RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES
INFORMATION COPIED FROM: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp/inside/implement.php
Typical methods of recruitment include family-focused newsletters and local newspapers, flyers, and
announcements through local media. It is recommended to recruit a small group from the target audience to
serve as a local recruitment team. Personal invitations from familiar people are more likely to be effective.
Additionally, human services providers may use the program for clients.
Remember the important purpose of the program:
 Build skills in parents and youth
 Reduce risk for serious problems
 Build stronger families
 Create stronger, safer communities
Use positive terminology:
 Help your kids have a bright future.
 Help our youth get ahead.
 Come spend some special time with your child.
 Learn ways to build on your strengths as a parent.
 Help your child be successful in the teen years.
 The sessions are fun and fast-moving.
Establish the need for family programs by sharing information and data.
Involve the entire community - a media and informational blitz.
Network with other agencies and groups - enlist their support:
 Churches
 Service organizations (Kiwanis, Lions, etc.)
 PTA/PTO
 Youth organizations (4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts)
 Extension Advisory Councils
 Teachers of 6th graders
 Human-service agencies
Enlist teacher or school counselor encouragement.
Provide colorful and attractive displays at school conference time - any other time parents are at the school, at
church events, agency meetings.
Include information about child care, food, transportation, and monetary incentives in all promotional material.
The most important part of recruitment - a PERSONAL INVITATION!
 Invite 8-10 parents to an informational meeting. Show the promotional video and a few sample
activities.
 Enlist their support as "program shepherds" to brainstorm recruitment ideas and invite other parents.
 School staff, extension staff, pastors, agency staff all give personal invitations.
 Keep track of who has been contacted.
 Team members identify families not likely to be reached by the above personal recruitment and visit,
call, talk about the program in the grocery store and on the street.
Recruitment Do’s
Use positive language:
 “Help your youth have a bright future.”
 “Help your kids get ahead.”
 "Have fun together as a family.”
Work together with other agencies. Gather a group of professionals - church, school, extension, human service
agencies.
Provide childcare, food and transportation.
 Childcare is necessary so that families with younger children can attend.
 Transportation may make the difference for some families.
 Meals may be provided by local service clubs, churches, or food establishments.
 Snacks may be brought by families.
Understand that it takes time to get the program going in a community. Recruitment is generally harder the first
time the program is held. Some groups hold the program with smaller groups the first time or two and find that,
as the word spreads, it becomes much easier to recruit.
Recruitment Don’ts
Do not describe the program as for “at risk families.”
Do not tell parents they need to strengthen their skills.
Do not depend on fliers, announcements, posters, or radio spots. These may get their attention but will probably
not get them to commit to coming. A personal invitation works best.
Do not depend on one agency or group for all the contacts with families.
Do not depend on families to provide their own childcare.
Do not assume that if grant funds do not allow meals, there is no way to have any food.
Do not give up holding the program if you do not get a full group the first time.