March 29, 2006
For Immediate Release

First 5 Alameda County Joins with Alameda Alliance for Health to Bring Health Coverage to Uninsured Children
Funding will expand health coverage to low-income children 0-5 years of age

WHO: Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) CEO Ingrid Lamirault, First 5 Alameda County CEO Mark Friedman and Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker are pleased to announce First 5 funding of the Alliance's Healthy Kids program. These funds will be used to provide comprehensive low-cost health care coverage to uninsured Alameda County children between ages 0-5 years (see exact eligibility criteria below).

WHAT: The Alliance was awarded $135,000 from First 5 Alameda County and $33,750 from First 5 California in matching funds, to expand health care coverage to children ages 0-5 years. Funds will provide coverage to more than 140 low-income children in Alameda County. First 5 will increase its financial support as the need to cover more young children grows. An enrollment event will also be held to allow families to apply for Healthy Kids coverage.

WHEN: Press Conference
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
10:00 a.m.
Healthy Kids Enrollment Event
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: DE COLORES Head Start (Fruitvale Transit Village)
1155 35th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
Building located across from Fruitvale BART Station / Parking at garage or BART parking lot

WHY: According to the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2003) there are approximately 21,000 uninsured children between ages 0-18 years residing in Alameda County. The Healthy Kids program will help reduce this number by offering low-cost comprehensive health, vision and dental coverage. Eligibility criteria for Healthy Kids is as follows:

Ages 0-18 years

Alameda County resident

Ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families

Family income up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($60,000 for a family of four).

This program is open to all children regardless of immigration status.

Editor's Note: Additional families will also be on-site signing up for the Healthy Kids program.

Alameda Alliance for Health, established in 1996, is a local not-for-profit, state-licensed health plan providing low-cost and no-cost comprehensive health care services to nearly 90,000 Alameda County residents. Alliance members choose from a network of more than 1,100 community doctors, 10 hospitals, 26 community clinics and more than 140 pharmacies. For more information on the Alliance and its programs, visit www.alamedaalliance.org

First 5 Alameda County's mission is to develop and implement a high-quality, community-based countywide system of continuous prevention and early intervention services to improve environments critical to the health and well-being of young children and their families. For more information on First 5 Alameda County, visit www.ackids.org

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