DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 181
August 15, 2008
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K.
Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Family
Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS) |
The goal of
outreach for
Since the
2002-2003 school year, the Department of Education has
requested your assistance in providing information to parents about FAMIS.
While the outreach efforts of school divisions and community organizations have
been successful, there is more work to be done. There are approximately 449,000
children currently enrolled, but it is estimated that there are 90,000
uninsured children statewide that could be enrolled in FAMIS or FAMIS Plus
(Children's Medicaid) today.
The
Department of Education is again requesting your participation in outreach to
uninsured students during the 2008-2009 school year.
The attached table presents the recommended activities and the anticipated
dates.
The
Department of Medical Assistance Services has sent informational materials
about the FAMIS program to schools for local outreach efforts. Community-based
outreach organizations may contact school divisions directly to develop partnerships
in this effort. We encourage you to work with them.
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 FAMIS Plus. We are asking schools to provide information to parents
through a variety of mechanisms (e.g., school nutrition program acceptance
letters, kindergarten registration, or report cards).
The school
nurse coordinator/contact person in each school division may continue to serve
as the liaison among the school, the school division, the Department of
Education, and the FAMIS office with regards to this effort.
Thank you
again for your assistance in this very important initiative to improve the
health of
BKCJr/tbc
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