1. Back-to-School 2002 Technical Assistance Conference Call #1 The first Back-to-School 2002 Communications Technical Assistance Conference Call will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 8:00 am HST. GMMB&A will describe its upcoming campaign and their Back-to-School Action Kit. Discussion will focus on core messages and themes for the campaign, as well as ways that Covering Kids coalitions and partners can use the kit's materials to publicize their Back-to-School outreach efforts to local media. The call will cover the basics for planning an August news event, including: selecting speakers and families that will draw attention to your event, choosing a location and time that will make it easier for news organizations to cover your event, and designing an event that will appeal both to families and members of the media. This call will also give Covering Kids coalitions and partners the opportunity to share their experiences and suggestions from successful media outreach efforts they have conducted. Steps you should take now to ensure appropriate evaluation of your outreach efforts also will be discussed. 2. Redistribution and Continued Availability of Unexpended CHIP Funds from FY 1999 Appropriation The 26 April 2002 Federal Register notice describing the CHIP FY 1999 allotment redistribution and continued availability of funds. On page 20799, a state table of the retained and redistributed amounts indicates Hawaii retained $3,732,590. To download the PDF file click here. 3. Outreach to Homeless Youth Outside In, an Oregon consumer organization and Covering Kids pilot project lead organization, is featured in the Center for Health Care Strategies' April "Project Spotlight" for using incentives to reach out to homeless youth and connect them with health insurance information and primary care providers. The spotlight article can be viewed online at Outside In: Incentives, Peer Outreach Bring Homeless Youth into Doctor's Office. 4. California Organization Unveils Express Lane Eligibility Web Site The Children's Partnership in California released a new web resource that provides information about California's Express Lane Eligibility efforts. Millions of uninsured children in programs such as school lunch are eligible for health insurance--more than 700,000 in California alone. Visit Express Lane to learn more. 5. Texas Report on Renewals The Texas Health and Human Services Commission published a report on renewals titled "An Analysis of Disenrollment Patterns in the Children's Health Insurance Program in Texas." The report was prepared by the Institute for Child Health Policy (iCHP) and includes interesting information on why Texas families are not renewing their health insurance. Download the report at State Coverage Initiatives.