Recorded presentation

Shelby T. Gonzales, BA and Thomas W. McQueen, BS. Partnership for Healthier Kids, Inova Health System, 8003 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151, 703-321-1977, shelby.gonzales@inova.com

Partnership for Healthier Kids (PHK), lead by Inova Health System and community partners, is designed to measurably improve the health of children in Northern Virginia by implementing two school-based programs, an Access to Care program and a Prevention program. The Access to Care program strives to connect uninsured children to a to health care services including Medicaid and SCHIP. The Prevention program works with school systems and community organizations to monitor pediatric health needs and implement Prevention programs to address needs in a proactive and collaborative manner.

Since PHK piloted in three schools in 1997, program success has supported expansion to 194 schools. Program accomplishments have additionally lead PHK to become recognized nationally and locally as a model for connecting children to health care and prevention services. PHK has linked over 14,500 previously uninsured children to a source of ongoing healthcare and reached over 34,500 children, parents, and educators through preventive activities.

In 2002, PHK began collecting data regarding access and utilization of children post enrollment into health care programs for the uninsured. A survey instrument designed by Community Health Solutions Inc., was used to capture baseline data gathered at intake interviews with families. Six months post enrollment, families are contacted and a modified instrument is used to document changes in utilization patterns. This initiative is scheduled to be completed by June 2004; results will be used to identify gaps in the health care delivery system for the uninsured and to mobilize community and State efforts towards bridging these barriers.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and mobilize key public and private community stakeholders concerned with access to health care for uninsured children.
• Develop a streamline approach to connect uninsured children to public and private programs for the uninsured.
• Assess the utilization patterns and barriers of children post-enrollment into healthcare programs for the uninsured.
• Develop a strategy to address gaps in the health care delivery system for uninsured children.

Keywords: Access to Care, Child Health

Related Web page: www.inova.org/inovapublic.srt/phk/index.jsp

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.

Recorded presentation