A Legislative Resolution Introduced By Speaker Joe Straus Recognizes Innovative Care Van Program's 20th Year of Providing Free Childhood Immunizations

82nd Texas Legislature Recognizes Care Van's Accomplishments.

Richardson, Texas (April 28, 2011) — The Caring for Children Foundation teamed-up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) to announce that its Care Van Program has been recognized by the 82nd Legislature for 20 years of service to Texas children.  Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, authored the resolution which not only focused on the Foundation's original immunization program, but also recognized its expansion, which led to the Foundation's launch of community collaborations to provide preventive dental exams and sealants to more than 53,000 pre-school and elementary school children since 2009.

The Care Van is a program of the Caring for Children Foundation, which was created as a non-profit organization in 1991.  Today, this innovative program has grown to a fleet of ten vans serving eight regions of the state, and as of January 2011 had screened/immunized more than 500,000 medically underserved children and provided more than 830,000 immunizations.

"We are proud that our relationship with the Caring for Children Foundation goes back to its founding, says Darren Rodgers, president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and also president of the Caring for Children Foundation.  "We've had the honor of being the underwriter for all the Foundation's administrative expenses, allowing 100% of all other donations to go directly to support their mission.  That means this recognition by the Texas House of Representatives is a big honor for Blue Cross, the Foundation and the many volunteers who help the program work effectively statewide."

The Caring for Children Foundation launched the Care Van Program in 1997 to focus on improving access to immunizations in Texas communities by conducting immunization events at schools, churches, community centers, restaurants, parks and fire stations.  One of the keys to the Foundation's success has been a commitment to cooperation and coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services, local health departments, the Texas Medical Association, individual health professionals, hospitals, civic groups, churches, school districts, fire departments and volunteers -- all of which have provided invaluable resources and staffing to accomplish the results of the Foundation

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas -- the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 4.6 million members in all 254 counties.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall.  Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Pictured left-to-right:  Speaker Pro Tem Beverly Woolley; Darren Rodgers--President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas; Craig Jeffery--Executive Director, Caring for Children Foundation of Texas; and Speaker of the House Joe Straus were present for the official recognition of the Care Van Program's 20th year of service in providing free childhood immunizations across Texas.

For Additional Information:
Website:  www.BCBSTX.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BCBSTX 
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