Adding up the costs that go with having a baby can be intimidating. But what if you could reduce those pregnancy expenses? What if you could launch into parenting already equipped with both the supplies and know-how you need—at no cost to you?
That’s where Baby Bucks come to your rescue.
What are Baby Bucks?
Glad you asked.
Baby Bucks are a cash substitute you can use to get the supplies you need before and after a baby arrives, up through your child’s first year or more. Using Baby Bucks, you can shop in the Baby Buck Boutique at Choices Pregnancy Center without spending a dime of your own money.
Our boutique is stocked with brand new items you will need for your baby. We carry baby clothes and supplies, diapers and wipes, toys, and big-ticket equipment (like strollers, highchairs, and cribs), as well as things moms need, like maternity clothes.
How Do I Get Baby Bucks?
You can earn Baby Bucks in two different ways. Begin by signing up for our Earn While You Learn Program. Then you can also earn Bucks by doing positive parenting activities in your community. Put together, all those Baby Bucks will get you the baby supplies you need to reduce the cost of pregnancy.
Earn Baby Bucks at Choices Pregnancy Center:
Earn While You Learn (EWYL) is a program for moms and/or dads that helps them prepare for confident parenting.
When you sign up, you’ll receive your first baby buck. (You can get a second one just for mentioning that you read this blog post!) Then you can schedule individual meetings with a client advocate skilled at helping you find answers to your questions, connecting you with additional resources, and building your confidence in parenting.
As part of the Earn While You Learn program, you’ll receive:
- Personal attention from your Choices client advocate who will listen to your concerns and questions, then help you decide what you most want to learn
- Streaming video-based lessons, selected just for you based on your interests and unique needs
- One-on-one mentoring in the areas that interest you, ranging from pregnancy and childbirth to parenting and adoption or managing your money and relationships
- Classes for Dad, too! (Earn double the Baby Bucks whenever both parents attend lessons.)
- The opportunity to take our Safe Sleep course, which earns you a Pack ‘n’ Play (provided by Cradle of Hope)
You will earn another Baby Buck each time you meet with your advocate or complete an Earn While You Learn lesson. You can choose to keep saving those Bucks in your account at Choices, or you can shop in the Boutique right away.
Learn more about the Earn While You Learn program by clicking here to download our brochure.
In the Community:
Another way to earn Baby Bucks is by doing things outside Choices’ walls that good parents do. All it takes is having the person in charge of your class or appointment sign a Baby Buck Rewards Request. Your advocate will give you a complete list of community partners you can work with on this.
There are dozens of qualifying community activities you can do, including:
- Keeping appointments with Nurse-Family Partnership, your doctor, social worker, mental health care provider, and many more
- Attending Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Parenting Circle, support groups, or church services and Bible studies
- Getting help from WoMen’s Rural Advocacy (WRAP), New Horizons, WIC, Jobs Club, etc.
- Showing up to meet with your probation officer
- Finishing your GED or taking First Aid/CPR classes
- Going to postpartum and well baby check-ups
All of these thing can help you move toward excellent parenting. We think you deserve some extra credit—in the form of Baby Bucks—for doing them.
Get Started Earning Today!
Earning Baby Bucks can start right now. Reach out to get signed up today. And don't forget: you'll get one Baby Buck for signing up and another for mentioning you read this blog post. You'll be surprised how much those first two bucks can buy!