Early in its development, the Child Health Initiative in Salem, Ore., learned an important lesson: one effective way to reach low-income families with preventive health services is to offer appealing events. Through bicycle rodeos, community dinners, mobile dental programs, and other events, the initiative has mobilized the community to tackle a wide range of children's health problems.

Who is served?

The initiative provides care coordination of health and social services to elementary school students and their younger and unborn siblings in families with incomes under 180 percent of the poverty level who live near one of two schools. The initiative also offers preventive dental services to pre-kindergarten children, and emergency dental services to children and adults throughout Marion County.

How does the project work?

Care coordinators at the two schools work with children and parents who need special attention. Care coordinators make home visits or meet with families at the Child Health Initiative offices or other locations. The family becomes part of a team that includes the care coordinator and a school staff person. The family helps determine what kind of help family members need and participates in developing a care plan. The care coordinator then helps the family identify and gain access to providers and an array of donated services to accomplish the plan's goals. The care coordinator contacts the family at least once a month and adjusts the care plan as needed. Care coordinators also stay in touch with families who have no current needs. Families may enter or leave the program at any time.

Just as the care coordination services build relationships with families, the initiative's annual health and safety fairs build relationships among families in five low-income neighborhoods and members of the wider community. The fairs are popular community events. Educational and fun, the fairs have attracted donated prizes and food from local businesses, and direct health services from government and private providers.

Several spin-off projects inspired by the initiative now provide a variety of goods and services to those in need. These include children's bicycle helmets, home smoke detectors, blankets and clothing, and emergency dental services. These projects currently serve 10 schools.

How is the project financed?

The initiative's Child Health Fund receives funding from the initiative's partners (families, community and religious organizations, local and state government, schools, and private health care providers). These contributions include categorical and in-kind support. In addition, the initiative receives Medicaid administrative reimbursements and has attracted contributions and in-kind donations from local sources that allow for some discretionary funds.

Quotes About the Project

We offer families tangible services. When they find they can count on us, they come back." — Eleanor Miller, Project Director, Marion County Child Health Initiative

When a child goes without immunizations or a doctor's care, we all suffer. It's up to each of us to make sure all children have access to high quality health care." — Jim Randall, Salem Hospital