REACH BC+: Retention and Enrollment to Achieve Children’s Health and Build Capacity
This project will expand on the work of the program Covering Kids & Families, which informs Wisconsin residents about BadgerCare Plus (BC+), a state-funded medical insurance program. REACH BC+ will reach state residents by targeting state school districts with information on public health insurance availability and eligibility, and assistance with enrolling in the program. This program will provide training in BC+ basics to school staff, create a local network for technical support, and customize outreach materials for each district. The goal is to improve access to health care and, ultimately, foster healthy outcomes.
Outcomes
About 20,000 students attend public school in the project region, and at least 1300 of them are uninsured despite their likely eligibility for BadgerCare+. The project reached more than 120 administrators and pupil services staff at all 31 local school districts with training, and resources were regularly communicated to more than 220 staff to promote BadgerCare+ enrollment to all area families. Materials were disseminated through school newsletters, websites, one to one family connections and the region-wide CESA3 newsletter as just a few methods that schools engaged in to reach uninsured families. School staff and families will continue to benefit from regularly updated materials available in the online CKF Toolbox.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Roberta Riportella
Professor and Health Policy Specialist
- Department/Unit
- Consumer Science
- School or College
- School of Human Ecology