Healthy Learners began serving the students of Dillon School District Two in the fall of 2005 and expanded to include service to the schools in Dillon School Districts One and Three in the 2008-2009 school year. The program serves financially disadvantaged elementary, middle and high school students who are either uninsured or underinsured. This includes students who are covered by Medicaid. Transportation to and from school to appointments is a unique and vital link to the success of the Healthy Learners program.

 

An overview of the needs of the children of Dillon County outlines several important facts. The Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE) program states that 19.2% of residents under the age of 18 are uninsured. According to the State Department of Education's website, 76.72% of the children in Dillon County qualified for free or reduced lunch in 2008. The 2008 Kid's Count data reports that 70.6% of parents with children ages 6-17 years old were in the labor force, however 30.1% of the children in the same age group lived in poverty. Children in single parent families made up 64.8% of all the county's children living in poverty. Also according to Kid's Count data, 36.7% of students do not graduate from school.

 

Families with uninsured and underinsured children are often unable to meet the financial obligations of health care and the lack of transportation makes health care access even more difficult. The Healthy Learners staff is committed to eliminating health barriers to learning for the children of Dillon County by providing access to health care.

 

 

2711 Middleburg Drive - Suite 206 - Columbia, SC - 29204 | (803)454-0350 | info@healthylearners.com

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