COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 144

September 12, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan)

At the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year school divisions were asked by the Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), to ensure that FAMIS information was integrated with the National School Lunch Programs and that enrollment information was available in each Virginia public school. Informational Superintendents Memo #97, dated July 19, 2003, describes the details of that request.

The school divisions and community organizations efforts were successful. A recent national survey by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation singles out Virginia for making a marked positive effect on childrens enrollment in health insurance. The growth in childrens enrollment increased from 1,500 children a month in June 2002 to 4,100 a month in June 2003. Thank you for your participation in this important venture.

The Department of Education is requesting that your participation in this activity will continue during the 2003-2004 school year. The attached table presents the recommended activities and the anticipated dates.

We ask that the school divisions school nurse coordinator/contact person serve as the contact person for the school-level child health insurance outreach and coordination.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services will send informational materials about the Child Health Insurance Programs to schools for local outreach efforts. Additionally, community-based outreach organizations may contact school divisions directly to develop partnerships in this effort.

Please use these materials to share information with parents regarding the availability of low-cost health insurance through FAMIS or the availability of health services through Medicaid. We are asking schools to provide information to parents through a variety of mechanisms (e.g., school nutrition program letters or report cards).

Thank you again for your assistance in this very important initiative to improve the health of Virginias children. If you have any questions please contact Gwen P. Smith school health specialist, at (804) 786-8671 or gsmith@mail.vak12ed.edu.

JLD/gps

Attachment:

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2003/inf144a.pdf