Undocumented Student Support
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR UNDOCUMENTED CALIFORNIANS
Visit our Cuesta Monarch Center a safe place where undocumented students and their families can gather and feel safe,
valued and supported. The center will facilitate access to Cuesta’s programs and services
as well as local and State resources to assure the personal and academic success of
the undocumented students and their families. The Monarch Centers are a place where
diversity and all cultures are embraced and celebrated.
- California Community Colleges Chancellor's list of resources for undocumented students.
- "Your Health, Your Future: Making DACA Work For You in the Golden State". A guide to the public benefits available to recipients of deferred action for childhood arrivals in California.
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Supporting & Protecting Undocumented Students. A helpful resource filled with tips for allies and undocumented students.
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Foundation for California Community Colleges Dreamers project that seeks to lay the groundwork for a longer-term program to implement strategies that will meet undocumented students’ needs.
- Childcare Support Programs Links to resources for child care providers including: guidelines for service, financial support, training and state and local resources.
- Cuesta Financial AID
- The California Dream Act allows students who are AB 540 eligible to apply for certain financial aid programs in the state of California.
- FAFSA, CADAA or Chafee Grant application
- Immigrants Rising’s virtual Wellness Gatherings help undocumented young people stay grounded and connected to one another.
- What health care and health services are provided for undocumented and international
students?
Cuesta Health Services when undocumented and international Cuesta students enroll in classes and pay the health fee they receive free and confidential physical health services and mental health therapy here at the Health Center.* The Health Services Program is guided by the California Code of Regulations (Title 5) 54702, Education Code Section 76401, Health Services policy 5200, and AP 5200. Though non-credit students do not pay the health fee, they may voluntarily pay the fee and access the services by visiting the cashier. - Community Health Centers of the Central Coast offers primary care, dental and chiropractic care, optometry and behavioral health services and more for low cost or sliding scale fees.
- Noor Clinic provides free medical, eye, dental and specialty care for uninsured adults regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration, religion or socioeconomic status.
- Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health carefor low or no cost.
- The Center provides reproductive health carefor low or no cost.
- STD Testing in Santa Maria you have options for getting STD tests in Santa Maria. Learn about convenient local testing for common STDs at a lab, clinic, or at home. And if you need financial help, find out about low-cost or free STD testing near you.
- MediCal an immigrant who meets all eligibility requirements, but is not in a satisfactory immigration status for full scope Medi-Cal is entitled to limited health services. These services include the MediCal breast and cervical cancer program, emergency hospital and long term care, kidney dialysis care, and pregnancy services.
- Tele-ER services are available with local doctors through Tenet Health by calling (805) 546-7990.
Initial call is free of charge and they accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal.
This is an excellent opportunity if you are unsure if you need emergency services.
This option allows anyone to talk to a board-certified Emergency Room physician 24
hours a day, seven days a week from the comfort of your home. Many of their doctors
can now "see" you online, and it’s easy to make an appointment. All you need is a
smartphone, tablet or computer.
- Click here for more health resources
- Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Connector provides undocumented young people with psychological support, allowing you to access your strengths and resiliency in order to achieve your personal goals and healing.
- Community Counseling Center provides short-term, low-cost, professional counseling for individuals, couples and families who would not otherwise be able to afford it. Most clients have no insurance and a low to moderate income.
- Transitions Mental Health has numerous services for community members. Check out their monthly calendars to see what is happening at their wellness centers: Wellness Calendars
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Alianza Lumina serves both victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault/abuse and their loved ones. Lumina provides comprehensive programs, services and resources to the community.
- HelpAdvisor: Las disparidades raciales en el tratamiento de la salud mental: Investigación y recursos
- Hispanic American Mental Health Disparities Report
- Check more Mental Health resources here
Mental health & self-care
- Blog post on self-care tips for Asian Americans during COVID pandemic
- Headspace has some free resources for all and is free for providers with NPI numbers in 2020
- Active online guide of free meditation resources
- Liberate Meditation (meditation app by and for POCs)
- Resources to support health providers’ mental health from UCSF
- Reminder of a critical examination of the use of mindfulness in western mental health
- Psychology Today blog post: Radical healing in times of fear and uncertainty
- NAMI blog posts: Mental health coping strategies
Responding to racism and xenophobia
- Understanding Racism and Its Related Stress Can Help People of Color Cope with Negative Effects by past AAPA President Dr. Karen Suyemoto and colleagues
- Report and document incidents of hate crimes against AAPIs
- Surviving Racism Amidst COVID-19 - by Yin J. Li
- NYTimes article, How to respond to microaggressions - by Hahna Yoon
- Guide to responding to microaggressions - by Dr. Kevin Nadal
- Disarming Racisim from A Psychological Perspective
All of our therapists and nurses have received training in assisting the LGBTQIA+ populations. We are actively involved in continue training to make sure the services we provide are LGBTQIA + affirming.
A large portion of the clients we see are exploring the coming out process or needed a safe place to talk about their gender and/or sexual identity. We welcome these populations and have improved our intake forms to include preferred pronouns, Gender and Sexual identity.
Click here to learn more about our services at the Student Health Center
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to connect our students and their families with some of the local mental health resources available in our community.