The California Children’s Health Initiatives (CCHI) operate in 29 counties across California, and have cumulatively covered over 165,000 previously uninsured children through locally funded Healthy Kids programs since the first CHI was established in 2001.  Additionally, CHIs actively connect over 125,000 children each year to Healthy Families and Medi-Cal.

In 2001, Santa Clara County launched the first CHI and local Healthy Kids program, followed closely by Alameda, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. To date, there are 26 counties who operate Healthy Kids programs, with additional counties offering CalKids benefits.

Children’s Health Initiatives are characterized by leadership through a diverse coalition of community stakeholders who emphasize outreach and enrollment into Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. Additionally, locally funded Healthy Kids programs make access to affordable health coverage possible for families who would otherwise lack access to state and federal programs due to income or immigration status.

With firsthand experience and success enrolling children into public programs, as well as administering local health coverage programs, the CHIs have shown that coverage for all children in California is a do-able goal we can and must achieve now.