2010 National Health Center Week takes place August 8-14, 2010
Dear Health Center Colleague:
The Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) encourages you to participate in this year’s National Health Center Week on August 8 - August 14, 2010.
We all celebrated when health care reform legislation finally passed. National Health Center Week (NHCW) is our opportunity to take that celebration to our communities and to underscore the important role our health centers will play in implementing health care reform throughout New York State and the nation.
The theme for NHCW in New York State is Growing and Strengthening New York State’s FQHCs Through Health Care Reform. (We’ve given the NACHC theme a decidedly New York State twist.).
National Health Center Week is our week, our opportunity to showcase the great work we do and the tremendous work we will do as we implement health care reform throughout New York to increase the people we serve from 1.3 million in 2010 to 3 million in 2015.
CHCANYS staff look forward to supporting you with NHCW and are available to assist you with ideas and technical support as you plan your events. Please feel free to contact Libby Post at 518/438-2826 or lpost@chcanys.org. with any questions.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Swain Chief Executive Officer
National Health Center Week Events
»» The first thing we need you to do is post your NHCW events at this link: 2010 NHCW Add Your Event ««
»» To see NYHCW events hosted across New York State follow this link: 2010 NYS NHCW Events ««
Marketing Resources
NHCW WEBINAR
CHCANYS and NACHC held a National Health Center Week webinar on Tuesday, July 6th. The webinar was well attended and the slides are available by clicking: HERE. If you’d like to view the webinar, click: HERE. The Recording ID you’ll need is NHCW2010.
NEW LOGO
CHCANYS has developed a new logo for NHCW which reflects our state theme: Growing and Strengthening New York State’s FQHCs Through Health Care Reform.
Our Marketing and Communications firm, Communication Services, can personalize and produce the banner for your health center for $125 plus shipping. For $31.25, Communication Services can also personalize the flyers and posters for your health center sent to you as final PDF file, which you can then print. For more information, contact Libby Post at (518) 438-2826 or email lpost@commservices.net.
Public Relations Resources
Below are resources your health center can download and use to help promote your events and centers.
Here are some sample activities you can start thinking about doing for NHCW.
Health Fair Demonstrate the health center focus on prevention by offering fitness tests, immunizations, blood pressure and other screenings, etc. These events can be held on-site or elsewhere in the community, at a shopping mall or a church, for example.
Open House or Reception Introduce visitors, including local dignitaries, to key staff and board members and provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about health center programs targeted to primary care and prevention. A reception also provides a wonderful opportunity to thank partners and supporters for their service and commitment.
Public Forum Engage public officials, local health authorities and representatives of community groups and health organizations to participate in public dialogue or a town meeting about pressing community health issues.
Fundraiser A dance, auction, raffle or concert can help to celebrate health center week and raise community awareness and funds.
Proclamation Request that the Mayor, County Executive or other local leader officially proclaim "Health Center Week" and then present the proclamation at a health center event. A sample letter of request and proclamation are attached. Please feel free to insert information specific to your locality and health center. CHCANYS has submitted a request to both Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg. A sample proclamation can be found by clicking here.
Newspaper, Radio or Television Event Coverage If you are planning an event, inform the local newspapers, radio stations and television stations of the key details, including name of the event, date and time, location and names of local or other dignitaries who will be in attendance. If services such as screenings will be offered, include information about those services. Sample media releases can be found by clicking here.
Newspaper, Radio or Television Issue Coverage Coverage of health care issues — including cost and quality — can be found in most of the nation's newspapers. To the extent that there is a linkage between a topical issue and a local angle — number of uninsured, health care disparities, prescription drugs — use it to draw community members into Health Center Week.
Coordination and planning are essential. Local media are more likely to cover events if elected officials or other local dignitaries are in attendance. Elected officials will be more likely to get involved if they are invited in advance, can expect to be formally recognized, and expect to find a large crowd in attendance. Community members are more likely to attend if they have heard and read about the events in the local media and if they know that local officials will be in attendance. The earlier the word is out and the more avenues used to advertise, the better.
