New Partners Work to Increase Enrollment in Children’s Healthcare

October 13, 2021 – Sarasota

Approximately 2.4 million Florida children rely on the state program, Florida KidCare, for health and dental insurance coverage. And yet, more than 343,000 Florida children under the age of 18 are uninsured; of that number, more than 176,000 are estimated to be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Florida KidCare but are not currently enrolled.

In an effort to increase the number of insured Florida children in our area and ensure they have access to quality health care, All Faiths Food Bank has embarked on a new partnership – which launched in August – with the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. As part of the outreach effort, All Faiths will educate parents about Florida KidCare health and dental coverage, and help sign their children up. All Faiths works in a similar fashion to educate and enroll community members in the SNAP (food stamps) program, to help community members benefit from nutritional support. 

Florida KidCare is made up of four unique programs: Medicaid for children (birth-18 years), MediKids (ages 1-4), Florida Healthy Kids (ages 5-18) and Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan (birth-18 with special health care needs). The program exists to increase the number of insured children in Florida by offering affordable, quality health and dental insurance.

The simple and free application process – which All Faiths staff members stand ready to assist with – is designed to identify the program that fits a family best. Most families pay nothing at all and many families pay as little as $15 or $20 a month. Enrollment is year-round.

As part of this new partnership, the All Faiths team has received extensive training to learn about the Florida KidCare program to provide application assistance to families, along with being available to share their learnings through presentations with other interested organizations. In addition, the All Faiths team will also attend a variety of community events and/or host their own Florida KidCare events to help spread awareness of the program in Sarasota County.

“Here at All Faiths Food Bank, our goal is not just to provide food to those facing hunger today but also to address the root causes of hunger, so that we can make measurable strides in ending hunger in the future,” said All Faiths CEO Sandra Frank. “By raising awareness of affordable health and dental care, we are not only helping to lift area families out of poverty but also enabling them to access preventative care, thereby helping them to avoid financially devastating medical or dental crises.”

Community members can learn more about Florida KidCare and/or receive assistance – in English and Spanish – in signing up by calling 941-376-0120 in Sarasota and 941-374-0010 in DeSoto; or visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/additional-resources-and-assistance.

For more about All Faiths Food Bank, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. To learn more about Florida KidCare, visit floridakidcare.org or call (888) 540-KIDS.