Of the nearly 44 million Americans without health care coverage, 8.5 million are children. Many of these children are eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage through Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), but their parents may not realize they qualify.

Please join us in supporting the Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign in August and September. Beginning Tuesday, August 3, activities will take place across the country to help inform families about available health care coverage, and enroll eligible children and parents. Last year, nearly 2,000 activities were held across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. If you are interested in becoming involved in an activity near you or would like to plan a Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign event, contact Alison Gould at (202) 572-2978.

Free materials are available. Visit www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org/communications/bts/kit to view and download the Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Action Kit, which contains helpful tips, timelines, template media materials and more. Free posters, fliers, bookmarks and other materials that urge parents to call 1(877) KIDS NOW to find out if they are eligible for programs are also available for you to distribute. Visit www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org/communications/materials/order to order.

Minority Health Professions Foundation encourages you to get involved and help hard-working families cross getting health care coverage off their back-to-school checklist.