School-based outreach initiative: Part II family role

Part II: Health insurance for all children: The role of the family.

Conditions that characterize a strong family, able to promote its health and that of its individuals include; communication, encouragement of individuals, commitment to family, religious orientation, social connectedness, ability to adapt, expressing appreciation, clear roles, and time together. These characteristics enable families to act individually or together increasing control over their health and setting priorities to improve health.

But, not all families are able to meet these conditions. Many families struggle with homelessness, hunger, and illness. Having and maintaining health insurance becomes an almost insurmountable task. Also consider, the many health practices, including dietary habits, activity levels, routine wellness practices and beliefs about illness that attribute to both paternal and maternal values learned through generational customs and traditions. These family beliefs are most often handed from generation to generation and influence much of the children's development of health practices

The dilemma for Medicaid is identifying these children and families to assess their needs and assist them to enroll in state funded health insurance or other health insurance options and enrolling in a medical home. Outreach programs through the partnership that exists between the Public School Systems and the School Health Departments can be responsible for the health and well being of children though elementary, middle and high school programs.