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Why do we have application processes for children? Shouldn't we be pushing primary prevention into as many places as possible for children? And I apologize for the alliteration.

Hi there! If it is possible, let's have a topic about baby and children dental care.

We have posted a few blogs on dental care that can be found here: http://theccfblog.org/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&tag=Dental&limit=20

But keep your eyes peeled for future dental blogs

We were delighted to see the posting by Donna Cohen Ross, offering kudos to those very special people we call “Outreach Workers!” Like Greg Secrest, the parent of an uninsured child who was helped by a Project Connect Outreach Worker, we, too, would give Ann Walker a medal! And, we’d give one to all of her Project Connect peers around Virginia who have worked so hard to enroll more than 50,000 children in Medicaid and CHIP (called the “FAMIS Programs” in Virginia) over the years. The Virginia Health Care Foundation launched Project Connect with private funding in 1999. The Foundation awarded over $1 million to 12 organizations for 18-month grants (January 2000 – June 2001) to establish community programs that help families enroll their children. These programs targeted 47 localities and enrolled over 5,508 uninsured children from January 2000 through June 2001.

The success of these projects did not go unnoticed. In addition to enrolling children in health insurance, project staff provided significant added value to the field. They were seen as the “eyes and ears” for the state’s Medicaid agency (DMAS), Social Services, and the Department of Education, as well as private sector partners. As Virginia was beginning to make significant changes to its health insurance programs for children, Project Connect outreach workers:

· Identified and helped to resolve issues in working with school systems, health care providers, local social service agencies, managed care organizations, and the FAMIS central processing unit;

· Provided feedback to improve operations, programs, and policies;

· Collaborated with DMAS and other key state agencies on important outreach and promotional events throughout the year;

· Advocated for policy and program changes at the state level;

· Established best practices locally; and

· Served as change agents with schools and other community organizations to help incorporate enrollment and retention assistance into their routine activities.

In recognition of this value to the state, the Department of Medical Assistance Services began funding Project Connect at the end of 2001. In addition, VHCF has received funding from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation and the Danville Regional Foundation to expand Project Connect. Most recently, VHCF received a CHIPRA Outreach and Enrollment Grant, allowing us to fund an additional 10 outreach workers around the state. Now, 24 outreach workers in localities with high numbers of eligible uninsured children are doing what Ann does, “sticking their toes in” wherever they need to in order to find and enroll those children. They work closely with the schools, medical providers, child care providers, faith-based organizations and businesses to identify uninsured children then work directly with families to help enroll their children in Virginia’s FAMIS Programs.

As Virginia weathers this economic storm (and record-breaking snow-storms), we still have more than 100,000 uninsured children in Virginia who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. Outreach workers, now more than ever, are energized to find them and get them enrolled! They have accepted Secretary Sebelius’ challenge to enroll the remaining uninsured, eligible children. But, as Donna noted, they can’t do it alone. We must continue to work to make the application process simpler, eliminate remaining barriers, and coordinate systems. And, keep giving “medals” and support to these amazing angels we call “outreach workers!”