INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO.  1

POLICY CODE:  JLA

 

 

TO:                  Superintendents of Schools and School Principals

 

FROM:             J. Duke Albanese, Commissioner

 

DATE:             July 16, 2002

 

SUBJECT:        Maine’s Child Health Insurance Outreach – Year 5

 

            As you well know, a healthy child is a better learner.  Over the past four 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, Department of Human Services Commissioner Kevin Concannon and I are asking your continued cooperation in helping to meet the challenge of distributing applications for low-cost or free health care coverage to Maine families.

 

            On or before August 1, 2002, a shipment of brochures will be mailed to you in sufficient quantity to send home with all students in your district.  We will:

 

• Provide labeling on the outside of the shipment to let you know the brochures are inside;
• Provide 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 includes 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 Rebecca Minton at our Department, 207-624-6689, if you have questions); and
• Include a check-off box on the State’s free and reduced lunch application form for families wanting more information about health insurance coverage for their children.

 

I realize this will be 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 copies 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.  Commisssioner Concannon and I both Thank You and your staff for meeting this challenge.