CHOICE Community Outreach: Materials & Best Practices

CHOICE Community Outreach Manual: Materials and Best PracticesMarketing your LARC FIRST Practice

Community Outreach TableCHOICE study findingsQR code buttonsCandy to attract visitorsMethod models and info cut-outsTable runner with CHOICE logoMethod effectiveness cylindersQuestion wheelTABLE MATERIALSCommunity OutreachMethod Cylinders:Used to visualize the difference in effectiveness between LARC, refillable methods (birth control pills, patch, and vaginal ring), and no method use

Glass Cylinderspurchased at Target $15/each

Glitter Styrofoam BallsPurchased at Michaels Craft Store $100/total

For instructions on creating the cylinders, refer to: Instructions for Creating Method Effectiveness Cylinders

Birth Control Question Wheel:Provides an interactive element to the community outreach table

Wheelpurchased online at Amazon $70

Questions can be changed to cater toward different audiences, depending on the outreach event (i.e., adolescents, teachers, general public, health professionals) For a list of CHOICE wheel questions, refer to Community Outreach Wheel QuestionsMethod Models & Facts:Increases awareness about all methods of birth control in the community

MethodsReceived from pharmaceutical rep

Method Info cut outsprinted on white paper; colorful cardstock backing; laminated to preserve life

For printable versions, refer to Method Info Cutouts for Model Displays

Tablecloth & Runner:Increases aesthetic value of the outreach table and improves visibility of the organizations name

Tableclothpurchased online www.totallytablecovers.com $100Table cloth has corner darts to fit an 8 ft. table. Can be inconvenient if outreach table is smaller/larger

Table runnerpurchased from local graphic design company $100 Retractable Display:Vibrant colors help draw visitors to the table

36x80 purchased at local graphic design company $278

Comes with convenient travelling case CHOICE Results Poster:Technique used by CHOICE to disseminate preliminary study findings

PDF design created by CHOICE; replicated and enlarged on sustainable material by local graphic design company, $100

For the PDF version of CHOICE results, refer to CHOICE Study Findings in the Evidence moduleBest practicesCommunity OutreachFinding Outreach OpportunitiesInvolve entire staff in the searchSign up for community listservsConduct a web search for upcoming community health fairsNetwork for upcoming events while at an event (take and hand out business cards of/to other exhibitors)Keep record of events for the following year

Tracking Community OutreachKeep track of events attended on a simple Microsoft Excel or Word spreadsheet. For the CHOICE spreadsheet, refer to: Community Table Event Database

Have staff keep tally on paper of how many people visited the table during their shift at an event; enter into spreadsheet afterward

Keeping track helps decide whether to attend the following year, as well as helps to evaluate your marketing and outreach effortsOther LogisticsBest to have at least 2 staff persons available for each shift at an eventOutreach can help promote practice & gain patientsGive out free items such as candy, pens, buttons, or t-shirtsGreat opportunity for on-the-spot contraceptive counseling and myth debunking