Outreach

We all know that outreach has its challenges, so in order to assist here is some information and samples as to what some agencies are doing as part of their outreach efforts. If you have some samples or examples that you want to share, please email jason@acces.us so we can post them here.

From Sandra Klaisner @ North Coast Energy Services...

So, for outreach my staff uses our history in Servtraq to reach out the repat clients who have not applied during the current year. We also clone applications that are eligible for multiple programs. PG&E sends us lists of customers who have large arrearages. Our staff call and email those customers to explain our program and get them to apply online or through the mail.

Last year we started collaborating with the drive-thru food distribution events. They send us a list of events and my staff show up with outreach materials (blankets, weatherstripping, application packets & energy tips). My staff then walk the line of cars and give out the materials and explain the programs. This has been very successful in finding new clients who have never been helped before.

This year we began reaching out to community partners. Before 2020 the Salvation Army processed applications for the PG&E REACH program. This is a program like HEAP & pays utility bills to PG&E. Their funding is limited and has more limitations than ours. So, when the Salvation lost that funding, we reached out to them to ask them if we could pay them for their referrals. We sent an outreach agreement to several office and subsequently trained them to know how to determine if a client is eligible and when an application is complete. We currently pay them 50.00 for each complete & eligible application that we receive & 75.00 if the application has the weatherization service agreement form.

In our Lakeport office we have a desk space that we let out to Catholic Charities. They see clients in our office for their services and them walk them over to our intake receptionist to complete an application for HEAP & Weatherization.  In turn if a client walks in for our services, we also refer them to her for help with the other services she can provide.  I believe most CAA agencies do this in their offices but for CBO’s this is a great way to introduce our services and it basically costs us nothing to do it.

Our staff also attend every health & safety Fair & other events around town. PimpkinFest & Classic car shows. These are not just for low-income individuals, but it gets our name out there.