Georgia Awarded $60K Packard Grant to Promote Health Insurance For All Children

10/30/2006

ATLANTA (Oct. 30, 2006) - A pair of Georgia non-profit groups advocating strengthened community support for children and families today announced the receipt of a $60,000 grant by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to promote healthcare coverage for all children in the state.
 
The Georgia Family Connection Partnership and Voices for Georgia’s Children will share the funds and jointly administer a year-long project called the Children’s Health Coverage Narrative, spearheaded on behalf of the Packard Foundation by the Communications Leadership Institute in Washington, DC.  Both organizations are based in Atlanta.
 
The Children’s Health Coverage Narrative Project is an effort to frame discussions among policymakers, advocates, the public and other stakeholders, establishing a common understanding of the central issues involved in children’s health coverage.  Specific messages are tailored to each state using a consistent “story line” and disseminated through the media, policy briefings, presentations to stakeholder organizations and other channels.
 
Universal health insurance coverage for children is a growing trend nationally as states acknowledge the benefits of providing preventive care and timely treatment at each stage of a child’s development.  Legislation introduced in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly during 2006 sought expansion of PeachCare for Kids and Medicaid eligibility as well as an affordable buy-in program.  Neither of the two bills passed, but similar proposals are expected to be introduced in 2007.
 
Georgia was selected along with six other states from among 30 applicants to receive the Packard Foundation grant based on the merit of submitted proposals.  Illinois, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin were the other grantees.  In addition to funding, grantees will receive training, technical assistance and supportive materials.
 


About Georgia Familyt Connection Partnership: Family Connection Partnership is a nonprofit, public/private partnership created by the State of Georgia and funders from the private sector.  We assist communities in addressing the serious challenges facing Georgia’s children and families.  We also serve as a resource to state agencies across Georgia that work to improve the lives of children and families.  Working jointly with Family Connection county collaboratives, we are implementing a vision for community-based decision making and accountability to build a better future for our communities.
 
About Voices:  Voices for Georgia’s Children is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization speaking up for the well being of the state’s children.  Our aim is to be a primary information source to assist the leaders and citizens of Georgia in making sound decisions on policy, investment and systems that serve children and youth.   In so doing, we can ensure that every child is safe, healthy, educated, employable and connected by family and community through supportive public policies as well as adequate public and private resources.
 
Atlanta-based Voices is a network member of the national organization Voices for America’s Children. 
 
About Communications Leadership Institute: Based in Washington, DC, the Communications Leadership Institute (CLI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nonprofits with the training and tools they need to increase their communications capacity and develop high-impact communications campaigns and programs. 
 
About the David and Lucile Packard Foundation:  The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is a private family foundation created in 1964 by David Packard (1912–1996), cofounder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lucile Salter Packard (1914–1987). The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the following program areas: Conservation and Science; Population; and Children, Families, and Communities. The Foundation makes national and international grants and also has a special focus on the Northern California Counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey. Foundation grantmaking includes support for a wide variety of activities including direct services, research and policy development, and public information and education. The Foundation does not make grants intended to influence legislation or support candidates for political office. Foundation assets were approximately $5.8 billion as of December 31, 2005. General program grant awards totaled approximately $200 million in 2005. The Foundation has a grantmaking budget of approximately $230 million in 2006.