Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Power

Election Day is just around the corner! Your vote is your voice and your voice is your power! Find a Drop Box or Vote Center near you and submit your vote before 8 PM on Tuesday, November 5.

KQED Voter Guide - kqed.org/voterguide

Drop Box Locations - countyofnapa.org/2355/Drop-Box-Locations

Vote Center Locations - countyofnapa.org/2354/Vote-Center-Locations

UpValley Family Centers is a member of the Community Leaders Coalition and Voters Choice Napa, which aims to increase the participation of underrepresented voters (young adults, language minorities, and people with disabilities).

Medical Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for medical coverage is from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31 and our staff are trained to assist with applications!

Kaiser Permanente’s Community Health Care Program is for Californians without access to any other health coverage. Individuals do not need to be U.S. citizens to qualify. The deadline to apply for CHCP is January 31, 2025, and space is limited.

Medi-Cal and Covered California use the same application. The program provides a variety of health services for low-income families, undocumented individuals, older adults, blind or disabled individuals, pregnant women, and children who have limited income and/or resources.

Eligibility depends on different variables, but UpValley Family Centers is here to help you through the application process. Walk-ins are welcome in our St. Helena and Calistoga Offices. For more information or to get assistance call our office at 707-965-5010.

Our Board of Directors

We are honored to have a dedicated Board of Directors to help guide our decisions as an organization and support our work. This group of volunteers is essential to our work in the community and they wholeheartedly believe in what we do. We recently welcomed two new board members, Doug Marriott and Sylvia Taplin.

Dr. Douglas Marriott is the Senior Dean of Career Education & Workforce Development at Napa Valley College. His career in education began as a Community Education Promoter in the Peace Corps serving in the Dominican Republic. He lives in Angwin with his wife and daughter. He is grateful to help advance the work of the UpValley Family Centers by serving on its board. 

Sylvia Taplin is a physician, specializing in Epidemiology and Health Policy. She spent 20 years working in Global Health based in Washington DC and working in Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Her professional interests include evaluating health programs for underserved populations provided through primary care and community-based organizations. She now lives in St. Helena and works with her family at Taplin Vineyards, and is pleased to share her expertise with UpValley Family Centers.

Holiday Assistance Program

We are accepting applications for our Holiday Assistance Program for families that need assistance this holiday season with food and gifts.

The deadline to apply is November 30!

To register, please visit one of our offices:
Calistoga Office: 1500 Cedar St., Calistoga, CA
St. Helena Office: 1440 Spring St., St. Helena, CA
Monday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday- Friday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

Documents needed when applying include:

• a valid government-issued photo identification for all adults
• school ID, immunization record, or birth certificate for minors 
• proof of residency

Please call us at (707) 965-5010 if you have any questions. 

Sip & Shop at elysewalker

Please join us for a shopping event benefitting UpValley Family Centers, hosted by Kristen Georges and featuring Acme Fine Wines on Friday, November 8 from 4-6PM at elysewalker in St. Helena (1381 Main Street). 10% of sales will be donated to UpValley Family Centers. Please RSVP to corbin@elysewalker.com. 

Calistoga Community Conversation

Join us for the 6th annual Calistoga Community Conversation, hosted by UpValley Family Centers, CJUSD, and the City of Calistoga, on Thursday, November 7th, from 5-7 pm at Calistoga Junior Senior High School. Calistoga community members are invited to this bilingual town hall-style event that includes a free dinner and an opportunity to share your vision for Calistoga. This year, the conversation will focus on healthcare access, youth recreation, and pedestrian safety in Calistoga. Childcare will be available for potty-trained children over two years old. For more information, please contact Daniel Norton Luna, Community Schools Program Coordinator, at dnortonluna@upvalleyfamilycenters.org or (707) 709-7099.

Financial Wellness Day

Join UpValley Family Centers and Redwood Credit Union for Financial Wellness Day on Wednesday, November 20 from 5-7PM in the Parlor Room at First Presbyterian Church of St. Helena (1428 Spring Street). Learn the importance of renter’s insurance and how to prepare for unexpected emergencies.The first 20 individuals who purchase renter’s insurance will be eligible for a financial incentive! This is a bilingual event. open to the public. Registration is not required, but recommended. For more information please contact Karen Garcia, Economic Success Program Coordinator at 707-965-5010, ext. 311 or kgarcia@upvalleyfamilycenters.org.

Are you prepared?

An alarming new study has shown that 58% of Californians lack a disaster kit, and 69% do not have any disaster plans. Evacuating from your home early can mean the difference of life and death. When a wildfire or other disaster strikes, be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Having a 5-minute plan with an escape route can get you and your family out and safe. If you need additional time to evacuate or have livestock, you should pack up and leave when the warning is issued and not wait for an evacuation order.

1. Have an established meeting place
2. Pack an emergency kit with essentials like medicine, important documents, clothes, food, and water. 
3. Watch for weather reports and Red Flag Warnings.
4. If you need to go, get your emergency bags packed and gather your family and pets. 
5. Most important, don’t wait or hesitate – know when to go.

Visit firefightersonyourside.org for more information on creating a 5-minute plan and being prepared for disaster.