Getting Ready for Tax Season
January 9, 2016
Heartland Health Center navigators sign up Chicago residents for health care at the United Methodist Church of Rogers Park.By Erica Fleischer, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Regional Operations
The ACF Regional Offices around the country are promoting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In Region 5, we’ve concentrated our efforts in Chicago neighborhoods with high rates of uninsured individuals.
One of these neighborhoods is Rogers Park. Rogers Park is the northernmost neighborhood in Chicago. It is an incredibly diverse neighborhood with more than 80 languages spoken among its residents. It is the home to many New Americans, a group that ACF is committed to welcoming and including in our communities. In addition to having many New Americans, Rogers Park has one of the highest rates of uninsured individuals in Chicago. It is also one of the few Chicago neighborhoods that did not have regular scheduled in-person assistance available.
Region 5 reached out to organizations throughout Rogers Park including:
- Refugee organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- Schools
- Head Start centers
- Community action agencies
We have worked closely with Heartland Health Centers to set up enrollments on location.
On Dec. 3 and 10, 2015, Heartland provided on-site assistance at the United Church of Rogers Park. The enrollment took place in the late afternoon as parents picked up their kids from the afterschool program hosted at the church. Region 5 also conducted outreach to other nearby organizations including the Mary Crane Head Start Center next door so that they could send their families to get enrollment help as well. Heartland was able to provide enrollment information and assistance to 25 people. Thus far, Region 5 efforts have secured enrollment assistance for 125 of Chicago’s uninsured in our targeted outreach areas.
ACA enrollment continues until Jan. 31. Region 5 is continuing to leverage its community partnerships to create enrollment opportunities in Rogers Park and other high need areas of the city of Chicago. Obtaining health insurance is an important opportunity now available to almost everyone. Bringing enrollment to where people already are makes it more likely that they will enroll. This is so important especially for New Americans who are navigating many new systems. Being in a familiar place can help make the process easier.
If you are looking to obtain health insurance, please visit Healthcare.gov
