Wellness & Health Education Fair on February 25 in Gary

Back on Track will offer onsite job interviews, free food and vaccinations, help with Medicaid re-determination

Statewide, 26.3 percent of K-12 students still need to get all required shots for school, according to the Indiana Department of Health. When the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends, many Hoosiers could lose their Medicaid benefits if they don't take action.

To help with both issues, Edgewater Health, MDwise and St. Timothy Community Church will host a Back on Track Wellness and Health Education Fair on Saturday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave. in Gary.

All routine childhood vaccinations, including measles/mumps/rubella, polio and HPV will be available, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shots for everyone.

During the federal public health emergency, no one lost Medicaid coverage. When it ends, many Hoosiers could lose their benefits. Taking action now could help them stay covered. Navigators will be on hand at the event to help individuals log on to FSSABenefits.IN.gov and manage their benefits.

In addition, there will be a brief education on the benefits of the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

Attendees will receive free food, school supplies, arts and crafts, and a chance to win door prizes of $50 gift cards from MDwise. Exhibitors include the following: Onsite Job Interviews

· Edgewater Health

· Gary Public Transportation Corporation Health care

· Aliveness Project of Northwest Indiana will provide HIV and Hepatitis C testing.

· Schererville Central Lion's Club will provide free vision screenings.

· Genoa Health Insurance

· Community HealthNet

· MDwise

· Gary Community School Corporation Education

· Gary Literacy Coalition will give away free books.

· Indiana University Northwest Other Services

· Indiana Legal Services will offer free civil legal assistance.

· St. Timothy's food pantry will provide a voucher for free groceries to the first 100 attendees.

· WorkOne will offer virtual career exploration.

Anyone who wants transportation to the event should call MDwise customer service at 800-356-1204. More information available at MDwise.org/backontrack.

An adult must accompany children younger than 18 with valid identification, such as a driver's license, identification card or passport. Insurance is not required for qualified children to get their shots, but organizers will ask if they have health insurance.

The Back on Track Wellness and Health Education Fair is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2023, at 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Avenue in Gary.

About MDwise MDwise is an Indiana-licensed non-profit health maintenance organization offering health care benefits to more than 410,000 Hoosier Healthwise, Healthy Indiana Plan and Medicare members. Since 1994, MDwise has provided access to compassionate, high-quality, coordinated health care and education to Medicaid and Medicare members in communities throughout Indiana. Ninety-seven percent of MDwise members surveyed would recommend MDwise to family and friends. MDwise.org.

Edgewater Health's mission is to provide comprehensive physical and behavioral health care services for individuals and their families in northwest Indiana. Culturally competent care specifically developed for each patient helps achieve goals and improves outcomes. In improving the lives of individuals, we hope to create a ripple effect that will contribute to the quality of life and overall health of our entire community.