DEAR ABBY: It's hard to believe, but today in the United States more than 8.5 million children have no health insurance. They do not have access to annual checkups or eye exams, and are less likely to receive proper medical care for common childhood illnesses such as sore throats, earaches and asthma.

Covering Kids and Families, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is working to let parents know that low-cost and free health care coverage IS available through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid.

Programs are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Uninsured children are eligible for these programs, even if their parents work. Eligibility varies by state, but families earning up to $36,000 a year or more may qualify for these programs, which cover doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and more.

As parents prepare their children to go back to school, Covering Kids and Families is encouraging parents of uninsured children to enroll them in a low-cost or free health care coverage program now.

Thank you for helping me spread the word, Abby. -- RISA LAVIZZO-MOUREY, M.D., M.B.A., PRESIDENT AND CEO, ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION

DEAR DR. LAVIZZO-MOUREY: Thank YOU for your important letter. Parents, I urge you to call (877) KIDS-NOW ((877) 543-7669) to establish whether your children are eligible for these important programs.

DEAR ABBY: I'm 17, and just graduated from high school. I have been accepted at two awesome colleges, but I have no clue as to what my major should be. What I really want is to go to a vocational school and become a hairdresser.

Do you think I should blow off those colleges, Abby? I have to choose before September. -- GIRL WITH HAIR-RAISING PROBLEM

DEAR GIRL: Attend one of the "awesome colleges" for at least a year, and sign up for courses in business. Whether or not you choose to graduate, those courses will be helpful to you in starting and running your own business.

Discuss your goal with your college counselor. In addition to the business courses some knowledge of chemistry and marketing would also be valuable. Although you may think you want to concentrate on cosmetology, you might at some point want to come up with your own product line.

DEAR ABBY: I have been teased by my classmates since third grade. In the sixth grade, I tried to act like I could read palms -- and I also wore strong perfume. The teasing got worse.

I will be in seventh grade in the fall, and I'm wondering if I should still try to be an "actor," or be myself. One person likes me the way I am. His name is "Nate," and he is my boyfriend. Nate says it doesn't matter to him whether I put on an act -- or if I'm just myself. (I think he would prefer me to act more natural.) What do you think I should do? -- UNPOPULAR -- BUT LOVED

DEAR UNPOPULAR: Your friend Nate is wise beyond his years. Be yourself. It's a lot less work than pretending to be a fortune teller or someone you're not.

P.S.: If you enjoy acting, try out for the school plays and musicals. It doesn't take a crystal ball to predict you'll be sensational.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: "Abby's Favorite Recipes" and "More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $10 (U.S. funds)

to: Dear Abby -- Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in price.)

DEAR ABBY: I am a beautiful woman in my early 30s. My husband, "Brad," is a handsome man in his late 20s. We both dress stylishly, exercise regularly and eat healthy food. We turn heads when we walk into the room. We have been married for nearly five years and are devoted to each other. We prosper in all areas except in the bedroom.

Brad seems to have no interest in sex at all. None. Zip! Our honeymoon was nothing short of amazing. We waited until after our wedding to consummate our union. Now we make love about every six weeks, if that. This is not enough for me. I gently told him that I "need more," and asked, "Is it me?" Brad says it's not me and that he feels guilty. He apologized for hurting my feelings and blames his lack of interest on being "tired." (Brad does not work long hours.)

I have tried clearing our social calendar and doing all the household chores. I suggested he go to sleep earlier in the evening and take naps whenever he needs to. I have even tried being assertive in my Victoria's Secret lingerie. Nothing has worked. Help! -- GOING WITHOUT IN THE SOUTHWEST

DEAR GOING WITHOUT: This is a question that needs to be honestly explored both separately and together. The first step is to schedule an appointment for both of you with your physician.

Not all men have raging sex drives. Your husband may need his testosterone levels checked, or he may suffer from performance anxiety -- or have other issues. Your problem will not be resolved until you are both able to pinpoint exactly what the problem is. Please don't wait any longer.

DEAR ABBY: Four years ago, I hired a woman to help me with household chores I could no longer handle. (I am 83 and in poor health.) "Nelly" came for two hours every other week and was a great help. She started out at $10 an hour, and last year she requested her hourly rate be raised to $12.50. I obliged.

During Nelly's visits, I learned about her family: a "macho" husband who showed her little respect; a daughter with a jailbird boyfriend and a pack of kids; and several brothers who cheated her out of her inheritance from her parents.

I liked Nelly and I felt sorry enough for her to consider leaving her a bequest in my will. It was my way of saying thank you beyond what I paid her.

A few weeks ago, I noticed some jewelry and $150 in cash were missing from my bureau. Among the missing items were two rings that had been given to me by my late husband. They were of great sentimental value to me.

No one other than Nelly and I had been in my bedroom. I suppose the temptation was too much. Finally I asked her if she'd seen the missing items. She claimed she hadn't. However, the next evening she called and said that her husband no longer wanted her to work for me because she was "needed at home."

Should I confront her and demand that my jewelry and money be returned? Nelly cleans for other folks I know, and perhaps they need to be warned. -- PUZZLED AND ANGRY IN OKLAHOMA

DEAR PUZZLED AND ANGRY: Do not confront Nelly -- and do not do anything that would spread rumors. DO call the police and report the missing items. Tell them who was in your home at the time the items went missing and let them investigate. It's their job.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS, and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: I am 24, and after four years of dating have recently become engaged to "Zack." We are very much in love, and quite frankly, until lately I never could have imagined myself with anyone else.

Last week, one of my co-workers -- I'll call him Keith -- confessed to me that he's developed a crush on me -- and the more I think about it, the more I feel a mutual attraction. Keith has been a good friend over the years. We work out together on a regular basis in the company gym and have shared many lunches. Abby, I am confused. I find myself thinking about Keith more than my fiance.

Keith has always been easy to talk to. I wish Zack and I could have the conversations I'm able to share with Keith.

The last thing I want to do is wreck my engagement. How can I stop this confusion and once again focus on my relationship with my fiance? Help! -- S.O.S. ASAP IN THE SUNSHINE STATE

DEAR S.O.S.: Let's analyze this situation. Why did Keith wait until you were engaged to Zack before declaring his feelings? Could it be that once you were "taken" you became safe -- and not a threat to his freedom? Many men find women who are married, engaged, going steady, etc., easier to talk to and even more attractive than those who are available.

Do not allow yourself to be distracted from a relationship that has worked for four years. Limit your workouts with Keith and put your energy into developing better communication with Zack.

DEAR ABBY: For more than a year, I have been a live-in caregiver for a sweet 94-year-old lady I'll call Ethel. For the most part, Ethel has enjoyed good health. We have a lot of fun together.

Last week, when we went on our weekly outing to the beauty shop and lunch, I noticed how loud her voice was in the restaurant. She attracted the stares of several diners. Ethel has also begun chewing with her mouth open, completely unaware of how she appears.

I want to let her know that she isn't acting like the well-mannered lady she's been in the past, but I don't know how to tell her without hurting her feelings. Please give me some advice on how to broach the subject. There is only one restaurant in our small town, and Ethel dearly loves our weekly meal there. Thanks, Abby. -- EMBARRASSED IN NEW MEXICO

DEAR EMBARRASSED: Tell Ethel what you have observed about her hearing loss and schedule a visit with her doctor. She needs a referral to have her hearing checked. While you're there, mention to the doctor the change in her table manners. Any abrupt change in the behavior of a person is something his or her physician should know about.

Please don't be reticent or embarrassed. You are her caregiver, and it is your obligation to inform her physicians what you observe.

DEAR ABBY: I have a wedding etiquette question. Twice within the last month, I've been invited to a bridal shower without receiving an invitation to the wedding.

I have witnessed a social blunder or two in my day, but this takes the cake. Are you with me on this, Abby? -- DISGUSTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR DISGUSTED: To invite someone to a bridal shower who will not be invited to the wedding is a breach of etiquette. However, before becoming angry about it, please consider that this was ignorance on the part of the couple or the families.