School-based Outreach:Increasing Children's Participation In State Medicaid Programs

Over 117,000 Oregon children do not have health insurance. This means little or no access to healthcare, dental care, mental healthcare, or the medication prescriptions they may desperately need.

The majority of uninsured children live in low-income households, often with working parents. Barriers to obtaining access are many: language, resident status, multiple domestic issues, transportation and administrative complexities. Maximizing the use of available resources is a lifeline to our uninsured community.

Creating a response of outreach combining the strengths of schools, the county health department, school nurses and private business is an effective way to tear down the obstacles to health care. Using an Outreach Initiative as a project model we will address developing a school-based approach to meet the health insurance and access needs of children. Each part of this presentation will discuss the roles and responsibilities of all entities involved in outreach including state and federal government, schools, healthcare institutions and providers, families, and the community at large. Each plays a very important role in insuring children access to health insurance and health care.

It is a known fact; healthy children learn better, and a better education makes a brighter future. This workshop provides an overview for participants of the stages of development and growth required to maintain a successful collaboration and advocates for quality health policy.