Design a "media advocacy item that promotes "The role of the Media in the Promotions of Children Rights.". Describe your plan and provide support for why you would choose this form of media advocacy. Refer to the Goldkind (2014) article to see a discussio

Running head: Outreach Programs in Underprivileged Communities

Media Advocacy Plan: Outreach Programs in Underprivileged Communities

Arizona State University

SWG 632

Your Name

Outreach Programs in Underprivileged Communities 2

Youth Community Outreach Program Awareness Raising

Background:

Almost half of the youth living in Arizona are living below the poverty level. In impoverished

neighborhoods there are higher risks for violent crimes, substance abuse, behavioral concerns,

educational inequalities, health concerns and other areas of risk. The youth affected by these issues are

at risk. Although there are community outreach programs across Arizona they do not meet the needs of

the youth in underprivileged communities. The long-term outcome is to secure more investment

including funding for community outreach programs. Raising awareness and educating stakeholders on

this issue is an important part of this social change initiative. The goal of this media advocacy campaign

is to raise awareness of the scope and impact of impoverishment on youth to secure greater funding.

Purpose/Focus:

The purpose is to educate the community on the effects of poverty on youth. To inform those within

impoverished communities of the possibilities available with community outreach programs. To

encourage community members and local leaders to contact government officials and demand an

increase in funding. To convince government officials to allocate more funding to increase community

outreach programs to meet the need of poor communities.

Key Audience:

• Elected Government Officials

• State legislature

• Arizona Department of Economic Security

• Behavioral Health Agencies

• Juvenile Justice System

• Schools

• Local Churches

• Community Members (ie: parents, youth, local leaders)

• Current community outreach programs can help educate others on the positive effects of their

programs

Key Audience’s Communication Outlets:

• Email

• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc)

• YouTube

• Brochures

• News

Message Points

• Create awareness of the effects of low socioeconomic status can have on youth’s upbringing

including education, social skills, coping skills, and substance abuse

• Outreach programs teach pro-social skills, coping skills, independent living, healthy peer and

community interaction, and life skills

Outreach Programs in Underprivileged Communities 3

• Youth Outreach Programs can combat these effects by providing alternative to the negative

activities within their communities such as violent acts and other delinquent behaviors

• Youth outreach programs can combat poverty due to the positive impact its teachings can have on

areas such as education, pro social skills, and community relations

• Youth outreach programs can the potential to break the cycle of poverty and reduce the amount of

at risk youth

• Request support of government funding for youth advocacy programs by reaching out to local

government officials

Media Outlets to Convey Message

• Electronic Brochures sent to identified stakeholder agencies

o Reasoning: Easy access to information on issue, contact information and ways to help

• Emails sent to government officials inviting them to tour established community outreach programs

in low income communities

o Reasoning: Short emails to the point since officials receive an abundance of emails. Also, I

can track whether they opened them as well as responses

• Facebook Page (Page will detail the purpose of campaign and how to get involved, Send friend

requests to local agencies, churches, etc.)

o Reasoning: Reach younger audience. Provide information on issue and ways to make

change. Allow followers to share ideas and engage with like-minded peers

• YouTube Video including photos and footage of youth in community outreach programs

o Reasoning: Viewers can see the positive effects of community outreach programs

• Brochures delivered to local agencies and schools

o Reasoning: Reach individuals affected by poverty through frequently visited places such as

schools or behavioral health agencies

Budget

• Paper Brochures range from 14 to 23 cents

• $140 to $230 for 1000 brochures

• Produce YouTube Video $1000 to $2000

Outreach

• Document who was contacted, when outreach occurred, and which type of outreach was done

• Record responses of support or opposition

• Record number of open compared to sent emails

• Keep count of Facebook friends and followers

• Track which forms of media has the highest response rate