Community Access Project
The Community Access Project was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration from 2001 through 2004. We currently secure funds through the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation.The purpose of the project is to increase access to both Medicaid and KidCare programs among the underserved populations of Boone, Ogle and Winnebago Counties. We will provide health and human services information and linkage to resources withing the region

Community Access Project
Goals and Objectives
The Community Access Project relies heavily on the efforts of Community Health Workers (CHW's) to conduct outreach activities in the tri-county area to ensure healthy communities including:

1. Promoting and education the community in utilizing the primary care system.

2. Linking primary and preventive care, dental care, mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child care services.

3. Developing a shared information system through a Health Access Network among Medicaid and Kid Care providers.

4. Developing a model to find and enroll those eligible for Medicaid and Kid Care programs.


Community Access Project
Services Offered
1. Completion of Applications

  • KidCare/Family Care
  • Medicaid
  • Food Stamps
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Familes (TANF)
  • Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE)
  • All Other Applications as Needed

2. Referrals

  • Food Pantries
  • Primary Care Physitians
  • Clinics
  • Hospital Assistance
  • Other Community, Health and Human Service Organization

3. Follow-up
4. Advocacy

Public Health Insurance Organizations

KidCare is a State of Illinois program that offers health care coverage to children and youth through age 18, and pregnant women. KidCare can also help pay premiums of employer-sponsored or pricate insurance for children and yourh. Since its implementation in January of 1998, the response to the program has been positive. In April 1999, Govenor Ryan directed KidCare to significantly expand its outreach activities. The State of Illinoisadministers five KidCare plans: Kidcare Assist, KidCare Moms and Babies, KidCare Share, KidCare Premium, and KidCare Rebate.

FamilyCare is a State of Illinois Program that offers health insurance to parents living with their children 18 years old or younger and recieving or eligible to recieve KidCare. FamilyCare also covers relatives who are caring for children in place of their parents.

Medicaid is a jointly-funded state and federal program that pays for medically necessary services for qualified individuals, including those who may be disabled, blind or 65 years of age needing assistance paying medical bills.


Community Health Workers

Kristi Smith Kristis464@aol.com
Gerald Albert  

Host Sites
T he following organizations are hosting and facilitating the work of our Community Health Workers
Rockford Health Systems
2400 N. Rockton Ave.
Rockford, IL 61103		  
Winnebago County Health Department
Community-Based Support Groups
The Health Access Network, representing the major safety net health and human services providers, meets regularly.
For more information or to reach a Community Health Worker,
please call the Rockford Health Council at:
Phone: 395-5708