8/9/13 - A grant will allow for a unique collaboration on a two year project that will serve both Washtenaw and Livingston Counties. The grant was the only one awarded in Michigan by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and totals $593,587. The project is called âCoverage Counts: Connecting Teens, Immigrant and Homeless Familiesâ and will be coordinated through the Washtenaw Health Plan. The focus is bridging health coverage disparities by reaching out to sub-groups of children that exhibit lower than average health coverage rates. The project will focus on three sub-groups in particular: immigrant children and their parents, homeless children and their parents, and teenagers and their parents. Those groups were prioritized because they are less likely to be enrolled in health coverage, even when they are eligible. Officials say families with older teens, in particular, may not realize their children are still eligible for Medicaid while immigrant and homeless families face a variety of barriers, including literacy challenges and challenges in accessing technology. Ted Westmeier, Health Officer for the Livingston County Department of Public Health, is enthusiastic about the projectâs potential and says theyâre delighted to be included and expect it will offer even more opportunities for outreach to families. (JM)
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