Arkansas Finish Line CoalitionOur three-part plan to cover every child

ARKids First New Annual income limits*

Children age 19 and younger

Add $9,350 for each additional child

*Note: new income eligibility of 250 FPL pending federal approval, no earlier than July 1

Enrolling Eligible Children is Critical to Success

• Three out of four uninsured children in Arkansas are likely eligible for ARKids First.

• Community partners, especially schools, will be critical to ensuring children get enrolled and stay enrolled.

• We often lose children not in enrollment, but re-enrollment!

Arkansas Finish Line CoalitionGoal one: Enroll children who qualify

• An online screening and enrollment tool with basic questions – currently English Only

• Automatically screens for eligibility for 13 DHS programs or services.

• Available any time with an Internet connection.• Offers online enrollment for ARKids First and Food Stamps,

more programs to be added.• Future plans to also have call centers so applicants can apply in

many ways.• Online at www.arkansas.gov/dhs or www.arkids.com

How Can Schools Help?

• Work with uninsured children and their families – get the word out!

• Kindergarten round up, back-to-school fairs

• Enrollment or re-enrollment “assistors” – school nurses, social workers, human service workers

• Partner with local DHS office and other local groups that serve children and families

How Can Schools Help?

• Use wellness committees to find new ways to reach and enroll eligible children

• Make reducing uninsured children a goal of ACSIP wellness or Coordinated School Health planning

• Find local leaders to serve as spokespersons

• Coaches often good spokespeople– children can’t play sports without insurance!

• Other ways you reach uninsured kids?

Arkansas Finish Line Outreach Sites

• Resource to schools around ARKids enrollment• Conduct presentations to groups and

community-based organizations around ARKids First and its benefits

• Seven sites around the state: El Dorado, Helena-West Helena, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mena, Russellville, Springdale

• Back to school enrollment push – We need your help!

Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA)

NOT SCHIP!Also a federal push to make it easier to reach uninsured kids.

Signed into law February 4, 2009

• New Funding Commitment

• Reaching eligible but uninsured

• New Coverage Options

• Improving Care Children Receive

Feedback• What are the major

local barriers to getting kids enrolled?

• New strategies at the school or community level?

• Necessary changes at the state level?

Arkansas Finish Line Coalition

Kara WilkinsHealth Outreach CoordinatorArkansas Advocates for Children and Families1400 W. Markham, Suite 306Little Rock, AR 72201(501) 371-9678 Ext. 113kwilkins@aradvocates.org

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