Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is proud to be the statewide lead sponsor of The Caring Foundation of Texas, a 501c3 non-profit organization, covering 100% of its administrative costs. Working with the Foundation is a natural extension of the company’s proud history of providing preventive healthcare services to uninsured and underserved residents of Texas.
According to Every Texan organization, 2021 census data showed that, “Texas is the state with both the largest number and percentage of uninsured residents in the United States.” Financial, geographic, and time barriers prevent Texans from receiving healthcare in addition to lack of insurance coverage. Uninsured and underserved families need flexible healthcare options in the communities where they live, work, and play. The Caring Foundation of Texas has two free and versatile programs to remove these barriers: the Care Van® Program and the School-Based Immunization Program.
Since 1997, the Care Van® Program has given more than 1.4 million immunizations to Texas children, a significant achievement in preventive health. In 2006, dental outreach collaborations were added which have helped reach over 400,000 children in targeted regions to provide free oral health services. From 2018-2020, the Foundation launched initiatives to bring adult preventive health screenings and flu vaccines for the entire family. Most recently, the Foundation has expanded collaborations with Independent School Districts to develop onsite immunization clinics that provide stability for children to receive free immunizations at school.
The Caring Foundation of Texas aims to improve the health of Texas families by connecting them to preventive health services and education in their communities. The Foundation’s network of partnerships is working together to remove barriers to access to care. In a state as big as Texas, the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Together with its partners, the Foundation is committed to building a healthier Texas.
For more information and ways to donate please visit the Caring Foundation of Texas website Carevan.org
The mobile Care Van® program, launched in 1997 and operates 11 Care Vans across Texas to remove geographical barriers to health and wellness through collaborations with community partners. Initially focused on immunizations, the program has evolved to include other preventive health services for children and adults. These services include kidney screenings, dental services, and health education throughout the state.
To continue to meet the needs of the community, a new School-Based Immunization Program was established in 2020 to support school districts with significant immunization deficiencies. This collaboration ensures that students have ongoing access to preventive care throughout the school year in a more convenient location that will be sustainable for school years to come. The Caring Foundation of Texas’s school-based initiative provides guidance and support in building the immunization program while the districts have the freedom to tailor the program to their individual needs. With the school-based clinics, parents are reassured that their children will stay healthy, thriving, and ready to learn.
Oral Health
Every child deserves a healthy smile. Texas Department of State Health Services Oral Health Improvement Program identified that 53% of kindergarteners and 67% of third graders have tooth decay. The Care Van® has partnered with San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Waco Family Medicine, and the Department of State Health Services to provide oral health services. The pandemic limited children’s access to school-based health services. As clinics have restarted, there is an increased demand as the teams have observed a greater number of children with later staged decay than in previous years. In 2022, over 14,000 dental screenings, sealants, and fluoride treatments were administered to preschool and school-aged children.
Health Screenings
Prevention is the key to health and wellbeing. Obtaining screenings is one of the most important steps to maintain health. Screenings help find problems early when they may be easier to treat. While simple in nature, obtaining screenings at recommended intervals can be difficult when access to care is limited. In rural Texas communities, this is further complicated by geographic distance to providers. The Caring Foundation of Texas partners with providers to deliver mobile preventive health screenings and education. In collaboration with the Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) in El Paso, City of El Paso, Immunize El Paso, Texas Tech University Health Science Center Odessa, and Amistad Health, the Foundation has expanded Care Van® services to include health assessments, lab testing, consultation, and education free of charge. These screenings include evaluation of anthropometrics, blood pressure, and glycemic control among other screens when appropriate for a comprehensive snapshot of health status. Participants receive education on lifestyle modifications and referrals for any additional evaluations recommended. In 2022, the Care Van® program provided nearly 31,000 preventive health screenings and education in addition to the immunization initiatives.
Kidney Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37 million US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease and 1 in 10 adults are not aware. The Caring Foundation of Texas and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) have partnered to provide the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) Healthy community-based initiative to educate on kidney health. KEEP Healthy is a free program that provides quick assessments to identify early signs of kidney disease. Screenings include body mass index, blood pressure checks, and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) urine tests for at-risk individuals. In addition to screenings, KEEP Healthy provides clinical consultation, educational resources, and referrals to individuals over 18 years of age.
In 2022, the National Kidney Foundation traveled over 7,000 miles in the Care Van providing Keep Healthy services to 3,708 individuals in Austin, Azle, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, San Angelo, San Antonio, and Waco.
For more information and ways to donate, please visit the Caring Foundation of Texas website Carevan.org
