New Federal Grants to Help Insure More Children

« Back

Jul 7th, 2009

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Availability of $40 Million in Grants to Help Insure More Children

 

Federal Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the availability of up to $40 million in grants to help reach families whose children qualify but are not yet enrolled in state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP). 
 
In a policy brief related last year, Kentucky Voices for Health determined that more than 62,000 Kentucky Children fall into this category -- two-thirds of all uninsured children in the state.

 

“We know there are millions of children who are eligible for coverage but don’t utilize their state health care programs,” said Secretary Sebelius.  “These grants will help community organizations, tribal organizations, as well as states and local governments reach out to children and families to ensure more children get the health care they need and deserve.”

 

The funds are part of the new Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) which provides a total of $100 million for outreach campaigns aimed at reducing the number of low-income, uninsured children.  The grants to states and organizations will ultimately total $80 million with the remaining funds going to other outreach efforts specified by the law.

 

Applications for the new grants can be found here. To apply for the new funding, applicants must be:

 

·       A state;

·       A local government;

·       An Indian tribe or tribal consortium or other tribal organization;

·       A federal health safety net organization;

·       A national, state, local, or community-based public or nonprofit private organization, including those that use community health workers;

·       A certified faith-based organization or consortium;

·       An elementary or secondary school; or

·       A consortium composed of two or more of these entities.

 

Applications are due by August 6, 2009 (if submitted electronically) and August 10, 2009 (if submitted by mail). Grants will be awarded by Sept. 30, 2009. 

 

« Back