CONTACT:

Jennifer Gallo, Community Public Relations Coordinator
302-479-1691

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2005

THE FAMILY & WORKPLACE CONNECTION TO HONOR LOCAL COVERING KIDS & FAMILIES
CHAMPIONS AS PART OF NATIONAL “COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK”

(WILMINGTON, DE)—The Family & Workplace Connection will honor The Boys & Girls Club of Delaware and Sutton Bus Company for their roles as “Covering Kids & Families (CKF)” champions during “Cover the Uninsured Week 2005.” “Cover the Uninsured Week” is a national movement, May 1-8, to highlight the growing numbers of working Americans who do not have health insurance. “Cover the Uninsured Week 2005” will kickoff on Monday, May 2, 2005 at noon at Seaford High School. Lt. Governor John Carney will read a Proclamation declaring May 1-8, 2005 as “Cover the Uninsured Week.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Delaware and Sutton Bus Company are being honored because of their dedication to their employees. They became involved with the Covering Kids & Families program because it allows their employees the opportunity to receive health benefits that they, as organizations, are unable to provide.

Covering Kids & Families (CKF) is a partnership between The Family & Workplace Connection and the Medical Society of Delaware that connects children, families, and child care staff to public health care programs in Delaware. Through its Child Care Health Consultant network, The Family & Workplace Connection identifies uninsured or underinsured children, families, and staff and facilitates their insurance enrollment process. This initiative is made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Family & Workplace Connection’s mission is to enhance the supply of quality care for children and elders and to help families effectively manage their work and personal life responsibilities.

The Boys and Girls Club of Delaware employs over 400 part-time employees at 15 branches, 15 child care sites, and 5 extensions statewide. Due to the high cost of health insurance, they are unable to offer health insurance benefits to their part-time employees. The Family & Workplace Connection has been able to assist several employees in facilitating the insurance enrollment process through CKF.

Sutton Bus Company employs approximately 65 full- and part-time employees. They service Red Clay and Christina School Districts, and several child care centers and summer camp programs in New Castle County year-round. Sutton Bus Company is also unable to provide health insurance benefits to part-time employees, due to the high cost. Several Sutton Bus Company employees have received health insurance because of the Covering Kids & Families program.

Media are welcome to attend the following events:

Monday, May 2, 2005 at Seaford High School, 12 noon:

Lt. Governor John Carney and Seaford Mayor Daniel Short will read the Proclamation declaring May 1-8, 2005 as “Cover the Uninsured Week” in Delaware. The Boys & Girls Club of Delaware will be honored for their dedication to their employees and the Robert Wood Johnson/Covering Kids & Families Campaign.

Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at Claymont Community Center, 10:00 a.m.:

Congressman Michael Castle will honor the Sutton Bus Company for their dedication to their employees and the Robert Wood Johnson/Covering Kids & Families Campaign.

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