ADVANCED ON PURPOSEAn educational blog with purposeful content. We welcome open and polite dialogue, and expect any comments you leave to be respectful. Thanks! Archives
May 2026
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 Nationwide, May 29 is 529 Day to remind families and friends that it has never been easier to help save for a child’s future. By contributing to a 529 savings plan, you help prepare a child for whatever path they choose. Whether your child is interested in an apprenticeship, a certification, an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or a graduate degree, your family can leverage local and state programs to cover the costs. “Having as little as $500 in a college savings account makes [children] significantly more likely to attend college and graduate," said Libby Schaaf, President & CEO of the Bay Area Council and former Mayor of Oakland in her report "Advancing CalKIDS: Findings & recommendations for the nation's largest college savings account program. "Additionally, research shows that having these accounts creates higher levels of hope, educational expectations, a child’s college-bound identity, social-emotional development, early math and reading scores, better school attendance, and improved parental well-being.” Mark your calendar for May 29 and take advantage of child savings accounts programs available to Californians! Having as little as $500 in a college savings account makes [children] significantly more likely to attend college and graduate. ScholarShare 529 California’s college savings plan is called ScholarShare 529. From May 20 through May 31, 2026, college savers will receive a $50 bonus when they open a ScholarShare 529 account for a new beneficiary using promo code 529Day26, make an initial deposit of at least $50 and set up recurring contributions of $50 per month for six consecutive months. More information, including complete terms and conditions, can be found at ScholarShare529.com/529Day2026.  CalKIDS If you have a newborn born in CA on or after July 1, 2022, or a low-income* public school student enrolled in grades 1-12 during the 2021-2022 academic year and every school year thereafter, you may be eligible for the state’s free child savings account, CalKIDS. You can also link your CalKIDS account with a new or existing ScholarShare 529 account to watch your college savings grow in one place. Check your eligibility and claim your account at CalKIDS.org. *Eligibility determined by Local Control Funding Formula
HOPE The HOPE for Children Trust Account Program provides $3,000 for California youth who spent 18+ months in the foster system or lost a parent or primary caregiver due to COVID. Check your eligibility and claim your account at hopeaccount.ca.gov.  Across California, there are locally-managed child savings account programs available to complement the above state programs! Collectively, 15 community-based CSA programs have disbursed over $30 Million to 200,000 children. Check out the California Child Savings Account (CSA) Coalition which facilitates collaboration and builds capacity among organizations that connect kids to their CalKIDS, HOPE and local Child Savings Accounts. Make a commitment to share at least ONE (1) of the above programs/resources with your families and networks on May 29!
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 While I’m canceling my May 4 Mondays with Mer Office Hour, you can still help me celebrate what I intended to promote - Mental Health Awareness Month! Learn more below and sign up for my next Office Hour on Monday, June 8 from 6-7pm PT at www.advancedconsulting.org/mondays-with-mer.html. Here are three ways to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in May #1 Practice mindful breathing with the family! During the April Office Hour, I shared Week of the Young Child Activities for the whole family. For “Family Friday,” which you can practice any Friday of the year, I recommend a Breathing Buddies activity!  #2 Sign up for Mental Health First Aid training! Sign up to support adults or youth, and learn how to help your community members. Learn how to talk to people of different ages, backgrounds, and industries about mental health and substance use, and how to step in when others need help.  #3 Make the Mental Wellbeing Pledge! Mental wellbeing is a state of thriving. It is the foundation of living a strong, healthy and fulfilling life. We believe mental wellbeing is achievable for everyone — including individuals living with or recovering from a mental health or substance use challenge. Once you sign up, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing will give you the tools you need to turn your pledge into action.  |
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