Resources for Parents and Families
HPSM and other organizations in San Mateo County offer programs to support children, families, pregnant people and new parents.
HPSM programs and services
Our Baby + Me program
The Baby + Me program can connect you to services and local resources to support you during and after pregnancy. HPSM members who are pregnant or who recently gave birth are eligible for this program. Plus, HSPM Medi-Cal members who sign up can earn up to $100 in gift cards for going to two visits with their pregnancy care provider!!
Get medical advice by phone at no cost to you
If you are worried about your or your child’s health, HPSM has a Nurse Advice Line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-833-846-8773 if your or your child’s healthcare provider is not available. Registered nurses are ready to answer questions about your or your child’s symptoms.
Dental care
Dental checkups are also an important part of your child’s health. As an HPSM member, your child has access to many covered dental services. If you are pregnant, it is safe and recommended to see your dentist for a cleaning and exam before your baby is born.
To get dental care:
- Medi-Cal & CareAdvantage members get dental care through HPSM Dental. Learn about what services are covered.
- HealthWorx HMO members & San Mateo County ACE participants: check your member handbook for information.
Information about Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens
Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens provides services at no cost to HPSM members. Covered services that help keep your child healthy from birth to age 21 include:
- Check-ups (also known as well visits)
- Dental visits, including an exam to see if your child needs braces
- Vaccines and health screenings
- Treatments for physical and mental health problems
The brochures below explain how Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens works, what it covers, and its role in preventive care screening, diagnosis and treatment:
- The child brochure is for children up to age 12
- The teen brochure is for ages 12-21
- A letter called Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens: Your Medi-Cal Rights explains what members' options are if medically necessary care is denied, delayed, reduced or stopped
Looking for more health tips for children ages 13 to 21 years old? Visit HPSM’s Teen Health Tips pages.
Community resources
Legal information
Legal Aid at Work
Legal Aid at Work helps workers who live in California understand their legal rights at work. Services include information at no cost on work-related issues including family leave benefits and breastfeeding rights. Learn more.
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo helps adults and families get no-cost legal assistance in the areas of housing, government benefits, teen parenting and domestic violence. Learn more.
Childcare and early education
Childcare Coordinating Council (4Cs)
Supports families with finding, planning, paying for and accessing quality childcare. Their staff can provide childcare referrals. Learn more.
Family Connections
Offers no-cost early learning groups and classes for families with children from birth to five years old. They also have support groups for pregnant people and new parents. Learn more.
Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA)
Serves people experiencing domestic violence in San Mateo County. CORA offers crisis intervention, housing assistance, and legal and mental health services. Learn more by calling their 24-hour hotline or by visiting their website.
For pregnant people and new parents
Temporary Medi-Cal
This program is for pregnant people living in California without prenatal insurance. Immigration status does not matter. It covers the following prenatal services at no cost to you:
- Pregnancy test at a clinic
- Prenatal care visits
- Prescription medicines for your pregnancy
Applying for temporary Medi-Cal is fast and easy
- Call a clinic or provider to make an appointment for prenatal care. Locate a provider.
- Tell the staff that you do not have health insurance.
- Apply for temporary Medi-Cal when you are at your appointment.
Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
limited-income households get food and teaches people about healthy eating. WIC staff also provide breastfeeding support and education. This program serves people who are pregnant and parents with children from birth to five years old. Learn more.
Home Visiting Programs for Pregnant People and Parents
San Mateo County Health offers no-cost home visiting programs that can support pregnant people and families with children up to age 17. Home visiting helps you build strong parent-child relationships and promotes children’s healthy growth and development. These programs can also link you to resources to help you stay healthy. Call the Family Health Services Hotline 1-888-840-0889 to connect with any of the following home visiting programs:
- Nurse Family Partnership (NFP)
- Prenatal Advantage/Black Infant Health (BIH)
- Healthy Families San Mateo (HFSM)
- Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health (MCAH)
- Promoting First Relationships (PFR)
- Trauma-Informed Approach (TIA) to Public Health Nursing (PHN)
All-Options Talkline
If you are pregnant and unsure how to feel or what to do next, or you want to talk about a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility or pregnancy loss, All-Options has a free Talkline available to you. Just call (toll-free) 1-888-493-0092. Learn more.
For trans and gender non-binary folks
Family Equality
Getting ready for pregnancy as a non-binary person will involve a few extra steps to make sure your mental and physical health is supported. Family Equality offers information, suggested questions to ask your provider and resources, including a guide for preparing for pregnancy as a non-binary person. Learn more.