Health Resources

National Pediculosis Association, Inc. www.headlice.org
Alcohol and Drug Information www.health.org

FAMIS
Virginia children aged 18 or under are eligible if they haven't had health insurance in the past 6 months (with some exceptions), are not eligible for Medicaid or Virginia State Employee Health Insurance, and meet low-income levels. For example, children in a family of four would be eligible if the family income is $36,200 or less.

A comprehensive review of the program is underway to come up with recommendations to ensure Virginia takes full advantage of the federal resources available. Monthly premium payments have been suspended until state officials can determine the appropriate level of cost sharing with the family. In addition, enrollment information is to be made available in every school in an effort to integrate FAMIS with the school lunch program.

Introducing a new section of the Famis website

For more information and an application for the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security program, call toll-free 1-866-873-2647, or visit their website at www.famis.org

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ON THE ROPES?

Once customary for children at nearly every grade level, gym class, in recent years, has been steadily scaled back. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 28 percent of the nation's high school students attended a daily physical education class in 2003. What's more, only the state of Illinois requires daily physical education for grades K-12.

The CDC maintains that this lack of physical education in the daily lives of so many children is cause for great concern, particularly considering that childhood obesity has doubled in the past 30 years. Another reason for concern, says the CDC, is that early experiences with physical activity help lay the groundwork for regular physical activity throughout a person's life. In other words, inactive kids will likely grow up to be inactive adults.

You can learn more about the barriers that prevent youth from getting more physical activity at school and at home by reading "The Decline of Physical Activity: Why Are So Many Kids Out of Shape?" an article that originally appeared in National PTA's "Our Children" magazine.
www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/oc_decline.asp

Also, the CDC provides parents, teachers, and schools with a wealth of information on physical education and physical activity among youth. Visit the Healthy Youth Physical Activity section of the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/physicalactivity/index.htm

Champion
Commonwealth Healthy Approach & Mobilization Plan for Inactivity, Obesity & Nutrition