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Effective Date: April 1, 2009

Approval Date: ____________ 6

the concept of health insurance, and often lack the knowledge to seek preventative health services, the state developed a NJ FamilyCare journalism contest. High school newspapers were invited to submit articles informing their fellow students about the problems related to having no health insurance and the availability of state-sponsored health insurance for those who qualify, as well as addressing the long-term benefits of preventative care and living a healthful life. Many instructive articles were submitted from school newspapers around the state, and three winners were chosen from among the participants. Each winner received a laptop computer, and the schools they represented received a desktop computer for the school paper.

School Nurses: A NJ FamilyCare “tool kit” was mailed to all school nurses to help them spread the word about the program. The tool kit includes letter templates for the nurses’ use in communicating with parents, program materials, premium items and other items.

Free and Reduced School Lunch Program: The Free and Reduced School Lunch application is used to inform families about NJ FamilyCare. Uninsured families are directed to the NJ FamilyCare website and toll-free number for information about the program. The Commissioner of Education annually supports the NJ FamilyCare efforts to reach uninsured children by writing a letter to superintendents and principals asking them to duplicate the NJ FamilyCare fact sheet and distribute it to all students, and to identify and help enroll the uninsured children in their school. The New Jersey Department of Education also has NJ FamilyCare information on their website. An Express Enrollment for Children’s Health Care Coverage pilot program was developed for the 2004-2005 school year. 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.

Teachers Annual Education Association Convention: NJ FamilyCare staff attend the two-day NJ Education Association (NJEA) convention in Atlantic City, where they distribute promotional and educational materials about NJ FamilyCare and speak to thousands of teachers and school nurses, keeping them informed of the latest issues regarding the program.

American Indian/Alaska Native Outreach: Although New Jersey does not have any federally recognized tribes living in the state, the Office of NJ FamilyCare has contacted the education coordinator of the Powhatan-Lenape Nation, which provides services to other tribes in New Jersey. Information regarding NJ FamilyCare was sent and an offer was extended to speak at one of their meetings. Further contact will be made with the Indian Health Service to facilitate communication.

Multilingual Materials: Informational materials on NJ FamilyCare are now