Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 12, 1995 TAG: 9509120052
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Many of the New River Valley's health care providers are coming to the aid of indigent children through the Comprehensive Health Investment Project.
But the 2-year-old project, which serves more than 200 children in 106 families in the valley, is running out of money.
A three-year start-up grant will be exhausted within a year, and CHIP administrators are looking for support from community organizations.
"Communities are expected to help with the funding since it does help communities," said Lynn Keister, a nurse who is CHIP coordinator.
Support can come from churches, service groups and agencies, governments, and any other organization, she said. Many of the families in the program, which serves Montgomery, Pulaski, and Giles counties and Radford, have incomes that are too great for Medicaid but are not enough to afford private insurance. As result, some area children grow to school-age without having check-ups, dental care or up-to-date vaccines.
CHIP is an expensive program because it provides medical care in the homes of clients. Travel expenses and the time required for a visit from a nurse and social worker add up after a while, Keister said. The program offers developmental screenings, parent education, information about safety and nutrition, and immunizations.
Financial support from the community is welcome, but so is clothing, home repair, school supplies and other items, Keister said.
The Montgomery County Kiwanis have bought smoke detectors for county CHIP families, and area churches have provided meeting space. Other churches have provided Christmas and food for families.
Twenty-nine physicians, two nurse practitioners and 10 dentists are active in CHIP. Call 921-4737, 980-0431 or 381-6264.
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