Fredericksburg Leader

Stafford County  issued the following announcement on Aug. 3

The Stafford Department of Social Services is pleased to announce that it has received another grant from the Stafford Hospital Community Benefit Fund for the SHINE Program (Stafford's Health Insurance Enrollment). This event marks the tenth year that Stafford Social Services has received this grant. This year's award totals $15,000.

"We are very grateful for Stafford Hospital's continued invaluable support of our community, particularly those among us who need a little extra assistance to be successful," said Michael Muse, Director of Stafford Social Services. "This partnership has allowed us to help hundreds of people over the last ten years by having a part-time position focused on this program."

The purpose of the SHINE program is to enhance the Department's ability to provide eligible Stafford families and children with access to state-sponsored health insurance programs such as Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS). The funding enables Stafford DSS to hire a part-time 15-hour-a-week benefit programs specialist worker over the 12 months of the grant (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021). This worker devotes extensive one-on-one assistance and follow-up with prospective applicants in compliance with the Virginia Department of Social Service's state and federal regulations. The SHINE worker also works closely with Stafford Public School personnel and the Stafford Health Department to accept referrals on behalf of potential applicants.

SHINE targets expectant mothers and families with children under age 18 in households with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Applicants may obtain applications for Medicaid/FAMIS by picking up an application from the Stafford DSS main office at the George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554 or applying online at www.commonhelp.virginia.gov. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and is located on a route served by the Fredericksburg Regional transit system (FRED). Interested applicants may also request that an application be mailed to them.

Original source can be found here.