Junior League of Northern VA Back-to-School Health Fairs Provide Uninsured Children Access to Care

June 23, 2008 - PRLog -- The Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV), in partnership with INOVA Hospital’s Partnership for Healthier Kids (PHK) and other local organizations, has announced the dates for this year’s Back-to-School Health Fairs for uninsured children in need of physicals and immunizations to enter school for the first time. Fairs will be held at the Arlandria Health Center in Alexandria and the Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic in Herndon. The program will also expand to a third location at the Loudoun Community Health Center in Leesburg.

More than 1 million Virginians lack health insurance coverage. In the 2008 State of the Poor report published by the Fairfax County Community Action Advisory Board, an estimated 100,000 residents in Fairfax County alone are without health insurance. Of those uninsured, 35,000 to 40,000 have incomes 250 percent below the national poverty level.

In 2007, the JLNV provided access to free health care for 123 uninsured children in order to attend school. With the addition of the Loudoun County location, the JLNV hopes to reach more than 200 children this year.

“Every child should have access to quality health care,” said Tamara Ashford, JLNV president. “Our League’s theme this year is ‘Impact Change.’ By partnering with other like-minded community organizations, we are able to make positive changes by introducing underserved families to resources for health education and care year round.”

The Back-to-School Health Fairs, where volunteers will provide free health screenings, immunizations and school supplies, will be held on the following dates:
•Saturday, July 12, 2008, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Arlandria Health Center in Alexandria, VA
o2 East Glebe Road, Alexandria, VA 22305
Please call 703-535-5418 for more information and advance registration
oOpen to uninsured school-aged children residing in the city of Alexandria
•Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic in Herndon, VA
o500 Grove Street, Herndon, VA 20170
oPlease call 703-481-8160 for more information and advance registration
oOpen to uninsured children ages 3-19 currently residing in Herndon, Reston, Chantilly or Centreville
•Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, Time TBA, Loudon Community Health Center in Leesburg, VA
o224a Cornwall Street, NW, Third Floor, Leesburg, VA 21076
oPlease call 703-443-2000 for more information and advance registration

The health centers request that families bring immunization records, a health history and any allergy information to their child’s appointment. A parent or guardian must be present.

In addition to the JLNV, partners for the program include the Arlandria Health Center, the Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, Northern Virginia Health Services Coalition, Amerigroup, The Campagna Center, Colgate, FAMIS, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services Inc., Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, Project Connect, Virginia Health Care Foundation and Virginia Department of Medical Assistance.

Additional information is available at www.anhsi.org and www.jsfreeclinic.org, or by contacting the JLNV at schoolreadiness@jlnv.org.

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The Junior League of Northern Virginia is an organization of  women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The JLNV is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. Seeking to empower women to be a driving force to improve the Northern Virginia community, the JLNV focuses on preparing children in Northern Virginia for success.  2008 marks the League’s 50th anniversary. More information can be found at www.jlnv.org or by calling 703-442-4163.