INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO.  6

POLICY CODE:  JLA

 

 

TO:               Superintendents of Schools, and School Principals

 

FROM:          J. Duke Albanese, Commissioner

 

DATE:          July 28, 2000

 

SUBJECT:    Maine’s Child Health Insurance Outreach -- Year 3

 

 

As you well know, a healthy child is a better learner.  Over the past two years Maine’s expansion of health insurance coverage for children has been a success. Thousands of children have received both medical and dental coverage in part because of your efforts as Maine school systems. Thank you!

 

The challenge continues to be reaching the thousands of children still not covered.  Once again this year we are asking for your support to help in getting information out to families.

 

This year, the program expands the limits for Medicaid coverage of children to also cover their parents who may also need medical coverage. This program may benefit families of people you have working in your system as part time employees such as kitchen staff, and bus drivers.

 

Once again I am asking your cooperation in helping to meet the challenge of distributing applications for no-cost / low-cost Child Health Insurance coverage to Maine families.

 

On or before August 4^th, a shipment of brochures in sufficient quantity to send home with all students in your district will be mailed. We will:

 

·         Provide better labeling on the outside of the shipment to let you know the brochures are inside;

·         Provided for the mailings directly to individual schools, including an amount 10% over your last year’s enrollment (this saves you doing the counting for school buildings and extras so you won’t run short);

·         Include an order form and phone # for acquiring additional copies in English or a variety of other languages (please contact Arin Tracy at our department 207-287-2287 if you have questions);

·         Expand this notification through other avenues to Maine children and their families;

·         Include a check-off box on the state school free and reduced lunch application form for families wanting more information about health insurance coverage for their children;

·         Hold a press conference with the governor sometime at the end of August to promote the benefits of the health insurance and free and reduced lunch programs for children, families and our schools.

 

I realize this is a very busy time of year for you and your staff. I sincerely hope you will once again work together with us to distribute these important materials to families with other materials you send home to start the school year. Please also place a copy of the brochure in places around your district where family members who visit your schools will see them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The contributions of educators and health providers help to safeguard our children’s present well- being and prepare them for productive, responsible, and fulfilling futures. Your efforts make a difference. Kevin Concannon, Commissioner of Human Services and I both Thank You and your staff for meeting this challenge.

 

 

 

 

CC:  Public and Private School Building Administrators