Delaware’s lieutenant governor and one of its senators are seeking the federal government’s help for the more than 8,000 children eligible but not enrolled in the state-based health insurance.

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, who served as state insurance commissioner prior to being elected lieutenant governor, and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) announced that they have submitted a grant application to establish a coalition of state-, faith- and community-based groups that will conduct outreach to increase the number of children enrolled in Delaware’s Healthy Children program.

The Healthy Children program provides low cost health insurance for uninsured children as one of many Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIPs) across the nation. It is a state-federal program where the federal government provides matching funds to states to help insure children in need.

Families with incomes that are 200% of the federal poverty level and below are eligible for CHIP. Families pay a monthly household fee of either $10, $15 or $25 according to income.

If awarded, the grant application would fund CHIP outreach coordinators to serve as enrollment ambassadors and recruit volunteers to go door-to-door and work within church networks to increase awareness of and enrollment in the Health Children program, according to Denn’s office.

The goal of the partnership is to increase enrollment in the CHIP program by 20%.

Denn, the state’s former insurance commissioner, praised Carper’s support for the initiative as a “strong advocate for the faith community and for enrolling more children in health insurance.”

“With his help, we have an even stronger chance of being awarded these federal dollars, and we are looking forward to significantly increase health care access and coverage for Delaware’s children,” Denn said in a statement.

Tom Carper

The partnership includes the Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families, focused in Sussex County, the Interdenominational Ministers Action Council in the City Wilmington and New Castle, Del., and Voices Without Borders to do outreach in the Hispanic and Latino communities in Delaware.

“No child should go without health insurance and no parent should have to choose between paying their child’s health care bill or paying their bills,” said Carper. “CHIP is a positive investment – children with health insurance are healthier and more active throughout their lives. I am also excited about the partnership – churches and non-profits have life-long impacts on individuals and communities and we are happy they are involved.”

The grant application was submitted earlier this month, Denn’s office said, with funding made available through President Barack Obama’s reauthorization of the CHIP program earlier this year.