The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49310

Immaculate S. Cantos, MPH, Susan Karlins, MPH, and Sabrina Valade, MPH. Community Outreach Services--Children's Health Initiative, Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System, 2325 Enborg Lane, Suite 220, San Jose, CA 95128

Children's well being, success in school, and ability to reach their full potential relies on their access to health insurance and care. The long term economic and health consequences of uninsured children in Santa Clara County prompted local community groups and policy makers to create the Children's Health Initiative. Using tobacco settlement funds, the Board of Supervisors and community partners created a health insurance program for children in the county. The initiative's goal is "100% of the children residing in Santa Clara County whose parents income fall at or below 300% of the federal poverty level will have access to quality health care as a result of being insured." Valley Children's Health Initiative (Valley CHI) is the county program that provides comprehensive outreach and application assistance services to identify and enroll uninsured children within Santa Clara County into one of three programs: Medicaid, SCHIP, or the county sponsored insurance - Healthy Kids. One objective is to ensure that a trained, multilingual, and culturally sensitive cadre of outreach and application assistance staff are available to assist families who are in need of health insurance for their children. Staff development plays a key role in Valley CHI's ability to reach the goal. A program of comprehensive staff development, internship, ongoing competency training were developed, implemented, and evaluated. Highlights of the presentation include successful aspects of the team approach of management and training and applicability to other programs looking to expand coverage to uninsured children.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to

• List three training processes that benefit the management of outstationed staff a clinical point of service locations,
• Recognize the staff development strategies withing the context of adult learning that promote adherence to policies and protocols.

Keywords: Universal Health Care, Training

Related Web page: www.chikids.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.