The CHIP program is intended for Utah families who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private health insurance.

"Our children are the future," Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert said Tuesday at the unveiling of the outreach campaign. "We as the state of Utah will benefit by having healthy young people."

The van will travel to each county in Utah, making stops at schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, grocery stores, community centers and local health departments, among other places, where families in need may be found.

Currently, 23,692 Utah children receive assistance through the CHIP program. With new funding, CHIP can insure about 45,000 children over the next year, which the governor hopes to accomplish through the outreach campaign. Along with the van tour, radio and TV public service announcements will promote CHIP through 2008.

Those interested can apply directly at one of the CHIP van stops. They can also apply on the Web at health.utah.gov/chip, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW or apply in person at any Department of Workforce Services office.

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Contributing: Andrew Marshall; The Associated Press

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com