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THE HOURS WE CAN'T BE HOME
CHAPTER 6: PUBLIC RELATIONS

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7

Carole Eller
Extension Educator, Youth and Resource Development
Cooperative Extension System
University of Connecticut

Elizabeth Prosl-Salsado
ExtensionEducator, Youth and Resource Development
Cooperative Extension System
University of Connecticut

Barbara A. Lescault-Cooley
Consultant
Collaboration for Connecticut's Children

Copyright/Access Information


Table of Contents

Media Coverage
Program Announcement
Posters
A "Big Splash"


MEDIA COVERAGE

It is helpful to have experienced media people working with you to develop a public relations campaign. If you are doing your own publicity, check with a reference librarian for a media directory to help find the following information:

1. How to write a press release.

2. The names and addresses of local newspapers.

3. The names and addresses of your TV stations.

4. The names and addresses of local radio stations.

Public relations is an ongoing process. Contact with the media begins with the distribution of the initial survey and continues throughout the life of the program.

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Another way to let the community know about the program is with a flyer. In designing this special flyer, include the five "W's": WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, as well as information on how to register. Find your most
creative artist, and design an eye-catching "READ ME!" advertisement. Use brightly-colored paper - SHOUT YOUR MESSAGE! Distribute the flyers to every child in the school system, and place them in public places and retail outlets in your community. Don't hesitate to approach churches and other civic and social organizations to assist in the distribution. You want saturation!

POSTERS

Large, bright, eye-catching posters are another inexpensive way to announce your opening. Most local merchants will allow you to place a poster in their shop as a community service.

A "BIG SPLASH"

Plan a special event to recognize your opening. Invite the general public, including: parents and children who might use the program, town officials, school representatives, board members, donors, and the media.

You may wish to plan a short program to acknowledge the staff and donors and to emphasize the importance of caring for children in the community.

Allow time for refreshments and socializing. Provide name tags for all and a sign in list for future reference.

DOCUMENT USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National Extension Service Children Youth and Family Educational Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce these materials in whole or in part for educational purposes only (not for profit beyond the cost of reproduction) provided that the author and Network receive acknowledgment and this notice is included:

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Eller, C., Prosl-Salsado, E., & Lescault-Cooley, B.A. (1986). Starting with you. In The hours we can't be home: Developing a school age child care program: A handbook for parents (p. 26). Storrs, CT: University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.

Any additions or changes to these materials must be preapproved by the author .

AVAILABLE FROM::
Carole Eller
University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension
1376 Storrs Rd.
Storrs, CT 06269-4036
PHONE:: (860) 486-0101
FAX:: (860)486-4128
E-MAIL:: celler@canr1.cag.uconn.edu

COPYRIGHT PERMISSION ACCESS
Carole Eller
University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension
1376 Storrs Rd.
Storrs, CT 06269-4036
PHONE:: (860) 486-0101
FAX:: (860)486-4128
E-MAIL:: celler@canr1.cag.uconn.edu
FORMAT AVAILABLE:: Print - 76 pages
DOCUMENT REVIEW:: Level 2 - University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension
System
ENTRY DATE::February 1996

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