Medicaid offer in mail isn’t a scam

If you received a letter saying your child has been enrolled in Medicaid, even if you never applied for it, don’t worry. It’s not a scam.

The S.C. Department of Health and Human Services is working to make sure all children who should be covered under Medicaid are covered. Part of that effort involves matching Medicaid rolls with the families eligible for food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. All three programs have similar eligibility rules, yet HHS found 65,000 children in families enrolled for food stamps or TANF weren’t signed up for Medicaid.

Medicaid will cover doctors visits, hospital care, vaccinations and dental care for those children. If for some reason, you don’t want that coverage, call (888) 549-0820 to opt out.

But the state wants your children to be healthy, because healthy children grow up to be healthier adults.

Forum deals with independent living for disabled

People with disabilities are invited a forum Oct. 23 to discuss the special needs and services that would help them become more independent.

The forum will be at the Disability Action Center at 136 Stonemark Lane, Suite 100, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The opinions gathered at the forum will be used to help the South Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council develop the state plan for independent living. Information: (803) 217-3209

Fall Festival includes health services

Health screenings and flu shots are available Oct. 26 at the Capital Senior Center’s annual Fall Festival and Health Fair.

The event, which runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m., is free, and you can get a chili luncheon for $5. The Senior Center is at 1650 Park Circle, next to Maxcy Gregg Park, in Columbia.

Information: (803) 779-1971

Screening available for depression

Organizations across South Carolina offer free depression assessments this week to mark National Depression Screening Day, which is Thursday.

About 6 percent of adults suffer from a serious mental illness. Many will not seek help, often because of the stigma associated with having a mental illness. However, treatment is available, treatment works, and with appropriate treatment, recovery from even serious mental illness is possible.

If you would like to learn more about National Depression Screening Day or locate a free depression screening site, visit www.mentalhealth

screening.org.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health’s mission is to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses.

Breast cancer survivor speaks at Women’s Night Out

Breast cancer survivor and motivational speaker Dee Dee Ricks will be the keynote speaker at Lexington Medical Center’s annual Women’s Night Out event Tuesday at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38, Ricks went through extensive treatment, including bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction. Then, she channeled her energies toward treating cancer patients in underserved communities in New York City. She has developed a national coalition of patient navigators to improve standards of practice and compassionate care for underserved individuals.

A documentary of her breast cancer journey, “The Education of Dee Dee Ricks,” has been featured on HBO.

Proceeds from Women’s Night Out benefit the Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s Crystal Smith Fund, which helps women undergoing cancer treatment purchase needed supplies. The event begins at 5:45 p.m. with a health exhibit. Tickets are $35.

Information: (803) 791-2445 or www.lexmed.com

Afterschool program leads to running race

The Run Hard 5K Race on Nov. 10 is part of a program that encourages boys in grades 2-5 to lead healthier lifestyles.

Nearly 200 boys from 10 elementary schools in Lexington County began participating in an eight-week afterschool program, sponsored by Crossover Athletics, to prepare for the race. They have focused on peer pressure, perseverance, wise choices, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, honesty, respect and honor.

The 5K race will begin at Radius Church on Main Street in Lexington at 8 a.m. It is free to enter and open to boys who aren’t in the afterschool program.

Information: www.runhard.org or www.crossover

athletics.org

Do you have sugar diabetes?

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing are looking for African-Americans with sugar diabetes who are willing to participate in a focus group.

The project’s aim is to help health officials understand the everyday living experiences for those with diabetes, especially how they get information about the disease. The focus group meetings will last about 90 minutes and will be conducted in the local communities. Participants will get a free lunch and compensation.

Information: (866) 551-3010

Camp helps kids deal with grief

Brett’s Rainbow Bereavement Camp aims to improve the emotional, psychological and spiritual health of children who have experienced the death of a family member or significant other.

The 20th edition of the camp will be Oct. 27 at the White Oak Conference Center at 633 Mobley Highway, Winnsboro. It’s designed for children ages 5-18 but also includes day-long activities for parents or guardians of the children.

The camp is free thanks to community contributions to Palmetto Health Hospice. If you know a child who needs this type of special attention, applications for the camp are due by Oct. 22.

This year’s camp still is in need of volunteers. For more information about volunteering or to request an application, call Karen Brazell, Brett’s Rainbow Camp director, at (803) 296-3331 or go to www.PalmettoHealth.org.

Compiled by Joey Holleman