Healthy children = healthy communties - this project is focused on connecting children to chip, children's medicaid and other affordable coverage options in three counties in the RIO grande valley…

Healthy children = healthy communties - this project is focused on connecting children to chip, children's medicaid and other affordable coverage options in three counties in the RIO grande valley of texas (cameron, hidalgo & willacy) and in four primarily rural counties in east texas (cherokee, gregg, rusk & smith) the goals of this project include: - connecting uninsured children and pregnant individuals to affordable health coverage. - reducing health coverage disparities by targeting uninsured pregnant hispanic individuals and children and pregnant individuals and children in rural communities. - partnering with school districts, WIC clinics, libraries, childcare providers, churches, and other community partners to develop a process for identifying uninsured children, reaching out to their parents or caretakers and connecting them to affordable health care options. - providing school and child care staff and administrators with the tools and information needed to understand the various health care and coverage options available to their constituent children and families. - informing community members about affordable health insurance options for children and families through community presentations and targeted public awareness campaigns that may include bilingual radio, television and social media advertising. - working with the national campaign during key times for chip and children's medicaid enrollment (i.e., following marketplace open enrollment periods, back to school). Funds will be used to support community-based outreach workers and an array of strategies to improve enrollment and health outcomes for children and pregnant individuals in targeted communities. Estimated number of uninsured children in target communities: 73,183 combined assistance, enrollment and retention target: 5,485 total federal funding request: $834,705