Saying no child should be without quality health care, Westchester County Executive Andy Spano today unveiled a new county program to assist families in obtaining low-cost or no-cost health insurance for their children.

"We want to do everything possible to make sure that Westchester's children are healthy," said Spano. "We want families to know how important it is that their children get regular check-ups and inoculations and that they get proper medical care when they are sick. We want to make sure that they understand that regardless of their family finances, all Westchester children can get such health care."

Dubbed "All Kids HealthCare," the multi-faceted program is aimed at raising awareness about low-cost health insurance available through the state and helping parents fill out the application to qualify. The County is launching a print, television and radio campaign and is contracting with five community-based agencies to help.

"Six million children in the United States are eligible for free or low-cost health insurance but are not enrolled in a program. Perhaps they don't know about the program, or maybe the forms seem too overwhelming to fill out. Here in Westchester, we are committed to removing these obstacles. We want to spread the word that affordable health insurance is available to every child in Westchester County from birth to 19 years of age," Spano said.

It is estimated that one in seven children in the United States does not have health insurance, which translates into thousands of uninsured children in Westchester. The goal of the campaign is to reach out to various groups that traditionally are without insurance, with posters in bus shelters, in both English and Spanish; and with visits to businesses, churches and schools, first to identify the people without insurance, then to help them enroll in the appropriate programs.

The County Executive was joined at the news conference by the County's new Health Commissioner, Dr. Joshua B. Lipsman, whose department will be the lead agency, and representatives of five non-profit groups that will be working with the county on the campaign. The Health Department will directly assist in enrolling children and will coordinate this countywide effort with these groups, the County Department of Social Services and local health plans.

"All Kids HealthCare truly exemplifies team work at its finest," said Lipsman. "In addition to the Department of Health's own staff, we will be working with five community-based agencies to help families get their children enrolled in a health insurance plan. These agencies will be available throughout the County to answer questions and help parents fill out the application. "

These agencies are:

• The Westchester Children’s Association, which will coordinate the enrollment sites of the other agencies

• Cluster (Congregations Linked in Urban Strategy to Effect Renewal)

• The Child Care Council of Westchester

• Westchester Community Opportunity Program

• The Westchester Hispanic Coalition

Under the direction of the county Health Department, which received a $300,000, one-year state grant, these agencies will conduct an extensive outreach program, actively working to inform people about the available health insurance programs -- Child Health Plus and Medicaid -- and assist with enrollment. The agencies will visit area schools, Head Start programs, WIC clinics, day care centers, churches and businesses.

"These agencies, with their own community roots, will help us get the word out to Westchester's diverse population," Spano said.

The county is also launching a $100,000 media campaign that will include public service announcements, brochures and flyers, both in English and Spanish.

And effective June 1, the County will have a 24-hour ALL KIDS HEALTHCARE information line, (914) 637-2454, to provide families with information on where they can go and who they can speak with in their communities to get their children signed-up for comprehensive health coverage.

Information will also be available on the County's website: www.westchestergov.com/health

• Westchester Children's Association -- an independent, multi-issue child advocacy organization based in White Plans, dedicated to improving the lives of the County's children and youth.

• Child Care Council of Westchester -- a private not-for-profit agency that provides education and child care referrals and assistance to parents who qualify for public child care subsidies.

• CLUSTER -- Founded in 1975 by Westchester Episcopal congregations, CLUSTER has five program sites in Yonkers and offices in Mount Vernon and White Plains. It runs youth programs, summer day camp programs and study buddies programs.

• Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WestCOP) -- With a main site in Elmsford and offices in 12 other municipalities, WestCOP is a multi-purpose social service agency operating programs to combat poverty in Westchester and Putnam.

• Westchester Hispanic Coalition -- Founded in 1974, the Coalition is dedicated to the economic and social development of the Hispanic community. Its main office is in White Plains, with offices in Port Chester and Mount Kisco, providing services throughout the County.