The
Local Kids program of the Healing the Children
focuses its attention on uninsured children living
in pockets of poverty throughout Central Florida.
Children, who are without access to healthcare
because of a lack of financial resources, receive
donated medical care through our network of volunteer
physicians, nurse practitioners and physician
assistants. Most of these children come from households
were both parents are working, but are unable
to afford the rising costs of healthcare, or are
not aware of the what is available in the community.
•
Community Health Fairs and Events
Families come and learn about preventative health,
nutrition & exercise, community resources,
etc. At most fairs, children are given free physical
exams and vision screenings. By collaborating
with other healthcare and social service providers
we have been able to provide free glasses, immunizations,
eligibility screenings for other programs and
referrals to pediatricians. These events focus
on healthy living and education through hands
on activities in a fun environment.
•
Children’s Free Medical & Dental Clinics
Free acute medical care for uninsured children
0-18 yrs living at or below 150% of poverty are
offered in various locations throughout Florida.
Clinic locations and schedules are dependant upon
volunteer availability and funding.
•
Medical/Surgical Volunteer Network
Volunteer pediatric specialists are recruited
to provide donated surgical and specialist care
for uninsured children. Healing the Children has
arrangements with hospitals throughout Florida
and Georgia to coordinate charity care. Ancillary
services such as laboratory, imaging, pharmacy,
etc are donated when the services are available.
•Who
is Eligible: Children 0-18 years of age
who are uninsured and ineligible for any type
of insurance including Medicaid and Kid Care,
and who are living at or below 150% of poverty.
In general, we cannot help those children who
are terminally ill, who require extensive and
on-going care or who require experimental treatments.
•Medical/Surgical
Volunteer Network Referral Process: The
child’s pediatrician or primary care provider
should complete a referral form that includes
basic demographic information and a description
of the diagnosis and needed specialty/tests. Mail,
email or fax to the referral to Healing the Children
for review. Once eligibility is determined, we
will begin the process of recruiting a specialist,
hospital, laboratory or imaging center to treat
the child. There are some specialties that are
not available in the Central Florida area. If
this is the case, we will work with the family
to discuss alternate locations, transportation,
and housing. Eligible children must be referred
by a pediatrician or primary care doctor, if the
child does not have a regular source of routine
care, HTC staff will work with the referring agency
to establish a medical home for the child.
•Please
note: No referrals to specialists, laboratories
or imaging centers will be made prior to the establishment
of a medical home. In order to provide medical
malpractice coverage for volunteer providers,
there are forms that must be completed by trained
staff and signed by the parent prior to the appointment
being scheduled. Availability of care is based
on donations, HTC cannot guarantee a specialist
or ancillary service will be available when needed.
