Introduction
Communicating accomplishments of grant-funded tribal social service programs to desired audiences is important throughout a grant period and requires careful planning.
There are a number of reasons to communicate program information to different audiences. A program’s communication goals might include recruiting families to services, recruiting potential partner agencies, sharing strategies with the field of tribal or other social service programs, promoting the program with leadership, making a case for acquiring financial and other resources for program sustainability, sharing solutions a program has found effective, or simply raising awareness of a program or the issues a program is addressing.
This guide is designed to support Tribal TANF — Child Welfare Coordination (TTCW) grantees, other human services programs, and other stakeholders in effectively communicating information about their programs. It presents guidance and strategies that can be used to develop plans and carry out activities to communicate accomplishments of programs to their desired audiences.
Purpose
The main goal of this document is to provide guidance on communicating the findings, knowledge gained, or lessons learned from implementing Tribal TANF — Child Welfare Coordination (TTCW) programs as well as other human services programs. Sharing information about programs can increase understanding about programs, the services they provide, and can build support for that work.
Key Findings and Highlights
This guide highlights information relevant to planning and carrying out effective communication. It provides information on various aspects of communication planning, including key questions to ask during planning stages, a framework for developing communication goals, discussion of intended audiences, and considerations related to using and presenting data for communication.
Citation
Pirkko Ahonen, Kirsten Keene, and Erin Geary. (2020). Communication Guide for TTCW Grantees: What to Consider When Sharing Program Accomplishments, OPRE Report #2021-14. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.