Press Release - Kids Health Enrollment Fairs
OFFICE OF LT. GOV. BARBARA O'BRIEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2009
CONTACT:
Ellen Dumm, 303 866-6361 (office), 303 829-0194 (cell), ellen.dumm@state.co.us
Sue Williamson, HCPF, 303 866-2618 (office), susan.williamson@state.co.us
LT. GOV. O'BRIEN APPLAUDS FUNDING FOR KIDS HEALTH ENROLLMENT FAIRS
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien today praised the funding of 23 community service providers that will hold enrollment fairs across the state in order to get children qualified for basic health care. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has awarded $115,000 to various community providers to hold enrollment fairs between now and May 31. The purpose of the fairs is to get eligible children enrolled in Medicaid or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). At present, Colorado rolls show 153,000 children that do not have health coverage, with an estimated 78,000 that would be eligible for either Medicaid or CHP+.
"Given the challenges that families face in these difficult economic times, it's important to get as many children as possible under basic health coverage," said Lt. Gov. O'Brien. "Congratulations to these community providers for getting the word out and for coming together for the health of children in Colorado."
Of those receiving grants, United Way of Weld County's "Promises for Children" received funding for two enrollment fairs.
"There are so many families in Weld County who qualify for these kinds of insurance coverage programs, but aren't enrolled," said Sheila Watson, Director of Promises for Children. "The enrollment fairs will increase the number of children enrolled in insurance programs, which means they can receive preventative well-child checks and other needed health services."
HCPF relies on its community partners and stakeholders to assist families in the application process. The enrollment fairs have proven to be an effective and efficient way to enroll eligible children and outreach to families that have recently lost medical coverage. HCPF's goal is to fund as many area fairs as possible throughout the state.
The following service providers will receive mini-grant funds for FY 2008-09:
|
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDER / SERVICE LOCATION |
AWARD |
|
Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council |
$ 5,000 |
|
Asian Pacific Development Center of Colorado, Denver County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Bright Futures, San Miguel, Montrose & Ouray Counties |
$ 5,000 |
|
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County |
$ 5,000 |
|
City and County of Broomfield Health and Human Services |
$ 5,000 |
|
Clear Creek County Public Health |
$ 5,000 |
|
Commerce City Community Health Services, Adams County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Colorado Asian Health Education and Promotion, Denver County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Cradle Community Resource Center, Denver County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Focus Points Family Resource Center, Denver County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Hilltop Health Services Corporation, Mesa County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Huerfano County Hospital District |
$ 5,000 |
|
La Plata Family Centers Coalition, La Plata County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department, Las-Animas County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Mountain Family Health Centers, Inc., Garfield County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Mountain Resource Center, Jefferson County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Moffat County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Plains Medical Center, Inc., Lincoln County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Plan de Salud del Valle, Boulder County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Rural Communities Resource Center - Washington County Connections |
$ 5,000 |
|
The University of Denver Bridge Project, Denver County |
$ 5,000 |
|
United Way of Weld County's Promises for Children's Early Childhood Council |
$ 5,000 |
|
Vestnik - Herald Publishing House, Arapahoe County |
$ 5,000 |
|
Total |
$ 115,000 |