Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, CEO + President, Healthy Blue Louisiana
Every Louisiana parent knows the back-to-school scramble. You stretch paychecks for supplies, juggle sports physicals and doctor’s visits, and do what it takes so your children walk into the classroom ready to learn. At Healthy Blue Louisiana, we were proud to stand beside families and schools across our state to make that first day possible. But as every parent knows, getting children back to school is only the beginning. The real challenge is keeping them there — healthy, focused, and learning.
Why Attendance Matters
Nearly one in four Louisiana students misses enough school to be considered chronically absent. Absences add up quickly: a child who misses two days a month loses almost a month of learning by year’s end. Teachers cannot teach effectively when half the class is out, and parents cannot keep jobs or enjoy family time when they are constantly called away to care for sick kids. Behind those absences are real issues: asthma flare-ups, dental pain, anxiety, hunger. They’re not just inconveniences — they are barriers to learning and opportunity.
How to Remove Barriers so Families Can Focus on School
At Healthy Blue, we know parents already have full plates. That is why our efforts are focused on making it easier for families to keep children healthy and in school. Here’s what that looks like for families:
- Care at school: Many Louisiana schools now have school-based health centers, where children can see a nurse or doctor without parents missing work. Through partnerships with organizations like Healthy Blue, these centers are available right where kids already are. Ask your school if a clinic is available and how to sign the consent form.
- Food as medicine: Hungry kids can’t focus. Community food banks and pantries — often supported by partners like Healthy Blue — help families access fresh groceries through clinics and local programs. Sometimes the best “prescription” is nutritious food at home. Ask your healthcare provider’s office or local food bank about available resources.
- Help around the clock: Kids don’t get sick on a schedule. Most health plans — including Healthy Blue — offer a 24/7 Nurse HelpLine and telehealth services so families can talk to a nurse or doctor anytime, day or night. Parents should check the back of their health insurance card, save the number in their phone, and know that help is always just a call away.
- Support for mental health: Stress and sadness can keep kids home just like a stomach bug. Many health plans, including Healthy Blue, connect families with counselors and behavioral health providers, often with virtual options available on a smartphone or tablet. If you notice changes in your child’s mood or behavior, call the number on your health insurance card to get support.
What Families Can Do Right Now
You don’t need another long to-do list. Here are a few simple ways to keep children in class:
- Keep up with annual check-ups so small problems don’t become big ones.
- Save the Nurse HelpLine number in your phone for quick advice.
- Talk openly with your child about stress or worry, and ask for help early.
- Take advantage of school meals and food programs that keep kids strong and focused.
These resources are there to make life easier for parents — and to help kids spend more days in the classroom.
A Shared Commitment
Louisiana families have already shown their determination by getting children back to school. Now it is up to all of us — educators, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community partners — to help keep them there. Families, too, can play their part by reaching out and using the resources available. Healthy Blue Louisiana will continue working alongside these partners to break down barriers, so that when children are healthy and in class, parents can work, teachers can teach, and communities can thrive. Keeping kids in school is a shared responsibility, and the reward is a brighter future for every child in Louisiana.
#KeepKidsInSchool #HealthyBlueLouisiana #EducationMatters
