Brilliant Baby

The Brilliant Baby program supports children’s early healthy development and school-readiness by setting up college savings accounts for babies, offering financial coaching to parents and caregivers, and building a supportive community with the whole family.

Is my baby eligible? Check My Child's College Savings Account

Our goal is to help you put your child on the path to success in school and life

College Savings Account for Baby
Connection to Resources
Individual Financial Coaching
Educational Workshops
Financial Coaching Stipends
Leadership Development
Community Building

Is My Baby Eligible for Brilliant Baby?

Baby’s Age

Your baby is between 0 and 12 months old.

Location

Your baby currently lives in Oakland and was born in Alameda County.

Income Eligible

Your household meets income eligibility for Medi-Cal, WIC, SNAP or TANF.

Check Medi-Cal Eligibility

If you meet ALL of these eligibility requirements, please Click one of the buttons below to continue:

For Brilliant Baby Enrollment Partners

Go to Enrollment Portal

Brilliant Baby College Savings Account

Each child enrolled in Brilliant Baby receives a 529 College Savings Account seeded with $500. These college savings accounts are held at my529, one of the top college savings companies in the country. This money will grow over time and be a resource to help pay for the child’s post-secondary school expenses.

View My Child’s College Account Learn More

Brilliant Baby Financial Coaching & Education

Brilliant Baby Financial Coaching and Community Connections workshops help parents and caregivers pursue their hopes and dreams for their family. Participants can earn up to $500 toward their goals.

Financial Coaching Program Stipend Policy

Our Impact by the Numbers

805 babies

Have a College Savings Account seeded with $500

78% of families

Participate in Financial Coaching

93% of BB parents

Believe their child is college-bound

87% of children

Are preparing to be first-generation college graduates

85% of parents

Say BB has positively influenced the way they think about their child’s future.

$480,000

Collectively invested for post-secondary education

Brilliant Baby Community

Brilliant Baby offers a supportive community of families who share common experiences and aspirations for their children. Brilliant Baby families come together to share resources, make new friends, and learn new ways to strengthen our families.

We organize an annual Brilliant Baby Family Day, and engage a Family Leadership Group to provide input to the program and develop leadership skills.

Learn More

Brilliant Baby Newsletters

Families that sign up for Brilliant Baby receive monthly e-newsletters with program highlights, registration links for events, and tips on parenting, educational and financial topics.

View Newsletter

Meet the Brilliant Baby Team

Amanda Feinstein

Director, Brilliant Baby

Dulce Torres-Petty

Senior Manager, Brilliant Baby

Diego Pinto

Senior Manager, Brilliant Baby Financial Coaching

Leah Davis

Senior Financial Coach, Brilliant Baby

Alexsys Hornsby

Operations & Outreach Coordinator, Brilliant Baby

Saundra Davis

Financial Consultant, Brilliant Baby

rita zhang

Financial Coach, Brilliant Baby

Sadie Williams

Financial Coach Brilliant Baby

Teresa Garza

Financial Coach, Brilliant Baby

Diana Gamino

Financial Coach, Brilliant Baby

Vivian Padua

Financial Coach, Brilliant Baby

Resources

View all resources

Brilliant Baby Parent Handbook (Arabic): Describes each component of the Brilliant Baby program.

View

Article on how Brilliant Baby program helps children and parents during the pandemic

View

FindHelp.org: Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs

View

4Cs of Alameda County: Childcare enrollment, referral

View

2-1-1 Alameda County: Information and Referral for a broad range of needs and resources

View

Help Me Grow: Information and Referral to early childhood development services

View

Healthy Food Resources in Alameda County

View

Brilliant Baby Partners

Brilliant Baby partners with early childhood programs, pediatric clinics, and other social service providers that bring critical resources to families with new babies and toddlers.