N.Y. RESIDENTS: GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF HEALTH CARE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. Family Health Plus/Child Health Plus Enrollment with F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Inc.

New York State's Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus enrollment is available to qualified adults and children through F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Families Reaching In Ever New DirectionS), Inc. There is little or no out-of-pocket expense for qualified participants. Undocumented children are covered.

Looking for the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one this holiday season? Are you a New York State resident without health care? How about enrolling in Child Health Plus or Family Health Plus? Thats right health care. If you cant afford health care and your employer doesnt provide it for you, call F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Families Reaching in Ever New DirectionS) Inc. at 718-402-3900 for information on how to enroll in one of these programs for New York State residents. Its a gift thats not only priceless-its free (or available at little cost to you).

Its heartbreaking," says FRIENDS Executive Director Miriam Cotto, to hear: 'I havent been able to buy insulin since I came to the U.S. or 'I was so sick I had to go to the emergency room. With these programs that medication is covered, doctor visits are covered." Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus provide a wide range of health insurance coverage benefits, including prevention, primary care, emergency room and emergency ambulance services, hospitalization, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hemodialysis, prescriptions, diabetic supplies and equipment, and many other services.

Family Health Plus is for adults 19 - 64 years old who cant afford health insurance on their own and are not provided health insurance by their employers-but have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid. It is for residents of New York State who are United States citizens or fall under one of many immigration categories. Child Health Plus is for all children birth - 18 years old living in New York State. Un-documented children are covered.

FRIENDS staff goes out into the Bronx community-to churches, community events-wherever there are people who might need health insurance to spread the word about these programs. And you can help too. If you know someone who can benefit from this program, we urge you to give them the FRIENDS phone number-718-402-3900," says FRIENDS Deputy Director Donald Hallcom. So they, too, can get enrollment information." These are state-wide programs, so FRIENDS welcomes a call from anyone who is a resident of New York State needing health insurance. Ring in this holiday season by enrolling in Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus.

FRIENDS, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in the Bronx that brings four child-serving systems - education, juvenile justice, mental health, and child welfare - together for children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) and their families.