1. Med-QUEST Enrollment Data May 2002 statistics show there are 83,057 children and youth (ages 0 through 18) enrolled, including 8,054 in CHIP and 2,474 in the Immigrant Children's Program. The complete results for year three of the Hawaii Covering Kids project can be downloaded from our web site at http://www.coveringkids.com/news/Section_37.asp. 2. Ask Aloha United Way Goes To Three Digits (211) Patience and persistence has paid off for Ask AUW--they finally have government approval for their new three-digit telephone number that operates statewide. AUW is currently doing a "soft sell" to work out bugs and get all wireless carriers linked. However, we will order new outreach materials with this number: 211. That's all you have to press from your telephone. Plus beginning July 15 they will be live 24/7/365. (Note: The old numbers will continue to work indefinitely but the new one is much easier to remember). Want more details? Go to "Aloha United Way to Launch 211 Hotline." 3. Communications Conference Call #2 on June 11 The next Covering Kids Communications Technical Assistance Conference Call, "Media & Partner Outreach 101: Making Your Outreach Activities Media-Friendly and Soliciting Local Help in Spreading the Back-to-School Message," is Tuesday, June 11, 2002, at 2 p.m. EDT. Expanding on tips offered in the Back-to-School overview call on May 14, GMMB&A will offer more in-depth direction on planning a successful media event and news outreach strategy. From navigating event logistics to selecting appropriate spokespersons, this call will describe how Covering Kids coalitions and partners can leverage their outreach efforts by making their Back-to-School events and outreach attractive to the media. GMMB&A staff will introduce a timeline for media outreach planning, discuss the components of a compelling media event/photo-op, and share tips for developing news lists. Staff will also discuss methods for engaging local businesses and organizations in Back-to-School efforts. To join the conference call, please dial 877-679-9051 and ask for the Covering Kids Technical Assistance Call. To hear a playback of the call between June 11 and 25, dial 800-615-3210, access code 5909864. 4. Hawaii Children Healthy Hawaii ranked 15th among the 50 states in a national report that assessed child well-being, even as it bucked a national trend of improving infant mortality rates. The 2002 Kids Count Data Book also found that Hawaii lags in areas of families in which no parent has a full-time, year-round job and teens who neither work nor go to school. The state, however, leads the nation with the lowest child and teen death rates. Referring to those two indicators, Hawaii Kids Count project director Marcia Hartsock said: "That's great news that we're keeping our kids safe. On the other side of the balance, however, we're the only state that has seen an increase in the infant mortality rate in the last decade." The slight increase in infant mortality rate here, or the number of deaths in the first year of life per 1,000 births, may be because Hawaii is more meticulous in recording every newborn that draws a breath as a live birth, said Hartsock, who works at the Center on the Family at the University of Hawaii. Hawaii's infant mortality rate worsened to 7.0 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1999 from 6.7 in 1990. The national infant mortality rate improved, dropping to 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births from 9.2 in the same period. Last year, Hawaii ranked 16th in overall child well-being. This year, Minnesota topped the list and Mississippi ranked last. The report released May 23 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that most American children were better off in 1999 than they were in 1990. Nationwide, seven of the 10 indicators of child well-being improved during that time, including teen birth rate and the rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide and suicide, which improved 24 percent. Hartsock said Hawaii's improvements in child and teen death rates can be attributed to stricter laws and policies in seat-belt use and safety restraints. "Since so many child and teen deaths are by motor vehicle accidents, that, I think, has really helped," she said. Hartsock also found encouraging Hawaii's above-average enrollment of 3- to 5-year-olds in kindergarten or education-based nurseries. In 1999, 71 percent of Hawaii's youngsters were enrolled, compared with 67 percent nationwide. "I think that shows a real interest in education and getting our kids off to a good start," she said. She said Hawaii's children are faring well in general terms, but there is still room for improvement. [Lisa Asato, 06/07/02, Honolulu Star-Bulletin] Note: The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2002 Kids Count Data Book, which highlights 10 measures of child well-being indicators on education, health, and economic conditions of families can be viewed and downloaded from the Foundation's web site at Kids Count.