Community groups key in signing up children for SCHIP

Churches, schools and employers are involved in SCHIP enrollment efforts, a new study finds.

By Amy Snow Landa, amednews staff. Nov. 19, 2001.

Washington -- In the past, states have turned mostly to local hospitals, community health centers and physicians for help in enrolling children in their public health insurance programs.

Now many of them also are working with schools, churches, employers and community groups to get the word out to parents that their children may be eligible for subsidized health care through the State Children's Health Insurance Program, according to a new study by the Center for Studying Health System Change, based in Washington, D.C.

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The study reports that these local groups -- which have not traditionally been involved in public health insurance activities -- can play a crucial role in identifying hard-to-reach children and informing parents about public health insurance.

"What we found is that local people know their communities best and can customize SCHIP outreach efforts to enroll eligible children in their communities," said Laurie Felland, lead author of the study, which was based on interviews with state and local leaders, health care advocates and others in 12 communities around the country.

Among the study's findings are that religious organizations are increasingly involved in SCHIP outreach. Indianapolis churches, for example, have received funding from the state SCHIP agency to help their members complete applications for Hoosier Healthwise. Because of recent changes in federal law, states are allowed to contract with faith-based groups if the individuals they target are not required to participate in religious activities.

In New Jersey, the United Methodist Church has begun efforts to raise awareness about the state's Family Care program, which provides coverage to low-income children and adults. Last winter, Methodist volunteers in Princeton, N.J., visited public schools to help sign up children and their families for Family Care. Churches in the Trenton area plan to do outreach among their congregations using materials prepared by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

School-based outreach also has emerged as a leading strategy to enroll children in SCHIP.

"It kind of fits with the mission of a lot of the churches of trying to help and support their families," said Stephen Rice, MD, who chairs the government affairs committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics' New Jersey chapter. "Directing them to be aware that this is available would be a service to parishioners."

The state's Dept. of Human Services, which runs Family Care, is encouraging the churches' outreach efforts but does not provide them any public funds as compensation, according to a department spokeswoman.

The study found that school-based outreach also has emerged as a leading strategy to enroll children in SCHIP. Many schools coordinate their outreach with the federal free-and-reduced school lunch program, and school nurses screen students for health insurance at annual school registrations.

Community groups, such as child care centers, food banks, homeless shelters, children's groups and VISTA volunteers, are also often able to locate some of the most difficult-to-reach children.

Some communities are also targeting outreach to business groups or employers with low-wage workers, such as small businesses and temporary employment agencies. These types of employers, which often do not offer affordable health insurance to their employees or dependents, can play an important role in letting workers know they may be eligible for public insurance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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Article, "Communities Play Key Role in Extending Public Health Insurance to Children," Center for Studying Health System Change, Oct. 31 (http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/377/)