Program targets uninsured children in schools





A new initiative in Burke County Public Schools aims to make sure children have health coverage.

Several local agencies are teaming up with the school system to identify young students without insurance and educate parents about public health programs.

Organizers hope parents will choose to apply for Peach Care or Medicaid, income-based programs that help families of limited means afford healthcare for children up to age 19.

According to the most recent census, conducted in 2000, more than 34 percent of the children in Burke County lived in households whose incomes were at or below the federal poverty level.

“We are very excited about the school being willing to work with us because that is, of course, the most likely place to identify the children,” Enterprise Community Healthy Start director Sandra Pittman said. “We’re hopeful that the families will find a physician and use any of the health services available for children so they will be current on their immunizations and have their regular health exams.”

She added that children who are insured are typically healthier, miss fewer days in school and perform better academically.

According to Burke County Public Schools assistant superintendent Howell Thompson, efforts will first target the system’s 600-700 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students and contact their parents about available programs.

Right from the Start Medicaid and the Department of Family and Children Services are also working on the project.

Brenda Roberts, of Right from the Start Medicaid, said Georgia provides more opportunities than most states for children to receive health coverage and the process is more about educating people on what is available.

A similar program started in Athens-Clarke County cut the number of uninsured students from 25 to around 12 percent in four years.

For more information on the initiative in the school system, call 706-554-5101. For more information on PeachCare and Medicaid, call Roberts at 706- 554-0213.


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