CHILDRENS' HEALTH INITIATIVE

In 1996, the Citizen Advisory Board completed a community health needs assessment. Three workgroups were formed according to the age group of the population to be studied - birth through 19, 20 through 64, and 65 and older. Access to health services was identified as the leading barrier to a healthier community by all three workgroups. Access was further defined as the ability to: (1) obtain affordable health insurance, (2) get to a health care provider when services are needed, and (3) find a physician who is accepting new patients.

As a result of this valuable work, the Chautauqua County Health Network (CCHN) established the Children's Health Initiative Task Force to develop strategies to reduce the number of uninsured children in the county. The New York State Department of Health expanded eligibility and benefits for children included in its Medicaid program and the health insurance program, Child Health Plus. The CCHN was successful in partnering with Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. and the Western New York Healthcare Association for a State grant to facilitate enrollment in Child Health Plus and Medicaid. The CCHN also worked with the County Executive and County Legislature to pass a resolution declaring that "No child should be without health insurance."

| Annual Report 2001-2002 |
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