INFORMATIONAL

  Since 1992, forty-six local school divisions have received
  grants from funds appropriated by the General Assembly to
  provide health services to children of school age.  The 1998
  General Assembly appropriated $300,000 for at least six
  additional pilots for the first year of a two-year project,
  and $1,200,000 for the second year.

  The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia
  Department of Medical Assistance Services are jointly
  issuing a request for proposals for the planning and
  implementation of the school/community health services
  projects.  Planning grants of up to $50,000 will be made to
  selected projects.  Planning sites will be eligible to
  receive up to $200,000 in implementation funds.  In order to
  be eligible, a school division must be, or agree to become,
  a Medicaid provider approved by the Department of Medical
  Assistance Services and must participate in the Medicaid
  billing program for special education and health services.

  Grant applications may be obtained  in hard copy or on disk
  from Ms. Barbara Klear, School/Community Health Services
  Grants Specialist.  Ms. Klear may be reached at (757) 441-
  1471 (fax:(757) 441-1073).  Applications must be submitted
  to the Department of Education by October 14, 1998.  The
  final selection process will be completed by December 18,
  1998 with grant awards in January 1998.  If you have any
  questions or need additional information, please call Ms.
  Klear or Gwen Smith, School Nurse Specialist, Special
  Education and Student Services at (804) 786-8671.  


  PDS/hdc