Vermont Recruitment Project Family Rural Recruitment and Retention

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Vermont Recruitment Project Family Rural Recruitment and Retention

Vermont Recruitment Project Family Rural Recruitment and Retention

Types of Recruitment Retention Activities Work with current foster parents to show appreciation. Saturation

Types of Recruitment Retention Activities Work with current foster parents to show appreciation. Saturation Placing marketing materials throughout the recruiter’s districts. This is done at least once a week in each district. Recruiters are required to keep track of their material distribution. This method is used to distribute the materials and also make connections in the community. Open Forums Open forums are used in public places such as libraries or hospitals and use the Tabletop displays created by Diane Dexter. This is a way to reach out to the community. These events are advertised in the newspaper and newsletters. This is a way to reach the general public. Table Talks A recruiter works with a foster/adoptive parent to invite friends or co workers into their home and the recruiter explains foster care in an intimate setting. The recruiter brings information, food and door prizes. This can also be done at businesses, schools and/or churches.

Types of Recruitment Events The recruiters go to various events throughout their districts with

Types of Recruitment Events The recruiters go to various events throughout their districts with materials, this is another way to reach the general public. Advertising This is when the recruiters will organize a press release, send out radio or television PA’s, write letters for newsletters, send out letters for Town Reports or various other ways to get the message out in written or oral format. Word of Mouth The recruiters are out everyday talking about foster care and what this means and how people can help. They will wear their buttons or vests if when they are not working.

Marketing Outcomes In March 2004, Project Family (Rural Recruitment and Retention), commissioned Research Partners,

Marketing Outcomes In March 2004, Project Family (Rural Recruitment and Retention), commissioned Research Partners, a division of Marketing Partners, Inc. , to develop a formative research program for this grant. A qualitative and quantities research plan was designed to provide solid information for the most effective social marketing and public recruitment strategies. The average group of foster/adoptive parents: • were between the ages of 35 and 54. • Married couples made up almost three quarters of the foster/adoptive parents, twenty five percent of the families were in a civil union, partners and/or single. • Education was not determining factor foster/adoptive parents with a split from high school diploma to graduate level degrees. • Household income was another factor which was not significant in determining becoming a foster/adoptive parent with a range of less then $25, 000 to $80, 000 or more. There was a perceived lack of need for foster parents. This was the overall assumption for all non foster parents of the survey.

Recruitment Targets Leisure Activities: camping/hiking gardening community/civic activities knitting/needlework recreational vehicles boating/sailing snow skiing

Recruitment Targets Leisure Activities: camping/hiking gardening community/civic activities knitting/needlework recreational vehicles boating/sailing snow skiing hunting/shooting/fishing road or mountain biking reading Media Preferences: local newspapers cable TV channels: Discovery, CNN, Lifetime and TLC Radio channels were: Alternative Modern/Adult Contemporary and Vermont Public Radio Saturation Places: grocery stores public places churches internet

Target Audiences Down to Earth Families These families are called “Down to Earth” because

Target Audiences Down to Earth Families These families are called “Down to Earth” because of their characteristic openness, tolerance, and willingness to take on an at -risk child. They many be well suited for short and longer term foster care, providing permanency if required, helping older teens in transition, and co-parenting a child with birth family members. Demographics: Married, age 35 -55 One parent stays at home or has a flexible schedule Most have children in the home Community-orientated May be blended or “second” families Parent may have been foster or adoptive parents Psychographics: Altruistic-want to give back to the community Believe strongly in “family” Know other foster/adoptive families “Always have room for one more” “The Christian thing to do” Want to take on a challenge to bring meaning to their life

Target Audiences Gay and Lesbian Couples They are in long term, stable relationships and

Target Audiences Gay and Lesbian Couples They are in long term, stable relationships and have faced the kind of adversity that will allow them to relate to children with special needs. They may be well suited for adopting older children who are waiting for families, doing temporary foster care, and helping older teens in transition. Demographics: Age 35+ Professional and college educated Income 50+ May have children from earlier in their life Psychographics: Aware of prejudice and bias in their face Looking to complete a family and become more legitimate in community Altruistic-feel they have something to offer Influenced by friends and family with children or who want them to have children

Target Audience Older Couples/Empty Nesters While our older couples share many of the same

Target Audience Older Couples/Empty Nesters While our older couples share many of the same characteristics as our other “families”, most have already raised their own children who are grown. They are older and have already been “broken-in” by their children, they are less likely to look to a child to satisfy their personal needs and are better able to focus on the needs of the child. They may be well suited to provide emergency homes, doing temporary foster care, helping older teens in transition, serving as mentors, and co-parenting a child with birth family members Demographics: Married, age 55 -70 May be retired or semi-retired, volunteering Most have older children who are grown Tend to be community orientated, may be affiliated with a church group Psychographics: Want to give back to community Have successfully parented and are not ready to stop Believe strongly in “family”

Target Audience Single Women and Single Men This group as a whole tends to

Target Audience Single Women and Single Men This group as a whole tends to have higher levels of education and thus higher single incomes from professional jobs. They may be gay or heterosexual. They may be well suited for doing temporary foster care, serving as mentors, and helping older youth in transition. Demographics: Age 25 to 55 Professional and college educated Income of 35 K+ May be divorced, may have grown children Psychographics: Want a family to fill a void Have a specific connection with a child/youth Influenced by friends and family with children Altruistic—feel they have something to offer Want an older child so it doesn’t disrupt career as much

Target Audience Professional Parents This group tends to have high level of education and

Target Audience Professional Parents This group tends to have high level of education and thus high incomes from professional jobs. Their education is primarily in the “caring” fields. They would be well suited to providing assessment and emergency homes. Demographics: Age 25 to 35 Professional Jobs College Educated Do not yet have children of their own Psychographics: Idealists but pragmatic Have a common sense approach Can work as part of a team but still be independent Are open to alternative thinking Do not have a sense of entitlement Want to give back to community—using their skills, knowledge and training

Making it Real!! The community as a whole needs to understand there is a

Making it Real!! The community as a whole needs to understand there is a need for foster/adoptive parents and respite providers. They need to hear the stories. They need to know they will make a difference.

Conclusion There needs to be a team They need to be on the same

Conclusion There needs to be a team They need to be on the same page The team needs to consist of: professionals, foster/adoptive parents and respite providers Everyone needs to know : It takes almost two years for someone to act on the recruitment they see!