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Effective Date: April 1, 2009

Approval Date: ____________ 5

faster. The application has been revised and simplified, so that information regarding all potentially eligible children will be easier for parents to include on the application. The new application design was field tested in 2003 and proved successful. Resource and asset tests are no longer components of expansion programs involving children.

The application process now allows self-declaration of income in eight school districts of the State, of which at least two each are in the northern, central and southern areas of the State, respectively, and at least four of which are in the so- called “Abbott” (i.e., lower income) school districts.

“NJ Helps” is a social service computer network used by several state agencies. Technology allows screening for several programs, including Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare, to take place which results in a determination of potential eligibility.

Back to School Fairs: NJ FamilyCare participates with the Covering Kids and Families grantees in annual back-to-school campaigns around the state, where NJ FamilyCare giveaways (pens, pencils, lanyards, rulers) and program materials are distributed. These items are also provided to local health departments around the state, where uninsured children go for their immunizations before they start school.

Health Assemblies: NJ FamilyCare provided health assemblies for grades K-6. The assemblies are targeted to schools in areas representing the potential Plan D population (200-350% FPL), whose percentage of enrollment is much less than that of lower income groups. The “Caring Coach” Robot, the official NJ FamilyCare mascot, represented NJ FamilyCare and did an exciting job of promoting healthy habits and utilization of health services. Following his 45- minute presentation, each child is given a colorful activity book to take home. Information about NJ FamilyCare is included in this booklet.

School Athletics Programs: The NJ FamilyCare Sports Brochure is mailed to Athletic Directors to help get uninsured children in school athletic programs covered so the children can participate on the school teams. The athletic directors were given lanyards (for their whistles) with the NJ FamilyCare name and phone number printed on them, so they have the number handy for referrals. The Commissioner of Education’s office encourages the Athletic Directors to help get the uninsured athletes enrolled in NJ FamilyCare. The state provides Athletic Directors with a Sports Brochure which they can send home to parents of athletes, along with letters encouraging applications to NJ FamilyCare.

School Newspaper Essay Contest for Teens: Despite the steady growth of enrollment in NJ FamilyCare, one pocket of our target audience that has been more difficult to reach is the teen population. Using information provided by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through Health Systems Research, Inc., which showed that many teens have very little understanding of