Chicago, Nov. 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Way of Metro Chicago, the largest private funder of human services in the Chicago region, today announced its partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the third largest school district in the United States, in a collaborative effort to address healthcare enrollment through a unique enrollment plan funded by the Pritzker Community Health Initiative, a project of the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Foundation. Known as the Opening Doors Initiative, this strategic partnership is focused on reducing the rate of unenrolled students by 12% percent through the enrollment and retention of approximately 10,000 students in Medicaid and Marketplace health insurance in two years.
Reports show that approximately 72,200 students, or 20% of the 361,000 students enrolled across the district, are eligible for health insurance but remain uninsured. Through the Opening Doors Initiative, United Way and CPS are providing additional resources to the areas of greatest need – Networks 1, 2, 3 and 10 – by increasing the number of trained healthcare navigators in CPS schools and community-based organizations. These navigators are focused on helping eligible families enroll in Medicaid, as well as access to SNAP benefits.
"The Opening Doors Initiative reflects a collaborative and continual effort to remove health-related barriers to learning so that students can succeed in their education and professional careers," said CPS Chief Health Officer Dr. Kenneth L. Fox. "By partnering with United Way on this project, we can reach more Chicago families than ever before, and ensure they have access to the health care services they need to maintain good health."
With the support of the Pritzker Community Health Initiative, this two-year program is aimed at significantly decreasing the percentage of students without healthcare in CPS schools and the city of Chicago, thereby increasing the health of the student population and improving school performance.
“One of the greatest challenges with closing the gap between eligible and enrolled children and families has been limited enrollment staff within schools and a lack of accessible enrollment sites across many communities,” said Jose Rico, SVP of Community Impact at United Way of Metro Chicago, “The Opening Doors Initiative is enabling us to widen our reach across neighborhoods and provide increased opportunities for enrollment education and assistance.”
On Saturday, December 1, 2018 United Way of Metro Chicago and CPS are partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to host the Healthy Kids Resource Fair in the Austin neighborhood. Health insurance and SNAP enrollment counseling will be available to families on both an appointment and a walk-in basis, as well as cooking demos, physical fitness programming and fun children's activities. Matt Forte, former Chicago Bear All-Pro running back and founder of the “What’s Your Forte?” Foundation will also be making a special guest appearance.
“For many parents, being healthy means making sure their kids have immunizations and a place to go when they get sick,” said Matt Forte, who’s also a father of three. “But it’s important to remember that good health is much more. It’s having access to quality care for the entire family, and that’s why this initiative is so important.”
To learn more about the Opening Doors Initiative and the Healthy Kids Resource Fair, visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/getcovered or call 773-553-KIDS (5437).
About United Way of Metro Chicago
United Way of Metro Chicago fights for the health, education, financial stability and safety of every person in every neighborhood across the region. We advance the common good on both a regional and neighborhood level by focusing on the building blocks for thriving people and communities: Access to quality health care, a good education, financial stability and ensuring people are safe. United Way’s Neighborhood Network Initiative supports and coordinates investment and programming in 10 city and suburban communities to address community challenges and improve the lives of residents. Join the fight at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org.
About Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools serves 361,000 students in 644 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.
About the Pritzker Community Health Initiative
A project of the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation, the Pritzker Community Health Initiative seeks to reduce health disparities for the Chicago area’s residents by being an active partner in addressing the conditions that lead to poor health outcomes. One of the initiative’s priorities is to reduce the number of uninsured children in the City of Chicago by 50% by 2023.
About Matt Forte And The “What’s Your Forte?” Foundation
In 2013, Matt Forté established the “What’s Your Forte?” Foundation after learning that 14.7% of Chicago’s high school dropouts were incarcerated, and nearly 42,000 teens did not receive high school diplomas. As a means to help students achieve their dreams of higher education, the Foundation awards college scholarships to participants who have excelled academically, demonstrated strong leadership skills and have maintained a high attendance record. The Foundation was created to empower at-risk high school students striving to achieve their dreams of higher education by providing life-changing resources and valuable mentorship opportunities.