Resource Update - Healthcare
Rosey Higgs
Hello, Friends of Project Everlast!
I hope this finds you staying warm during these blustery days!
Above is a link to an article that appeared in Saturday's Omaha World Herald regarding our partnership with One World Community Health Center. This partnership, as well as a similar partnership with Charles Drew Health Center, was formed as a result of information received from members of the Nebraska Foster Youth Council. Many members, particularly those over 19, reported lacking access to health care, having no medical insurance, and a general lack of knowledge of their healthcare needs. Some youth reported having huge outstanding medical bills, either because they didn't know how to access financial assistance resources or because they rely on emergency departments for their health care.
This anecdotal information is mirrored in our own data collection efforts. In an April, 2010 survey of 85 local young people, 45% reported having no medical insurance coverage. Furthermore, nearly 30% reported needing medical care in the past 6 months but not seeking it, either because they couldn't pay or because they didn't know where to go.
One World Health Center and Charles Drew Health Center have each appointed or hired a Youth Navigator to serve as a friendly face and first point of contact to help young people assess their health care needs, access financial assistance services, and make the necessary appointments with doctors, dentists, and/or other services. They also have dollars to help youth pay for physicals and other health care services.
We are thrilled with this partnership. If you know of a young person who is currently in foster care or is an alumni of foster care and is aged 14-24, please provide them the following contact information to access this resource:
One World Health Center
Beth Hansen
Charles Drew Health Center
Bree Schweigart
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about this partnership or these services.
As always, thank you for your time and energy devoted to improving the lives of youth in foster care and alumni.
Best regards,
Rosey Higgs, MSW
Program Officer, Project Everlast
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
115 South 49th Avenue
Omaha, NE 68132
P: 402.618.8544
F: 402.476.9486
www.nebraskachildren.org <http://mail.nebraskachildren.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nebraskachildren.org>
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