Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Program - Start Corporation (Start), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), proposes a new Connecting Kids to Coverage (CKC) program to expand outreach and application assistance for children and families. This initiative aims to increase Medicaid and CHIP enrollment and retention, ensuring that fewer children remain uninsured across Louisiana (LA). With six clinic locations, all designated as Medicaid Application sites, Start is uniquely positioned to connect eligible families with vital health coverage. Through targeted outreach, education, and application support, the CKC program will work to remove barriers to enrollment, helping families gain and maintain access to essential healthcare services. Start’s geographic service area covers six of LA’s nine regions including: Region 1 (New Orleans), Region 2 (Baton Rouge), Region 3 (Houma/Thibodaux), Region 7 (North West), Region 8 (North East) and Region 9 (North Shore), providing services to 44 of Louisiana's 64 parishes, urban and rural. Start’s target population for CKC is: children under 19, parents, and pregnant women with additional emphasis on outreach to the target population that includes families experiencing homelessness and veteran families. Program goals: Through this program, 3,085 applications will be submitted, 1,965 children, parents and pregnant women will be newly connected with Medicaid insurance and 1,120 children and parents will retain their Medicaid insurance. Year 1 outcomes: 432 of Outreach Activities (1 activity per week x 9 regions x 48 weeks) across Start’s program locations and partner events 192 on-site “Enrollment Days” at Start’s clinic and office locations (8 sites x 2 monthly x 12 months) 36 community-based “Enrollment Days” coupled with Start’s and/or community outreach resource fairs /events (1 in each of the 9 regions per quarter x 4 quarters) 2 new Medicaid Application sites 730 children, parent and pregnant women helped with applications 475 children, parent and pregnant women applications approved / enrolled in coverage 250 children and parent applications renewed Total budget amount: $1,422,176.25 Start will use funds to: employee a Project Director at .25 FTE, hire three FTE Medicaid Enrollment Specialists who will conduct outreach, enrollment, and application activities; train five Parent Mentors and train two new Medicaid Application Center sites.
