CalWORKs Starting Out Strong Program

What is the CalWORKs Starting Out Strong Program?

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Starting Out Strong Program (SOSP) is a free and voluntary program that matches new and expectant CalWORKs parents with a nurse or trained professional who will meet with you at a location that you choose. The CalWORKs SOSP is a partnership between the Alameda County Social Services Agency and the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA), Public Health Department (PHD).

Benefits a family may receive from participating in the program include:

• improved health for the parent/caretaker relative and child(ren);
• new parenting skills and techniques
• lower stress levels;
• activities to encourage child development;
• referrals and resources for the parent/caretaker relative and their children;
• opportunities for their child(ren) to enroll in high-quality child care services, playgroups or other enrichment activities aimed at giving the child(ren) the best start in life; and
• assistance obtaining items for new parents, such as car seats and child safety kits, dependent on established need.

A nurse or trained professional will provide guidance, coaching, and connections to resources that help improve families’ education, social, economic, and financial outlook.

Eligibility

• A member of a CalWORKs assistance unit or the parent/caretaker relative for a child-only case, including sanctioned or timed-out individuals; and
•  Currently pregnant or a parent/caretaker to a child less than 36 months of age.

For more information, you can call (510) 667-4333 or email homevisiting@acgov.org.