How we can help...

When kids lack health insurance their on-going health is often compromised and medical and dental conditions can go untreated.  Often, a delay in receiving care can result in situations that become chronic and require immediate attention.  Our program helps families avoid unnecessary and costly trips to the emergency room by connecting kids to volunteer doctors and dentists who will treat them at no cost. A referral coordinator can schedule an appointment for a sick child usually on the same day.

Kids’ Net, a service provided through Healthy Kids Sonoma County, (www.healthykidssonomacounty.org) also helps families find solutions for future healthcare needs.  A certified application assistant helps enroll children into affordable insurance programs and secure a medical home for ongoing care.  While children are waiting for their health insurance coverage to become effective, Kids Net can continue to provide help with referrals to free or low-cost well-child, vision and dental exams.
 
In the first year of Kids’ Net operations there were over 500 referrals made for a free immediate health care visits throughout Sonoma County.  After finishing our second year, we are pleased to have served over 1400 sick children.  This service is only possible through the extraordinary contribution of time and services from the volunteer providers and organizations in our community.  Thank you all for this achievement.

How are we doing...

If you or someone you know has used the Kids’ Net program, please send us your feedback so we can improve and continue to provide the best care we can to those who need it most.

Contact us

If you would like to make a referral or learn more about becoming a volunteer provider with Kids’ Net please contact us today.

Referral hotline: 544-KNET or 544-5638
Referral faxline: 526-2918
email: knet@capsonoma.org (information only please) 

Marie Ibanez, Kids’ Net Program Manager
(707) 544-6911 x1013

Download Referral Forms

Download Volunteer Forms

Sharing Our Stories...

Dear Marie,

KID'S NET has proven to be a golden program that works! As a School Nurse, I am in constant contact with students, teachers and parents. And it is through ALL of these contacts that I learn about a myriad of students' health issues. So many children present with medical, dental and vision needs that have gone unmet. That's because parents have no idea where to take their kids for care, and more often, can't afford to pay for it anyway. KID'S NET has become my primary resource for bridging this health care gap. I have referred a ton of kids in need to KID'S NET and every single one of them has gotten the needed care, and more. It is a pleasure to work with this compassionate organization. For me, KID'S NET has put the heart back into medicine.

Sincerely,
Anne Piotrowski-Altman RN, MSN, FNP
School Nurse
 

Abraham’s Story

When Abraham turned a year old, he lost his insurance benefits and was temporarily uninsured.  Before his parents could secure new coverage for him, he woke up one morning irritable and fussy, with a moderate fever and worsening pain in his ears.  It was obvious to his parents that he needed to be seen right away.  Sandy Sakwa, a certified application assistant who was helping the family apply for Healthy Families referred the family to Kids’ Net for help right away.

That same day, a volunteer Kaiser Pediatrician diagnosed his ear infection and prescribed antibiotics to help relieve the aching symptoms.  In addition to a quick recovery, Abraham’s was able to get friendly and compassionate care in a familiar place; his medical home.  Utilizing Kids’ Net services helped Abraham’s family get the temporary help they needed and the relief of being a happy, healthy family again without the financial burden.