Page 18 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

Successful programs create marketing strategies early and execute often across a number of
channels: social media, newsletters and message boards of like-minded organizations and agen-
cies, charity and civic event calendars .

Whether you’re still in discovery phase or are ready to hit the road, be sure to engage with the
following groups:

Underserved community members
Once you’ve identified an underserved population, talk to them to understand what the obstacles
are to healthcare . Reaching out directly and really listening begins the trust-building process and
raises awareness about your program. It also helps your staff train in the cultural competencies
that will make them more effective in the future. Some programs, like Boston’s Family Van, call
this the “knowledgeable neighbor” model of service — a safe, inclusive and trustworthy environ-
6
ment that reflects the social and cultural norms of the community it serves.
Schools, faith-based and community organizations
Often, the community members most knowledgeable about barriers to healthcare access are
those holding local leadership positions . Faith leaders, school principals, nurses, superinten-
dents, lay community leaders and assistance providers are critical assets, for a number of rea-
sons:
• They’re in daily contact with the population you’re trying to serve, which means they un-
derstand how information travels through the population .
• They’re a natural marketing channel for your service, and can help organize fact-finding
missions and focus groups .
• Their missions may dovetail with yours, making them ideal site partners for service deliv-
ery .

Health officials and local politicians
Look for like-minded local officials who can help navigate the logistics of your program: access to
permits, identification of potential service sites and financial resources. The health commissioner
or other public health officials should be your first stop, as they can help identify neighborhoods
most in need of your service, provide history of past service efforts and work with you to navigate
local bureaucracy .

Healthcare professionals
Clinicians and hospital staff are invaluable resources during the early days of your program de-
velopment . They can help supply and verify the population health data you collect . They can
function as referral partners for clients on your mobile health vehicle (just be sure to establish
payment structure first, if applicable). And they’re a great source of experienced volunteers for
your program .

Academic partners
As you gather your data, consider working with clinical or non-clinical research partners to help
with population tracking and measurement . When it comes time to evaluate your own program’s
effectiveness, they can help organize your data into a compelling narrative for the public and key
stakeholders .

16 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE