1. New Renewal Processes Med-QUEST launched new statewide renewal processes, including computer-generated prepopulated forms, on 1 June 2004. For more details on the passive renewal process for cases with children, go to: Passive Renewal Information. Mahalo nui loa to our Renewal Simplification Workgroup members who made the new renewal processes happen: Maile Aquino, Susan Chung, Andreas Cravalho, Michelle Danley, Noe Foster, Cynthia Goto, Lillian Koller, Kookie Moon-Ng, Mary Rydell, Cassandra Stewart, Pearl Tsuji, and Jeffrey Young. 2. Med-QUEST Updates Via Videoconference If you missed our State Coalition meeting, you can join Med-QUEST's repeat session via statewide videoconference. It is on Thursday, 1 July 2004 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The agenda includes details on the renewal processes, information on Med-QUEST's new programs, and a briefing on the Medicare Drug Program. The locations are: * Kakuhihewa Building: 601 Kamokila Boulevard #409, Kapolei * Keoni Ana Building: 1177 Alakea Street #305, Honolulu * Hilo State Office Building: 75 Aupuni Street, Basement * Lihue State Office Building: 3060 Eiwa Street, Basement * Wailuku Judiciary Building: 2145 Main Street, First Floor If you have questions, please call Alan Matsunami at 692-8074. 3. Farewell to a Friend and Consummate Advocate Ruth Ellen Lindenberg died in May, however I still hear her voice urging the Hawaii Covering Kids project to urgently enact our goals to help Hawaii's families. Ruth Ellen was a member of our Application Simplification Workgroup that published the buff 1100 form in October 2002 and she never lost her passion for helping children and youth. You can read more about her life in a Honolulu Star-Bulletin article at: "Kokua Council president always spoke her mind" 4. KIDS COUNT 2004 Data Book According to their most recent data (2001), eight percent of Hawaii's children and youth are uninsured compared to the national average of twelve percent. The recently released edition of this annual book also shows national incidents of low birth weight and the number of single parent families have risen and the sluggish economy is forcing cutbacks in child care, health insurance, and other programs that could undercut future gains. They highlight ten child well being indicators: * Low birth weight * Infant mortality rate * Child death rate * Rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide * Teen birth rate * Percent of teens who are high school dropouts * Percent of teens not attending school and not working * Percent of children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment * Percent of children in poverty * Percent of families with children headed by a single parent Their KIDS COUNT 2004 Database Online allows users to generate custom graphs, maps, ranked lists, and state-by-state profiles or download the entire data set as delimited text files. Their 2004 essay, which can also be downloaded from the site, focuses on the increasing number of “disconnected” youth without degrees or employment who face a tough transition to adulthood.