July 31, 2003 State Encourages Parents to Seek Health Coverage for Their Kids

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Baton Rouge  Noting that the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) is “a key to improving the health of the state” Governor Mike Foster has declared August 2003 as LaCHIP Month in Louisiana.  The Department of Health is teaming up with retail outlets, community organizations and government entities to give families preparing for Back-to-School an opportunity to apply for no-cost health insurance from LaCHIP.  

LaCHIP representatives will be stationed at more than 150 locations around the state during the month of August to promote the program and take applications on-site.  Complimentary school supplies will be available to children in families who stop to learn more about LaCHIP.  These outreach activities throughout the state are in conjunction with a statewide radio campaign geared toward informing Louisiana families about this program.  

During the first weekend of the month, LaCHIP will partner with its sister agency, the Office of Public Health, to educate and assist parents bringing their children to the Back-to-School Immunization Drive at health units across the state with enrollment into health coverage for their children. 

LaCHIP is a health insurance program designed to bring quality health care to uninsured children and youth up to the age of 19 in Louisiana. Since LaCHIP began in 1998, the number of uninsured children in the state has been reduced by more than 276,000.  A Kaiser Foundation report released earlier this year showed that Louisiana made significant reductions in its number of uninsured children.  In fact, the report noted that Louisiana had done better than any other state in the nation during the 2001 calendar year. For more information, or to receive a LaCHIP application, call toll-free, 1-877-252-2447 (2LaCHIP), or visit the LaCHIP Web site at www.dhh.state.la.us/MEDICAID/LaCHIP/index.htm . 

NOTE TO EDITORS:  For more information about LaCHIP activities throughout Louisiana or for assistance in setting up interviews with recipients, physicians or LaCHIP representatives, please contact Kyle Viator via phone 225-342-6043 or via pager 888-873-9131.  High quality B-Roll on beta dubs will also be distributed to interested television stations. This footage as well as coverage of a national press conference in Washington, DC on this issue  will also be available on a satellite feed on Thursday, July 31 from 12 - 12:15pm and 3 - 3:15pm CDT at:

Telstar 4, Transponder 11C-Band; 
3920 Frequency Vertical Polarity 6.2/6.8 Audio. 
For problems with satellite feed contact Robin Lane at 877-544-8400 (toll-free) 

LaCHIP Back-to-School   Calendar of Events

Thursday, July 31
Ø                   OPH Back-to-School Immunization Drive (2p.m. - 8p.m.) @ Health Units Statewide 
                      
For specific locations visit www.dhh.state.la.us/NEWS/Schoolshots03.htm

Friday, August 1
Ø                   OPH Back-to-School Immunization Drive (8a.m. - 5p.m.) @ Health Units Statewide 
                      For specific locations visit www.dhh.state.la.us/NEWS/Schoolshots03.htm
Ø                   
Louisiana Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign Kickoff 
                      @Children’s Hospital Auditorium (10a.m.200 Henry Clay  Ave., New Orleans  
Saturday, August 2
Ø     OPH Back-to-School Immunization Drive (9a.m. - 1p.m.) @ Health Units Statewide
                      
 For specific locations visit www.dhh.state.la.us/NEWS/Schoolshots03.htm
Ø                   Open Enrollment Day at Orleans Medicaid Office (9a.m. – 1p.m.) 1010 Common St., 4th  Floor,New Orleans  
                      (Applications will be processed on site and LaCHIP/Medicaid certification decisions will be made that day.  
                      
Assistance will also be offered to current LaCHIP & Medicaid clients in choosing a CommunityCARE doctor)  
Ø                   Entergy’s Project Care Community Resource Fair @ Epiphany Catholic Church (10a.m. - 1p.m.) 
                      1949 Duels Street, New Orleans  
Ø                   Wal-Mart Kids’ Day (10a.m. – 3p.m.) 1616 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace  
Ø                   Marksville LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 2p.m.) 830 Tunica Dr. East  
Ø                   Bunkie LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Piggly Wiggly (10a.m. - 2p.m.) 105 Chevy Lane  
Ø                   Jonesville LaCHIP Outreach Day @ St. Mary’s Baptist Church (8a.m. - Noon)  
Ø                   Vidalia LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Fred’s Department Store (9a.m. - Noon) 2004 Carter Street  
Ø                   Alexandria LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Goody’s Department Store (9a.m. – 1p.m.)  2657 South MacArthur Drive  
Ø                   Winnfield LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Family Dollar Store (9a.m. - 2p.m.) Shoppers Village Shopping Ctr.  
Ø                   Vivian LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 2p.m.) Hwy. One South  
Ø                   Denham Springs Jr. High School Kids’ Fitness & Fun Day (10a.m. - 2p.m.) 401 Hatchell Lane  
Ø                   Slidell LaCHIP Outreach Day @ North Shore Square Mall (10a.m. – 5p.m.) 150 Northshore Blvd 
Ø                   Bogalousa LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 4p.m) 218 Cumberland Street  
Ø                   Greater St. Peter Baptist Church "Beyond the Walls" Day @ Emmitt J. Douglas Park (10a.m. - 3:30p.m) 10th St., New Roads  
Ø                   Ascension Parish Share Fair @ Lemann Center (9a.m.- 1p.m.) 1100 Clay Street,Donaldsonville  
Ø                  Higher Ground Ministries Back to School Event (9a.m.- 1p.m.) 5373 Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge
Ø                   Leo Butler Center Back to School Event  (9a.m. - 2p.m.) 950 E. Washington Street, Baton Rouge
Sunday, August 3 
Ø                    Night Out Against Crime Kick-off @ Treasure Chest Casino (4p.m. – 7p.m.) Kenner

Tuesday, August 5 
Ø                   Gentilly/Sugar Hill Night Out Against Crime (6p.m. - 8p.m.) I-610 at Touro St., New Orleans  
Ø                   AP Tureaud Terrance Neighborhood Assn.Night Out Against Crime (6p.m. - 8p.m.) AP Tureaud Ave 
                      at N. Rocheblave Street., New Orleans  
Ø                   Corpus Christi Catholic School Night Out Against Crime (6p.m. - 8p.m.) 2201 St Bernard Ave.,New Orleans  
Ø                   Voscoville Neighborhood Assn. Night Out Against Crime (6p.m. - 8p.m.) Annette at Lombard Streets, New Orleans  
Ø                   St. Joseph Catholic Church Night Out Against Crime @ Southeast Blood Center (5p.m. - 8p.m.) S. Galvez 
                      at Banks Streets., New Orleans  
Ø                  Ferriday LaCHIP Outreach Day 1 @ Wal-Mart (9a.m. - Noon) U.S.  Highway 65 North

Thursday, August 7
Ø                   Abramson Sr. High School Registration (Noon – 3p.m.) 5500 Read Blvd, New Orleans  
Ø                  Ferriday LaCHIP Outreach Day 2 @ Wal-Mart (9a.m.-Noon) U.S.  Highway 65 North

Friday, August 8
Ø                   Jena LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Mac’s Supermarket (lp.m. – 6p.m.) Hwy 84 East  
Ø                   Family Road Immunization Drive @ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (10a.m. - 1p.m.)  
                      4000 Gus Young Ave., Baton Rouge
  
Ø                   Baker LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m) 14740 Plank Road

Saturday, August 9 
Ø                   19th Annual Greater New Orleans Assn. for the Education of Young Children Conference @ 
                      Delgado Community College Student Life Learning Center (11a.m. – 12:30 pm) 615 City Park Ave., New Orleans  
Ø                   Second Zion Baptist Church Annual Community Picnic (Noon – 6p.m.) 6520 Second Zion Avenue, Marrero  
Ø                   New Roads LaCHIP Outreach Day 1 @ Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) 2050 False River Drive  
Ø                   Crowley LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 729 Oddsfellow Road  
Ø                   Ville Platte LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 1881 E. Main St.  
Ø                   New Iberia LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 1205 E. Admiral Doyle Dr.  
Ø                   Lafayette LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 2428 W. Pinhook Road  
Ø                   Opelousas LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) I-49 Service Road  
Ø                   St. Martinville LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 2310 N. Main  
Ø                   Breaux Bridge LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 1400 Rees St  
Ø                   Abbeville LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 3005 Charity St  
Ø                   Lake Charles LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 3415 Hwy 14  
Ø                   Sulphur LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 525 N Cities Service Hwy  
Ø                   LaCHIP Community Health Fair @ Doyline United Methodist Church (8a.m - 2p.m.) 116 Main Street, Doyline  
Ø                   Louisiana Regional PTA Meeting/East Feliciana Parish Schools Enrollment Day @ Clinton High Schoo (8:00a.m. -2p.m.)
                      10410 Plank Rd, Clinton  
Ø                   LaCHIP Children’s Resources & Health Fair (10a.m. - 3p.m.) Monroe Civic Center Arena  
Ø                   Family Health & Fitness Fair @ Greater Covington Center (8a.m. – 1p.m.) 317 North Jefferson Street, Covington  
Ø                   Hammond LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Hammond Square Mall (10a.m. - 3p.m.) 2000 SW Railroad Avenue  
Ø                   Mt. Pilgrim Church Back to School Fair (Time: TBA) 9700 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge  
Ø                   100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge 9th Annual Back-to-School Expo (8a.m. - 1p.m.) Riverside Centroplex  
Ø                   Celebrating Community sponsored by State Rep. Sharon Weston Broome @ Delmont Service Center (10a.m. -1p.m.)  
                      3535 Riley St., Baton Rouge

Monday, August 11 
Ø                   Mansfield LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Dollar General (3p.m. - 7p.m.) 1033 South Washington Street  
                       (In conjunction with first day of school in DeSoto Parish)

Tuesday, August 12 
Ø                   Teacher Recognition Day@ Wal-Mart (Time: TBA) 410 N Canal Blvd, Thibodaux  
Ø                   Grant Parish Health Unit Back to School Immunization Drive (8a.m. – 5p.m.) 513 Eighth St.,Colfax

Wednesday, August 13 
Ø                   Grand Opening of Teche Action Clinic (Time TBA) North Ashland Avenue, Houma  
Ø                   Abramson Sr. High School Registration (Noon – 3p.m.) 5500 Read Blvd, New Orleans

Thursday, August 14 
Ø                   Abramson Sr. High School Registration (Noon – 3p.m.) 5500 Read Blvd, New Orleans  
Ø                   Coushatta LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Dollar General (3p.m. - 7p.m.) 1022 Cutoff Road  
                       (In conjunction with first day of school in Red River Parish)

Saturday, August 16 
Ø                   Meraux LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Sears Department Store (10a.m. - 4p.m.) 4300 E. Judge Perez Dr.  
Ø                   Community Back-to-School Event Sponsored by City Councilwoman Renee’ Gill-Pratt @ Lyons Memorial Center 
                      (Noon – 2p.m.) 624 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans  
Ø                   Oschner’s 5th Annual Kid’s Day @ Lakeside Mall (10a.m. - 3p.m.) Metairie  
Ø                   Kenner LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) W. Esplanade at Loyola Dr.  
Ø                   Abiding Temple Ministries’ Gospel Block Party (4p.m. – 8p.m.)1300 Block of Arts Street, New Orleans  
Ø                   Greater King David Ministires’ Back to School Fair (Time:TBA) 7305 Harry Drive, Baton Rouge  
Ø                   Baton Rouge LaCHIP Outreach Day 1 @ Cortana Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) 8598 Cortana Mall  
Ø                   Baton Rouge LaCHIP Outreach Day 2 @ Central Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) 10200 Sullivan Road 
Ø                   The Scene Back-To-School Fair @ Alexandria Mall’s JC Penny Entrance (2p.m. – 8p.m.) 3437 Masonic Drive  
Ø                   L.I.F.T.U.P. Back to School Fair @ Greater Covington Center (10a.m. - 2p.m.) 317 North Jefferson Street
Sunday, August 17 
Ø                   Baton Rouge LaCHIP Outreach Day 3 @ O’Neal Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) 2171 O'Neal Lane  
Ø                   Hispanic Community Back-to-School Fair @ St. Jerome’s Catholic Church (Time: TBA) 2402 33rdStreet, Kenner
Tuesday, August 19
Ø                   Natchitoches LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Rite-Aid (3p.m. - 7p.m.) 601 Keyser Avenue  
                      (In conjunction with first day of school in Natchitoches Parish)
Thursday, August 21 
Ø                   Donaldsonville Dream Center Back to School Bash @ Lemann Center (6p.m.- 9p.m.) 1100 Clay Street0

Saturday, August 23 
Ø                   Baton Rouge LaCHIP Outreach Day 4 @ Perkins Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) 3535 Perkins Road  
Ø                   Light City Church Back-to-School Fair (9a.m. – Noon) 6110 St Claude Ave., New Orleans  
Ø                   Living Water Baptist Church Back-to-School Fair (11a.m. – 2p.m.) 2114 Elysian Fields Ave.,New Orleans  
Ø                   New Roads LaCHIP Outreach Day 2 @ Wal-Mart (9a.m. - 3p.m.) 2050 False River Drive  
Ø                   Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance Neighborhood Festival @ Kernan St. BREC Park (10a.m. – 2p.m.) 
                      333 Kernan Avenue, Baton Rouge  

Wednesday, August 27
Ø                  Covering Kids & Families Coalition Meeting (11a.m-1p.m) @ St. Francis Cabrini Hospital Mediplex, 
                      3347 Masonic Drive, Alexandria
Ø                   Southdowns School Open House (6p.m – 8p.m.) 2050 Hood Avenue, Baton Rouge

Friday, August 29 
Ø                   Many LaCHIP Outreach Day @ Wal-Mart (3p.m. - 7p.m.) 155 San Antonio Ave  
                      (In conjunction with first day of school in Sabine Parish)  
Saturday, August 30 
Ø                   Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival-Children’s Day @ Lawrence Park (9a.m. - 5p.m.)Morgan City
Sunday, August 31
Ø                   Community Health Fair @ Eisenhower Apartments (Time:TBA) Airline Dr. at Power Blvd, Kenner

More activities are expected to be added throughout the month.  For an up-to-date list or to receive a LaCHIP application, families can call toll-free, 1-877-252-2447 (2LaCHIP), or visit the LDH website atwww.dhh.state.la.us 

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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