The KidCare Peer Match program, administered by The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, links community sites, who have had success with a particular issue related to outreach, to share their experiences and procedures with child health insurance program (CHIP) outreach coordinators that need help. The program has addressed such needs as data management and school district involvement in identifying children eligible for Florida KidCare. An unexpected outcome of this program has been the discovery that needs identified at a local level are generally widespread. The peer match between two communities on data management resulted in a statewide data management seminar for all interested KidCare Coordinators and attracted 40 participants statewide. The peer match on school district involvement evolved into a statewide task force devoted to identifying factors and strategies necessary to enhance the participation of school districts in the identification of eligible children and distribution of KidCare applications. So many participants remarked on a survey conducted with outreach coordinators about difficulties with school districts that a study of the situation was warranted. While some school districts are very cooperative and proactive about carrying out KidCare outreach, others did not see outreach as their priority. There were also frequent conflicts in understanding at the local level what the rules and guidelines were. The outreach workers perceive that direction from the top is needed; district superintendents and school boards, for example need to understand the mission and value of KidCare outreach.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to: 1. Recognize opportunities to enhance small programs into statewide initiative.
Keywords: Peer Information Network, Community Outreach
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies
The Florida Department of Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment