Out and In: Engaging Schools in Outreach to Insure All Children

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) was awarded a Cycle II grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enroll eligible children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

There are currently eight million uninsured children in the United States. AASA along with the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) are working with eight districts in four states which include:

• El Monte Union High School District and Mt. View School District in California
• Clarke County Public Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia
• Jefferson Parish Public Schools and Orleans Parish School Board in Louisiana
• Clarksdale Municipal School District and Cleveland School District in Mississippi

AASA and CDF are also working with:

• The Recovery School District in New Orleans, LA with a grant from United Healthcare

The goals of the project:

• To increase school district capacity to systemically incorporate child health outreach and insurance enrollment into routine school district operations.
• To identify uninsured children in your district and link eligible students with CHIP and Medicaid during the 2012-13 school year and beyond.

March is Medicaid Matters for Kids Month

The Children’s Hospital Association has declared March “Medicaid Matters for Kids Month.” Over the course of 31 days, the Association will profile stories of children on Medicaid and facts related to the program via social media channels. Our goal is to create more buzz around Medicaid as a vital child health program worth protecting. As Congressional leaders put forward budget proposals at the end of March and in April, we want them fully aware that arbitrary cuts to Medicaid can harm children’s health care, and there are better ways to reform Medicaid.

The messengers for Medicaid Matters for Kids Month include Speak Now for Kids advocates, our patient families in children’s hospitals, and allied child health organizations we work closely with in Washington. The Association invites you to partner with us to further extend Medicaid messages via traditional media outreach and social media. A toolkit has been created for this purpose, and we hope your organization considers engaging in this effort. The more voices we can raise for children’s Medicaid, the better!

Medicaid Matters for Kids Month, the Medicaid Matters briefing series on Capitol Hill, advertising, direct lobbying, our respective advocacy/lobby days, social media including video testimonials, and news media stories all work together to connect Medicaid to children in the minds of legislators. Please partner with us through Medicaid Matters for Kids Month to keep Medicaid strong for kids. Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter. 

(Twitter: #Medicaid4kids)

Connecting Kids to Coverage: 

Karen Samara, AASA Project Manager

In November 2011, the 2^nd National Children’s Health Insurance Summit was held in Chicago, IL. Grantees from across America came together to participate in a wide variety of workshops and training sessions to enhance our knowledge and improve our skills. For more information.

 

Site Visits:

From December 2011– February 2012, AASA and CDF staff visited each district to meet with school staff and administrators to develop action plans and strategies to achieve our goals.

Community of Practice:

Donna Cohen Ross,  Senior Policy Advisor

In March 25-27, 2012, all districts were brought together for a Community of Practice at the Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, TN. Donna Cohen Ross, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Center Director, Centers for Medicare and Chip Services (CMCS) was the keynote speaker. Everyone left with new ideas and a renewed sense that leaders will enroll eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP.

 

 

 

RESOURCES:

• www.insurekidsnow.gov
• What are parents’ awareness levels, knowledge and efforts to enroll their children in health insurance?
• To learn about Medicaid and CHIP in your state.
• 1.2 million children have gained access to insurance.

Staff Contact:

Karen Samara
703-875-0739
ksamara@aasa.org