COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

 

DATE:

March 21, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 8, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

 

SUBJECT:

Commendations for Implementation and Outreach Efforts by the Health Plan of San Mateo, Human Services Agency, San Mateo Central Labor Council and Health Services Staff members, creating the Children's Health Initiative.

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing commendations for implementation and outreach efforts for the creation of the Children's Health Initiative.

 

Background

Last year, your board approved development of the Children's Health Initiative (CHI), Healthy Kids, to provide universal health coverage for all children 0-18 years old. You further showed your support by providing financial support of up to $2.7 million per year for 5 years to match all funds raised over and above those committed by the First 5 Commission. The CHI Coalition officially began enrollment for the Healthy Kids Program in January 2003.

 

Discussion

The initial kickoff events on January 11, 2003, drew hundreds of children and their parents to the three sites in Daly City, Redwood City and East Palo Alto. Applications for over 1,500 children for Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids were accepted. Our efforts were aided by volunteers from throughout the county, as well as from San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. We especially want to commend these individuals from Human Services Agency (HSA), Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM), San Mateo Central Labor Council, and Health Services.

 

We would like to recognize Elsa Dawson, Lorena Gonzalez, Arlette Hess, Michel Vasquez, and Richard Holman from HSA for implementing the new Healthy Kids eligibility determination process and expanded outreach and enrollment activities within their agency. With their assistance, HSA benefit analysts have worked diligently and in many cases, during extended hours, to enroll families into Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids. From HPSM, Ellen Dunn Malhotra, Dellreitta Guion, and Member Services staff have been instrumental in ensuring that newly enrolled Healthy Kids members receive welcome packets, insurance cards, and a provider directory in a timely manner. From the Central Labor Council, we appreciate the diligence and dedication of Alba Lucia Diaz and Gloria Mariscal of Health@ Work who are holding enrollment sessions for displaced workers. Finally, we commend Marmi Bermudez, Health Services CHI outreach coordinator as well as Alberto Arias, Veronica Avila-Ferreyra, Alma Carranza-Reyes, Claudia Flores, Claudia Lopez, Kathy May, Noemi Mixco, Sosefina Pita, Maribel Prado, Yolanda Recinos, Melieni Talakai and Sandra Vivanco, Community Health Advocates from Health Services and the San Mateo Medical Center for working around-the-clock with over 20 community based organizations to assist parents of uninsured children with the Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, and Healthy Kids applications. Staff from these four groups exemplify the collaborative nature of the initiative and everyone's commitment to improving the health of San Mateo County's children.

 

Vision Alignment

Efforts of the Children's Health Initiative keep the commitment of Ensuring Basic Health and Safety for all and goal number 5: Residents have access to health care and preventive care. CHI contributes to this commitment and goal by providing health care coverage to all children from low-income and middle-income families.

 

Fiscal Impact

This resolution authorizing these commendations has no impact on the County General Fund, and there is no net county cost.