility security deposits, mineral royalty payments, and contents of safe deposit boxes.


COMMENT & LET ME KNOW IF THIS HELPED YOU FIND SOME UNCLAIMED PROPERTY!

Music FOR FREE to lift your soul:Whole albums from....
East Bay's own hip-hop-jazz band phenomenon: Kev Choice
First Lady of the Bay: Jimmie Reign

50 free music downloads from emusic!

not free yet but check him out:

MISC:

Fabulous site: Bay Area on the Cheap!  TONS of FREEBIES , a complete listing of all FREE museum/attraction days, cheap dates, cheap gas finder, 1/2 price on tickets & MORE MORE MORE!! Can't say enough about how great this site is!! Thanks bayareaonthecheap.com!

Free Movies Online: Hulu.com


Don't forget about your local library!! You can check out books, dvds, cds, use internet & more! Plus they're FREE & most have online services so you can place hold on books etc. Then when they're ready just go down & pick them up off the hold shelf (so quick & easy!)

Check MomsinBloom.org's phenomenal Solano County resources HERE including children w/ disabilities help, local midwifes/doulas info & more!

Postpartum Support International: 24 hour support for new mamas with depression postpartum.net 1800-773-6667
Support for single parents parentswithoutpartners.org
Need help to stop smoking? californiasmokershelpline.org
Info on CA state disability www.edd.ca.gov/Disability
Being discriminated at work? http://www.eeoc.gov/

Child Abuse and neglect: 800-544-8696

SafeQuest (Solano County): "Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault"

www.safequest.org 

Crisis:  1-866-4UR SAFE                                

Business: 707-422-7345 

Solano Family Violence Resources: www.co.solano.ca.us/depts/fvp/community_resources/solano_county_resources.asp

Domestic Violence and Assault Services and Counseling: 866-4-UR-SAFE (487-7233)

Emergency Mental Health Crisis Line: 707-428-1131 or 800-547-0495