Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access

The message is simple:

The Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access (WAHA) is partnering with Whatcom County School districts to ensure that all children have health insurance and access to healthcare services. This partnership has streamlined the process for Districts to help families access the help they need in understanding all their health insurance options and finding a medical home for their children.

Parents find the message (Healthy kids are better learners) on the District websites, in the community newsletter, in school newsletters that students carry home, and on WAHA posters and brochures in each of the school offices. These materials help district staff direct parents to WAHA’s Access Coordinators who can help them understand their health insurance options.

The various ways that WAHA is working with schools to connect uninsured children and their families to WAHA services are outlined below:

• As students new to the district register, parents are asked if their child has health insurance.

• During health screenings, when school nurses indentify a child who needs to be referred for further medical care.

• When students sign up for sports, they are required to show proof of current health insurance and get a sports physical.

• As families sign up for Free & Reduced Lunch assistance, they can request information on low-cost health insurance.

• As part of elementary school parent teacher conferences, parents are asked to confirm that their child’s health insurance is still in place.

• When sick students are picked up from school offices and health rooms, parents are asked if they expect health insurance or finding a doctor to be a barrier to getting their child the care they need.

Primary Classroom

Insurance & Care Connection

Insurance & Care
Connection