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Arkansas Finish Line Coalition. Our three-part plan to cover every child. ARKids First New Annual income limits*. Children age 19 and younger. Add $9,350 for each additional child. *Note: new income eligibility of 250 FPL pending federal approval, no earlier than July 1.
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Arkansas Finish Line Coalition Our three-part plan to cover every child
ARKids First New Annual income limits* Children age 19 and younger Add $9,350 for each additional child *Note: new income eligibility of 250 FPL pending federal approval, no earlier than July 1
Enrolling Eligible Children is Critical to Success • Three out of four uninsured children in Arkansas are likely eligible for ARKids First. • Community partners, especially schools, will be critical to ensuring children get enrolled and stay enrolled. • We often lose children not in enrollment, but re-enrollment!
Arkansas Finish Line CoalitionGoal one: Enroll children who qualify • An online screening and enrollment tool with basic questions – currently English Only • Automatically screens for eligibility for 13 DHS programs or services. • Available any time with an Internet connection. • Offers online enrollment for ARKids First and Food Stamps, more programs to be added. • Future plans to also have call centers so applicants can apply in many ways. • Online at www.arkansas.gov/dhs or www.arkids.com ACCESS Arkansas
How Can Schools Help? • Work with uninsured children and their families – get the word out! • Kindergarten round up, back-to-school fairs • Enrollment or re-enrollment “assistors” – school nurses, social workers, human service workers • Partner with local DHS office and other local groups that serve children and families
How Can Schools Help? • Use wellness committees to find new ways to reach and enroll eligible children • Make reducing uninsured children a goal of ACSIP wellness or Coordinated School Health planning • Find local leaders to serve as spokespersons • Coaches often good spokespeople– children can’t play sports without insurance! • Other ways you reach uninsured kids?
Arkansas Finish Line Outreach Sites • Resource to schools around ARKids enrollment • Conduct presentations to groups and community-based organizations around ARKids First and its benefits • Seven sites around the state: El Dorado, Helena-West Helena, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mena, Russellville, Springdale • Back to school enrollment push – We need your help!
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) NOT SCHIP! Also a federal push to make it easier to reach uninsured kids. Signed into law February 4, 2009 • New Funding Commitment • Reaching eligible but uninsured • New Coverage Options • Improving Care Children Receive
Feedback • What are the major local barriers to getting kids enrolled? • New strategies at the school or community level? • Necessary changes at the state level?
Arkansas Finish Line Coalition For more information: Kara Wilkins Health Outreach Coordinator Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families 1400 W. Markham, Suite 306 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 371-9678 Ext. 113 kwilkins@aradvocates.org