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