COVID-19: Community Service Ideas for Those at Risk

Post-COVID-19 WIC Recruitment & Outreach Options April 15, 2020

April 15, 2020April 15, 2020Kim

Post-COVID-19 WIC Recruitment & Outreach Options April 15, 2020

WIC has experienced declining caseloads for many years which means that recruitment efforts must take a high priority. However, during these confusing times with the majority of WIC staff working from home, recruitment efforts have likely taken a backseat to providing vital services to existing participants.

A WIC Outreach and Survey Report indicated the most frequently used recruitment activities by Local Agencies are:

Social Media (unpaid)
Phone calls or text messages to previous participants who have not picked up checks
Displays at community events
Displays at community partners such as food banks and hospitals
Building ongoing relationships with community partners.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, unfortunately the last three Outreach options can’t be utilized leaving only unpaid Social Media and phone calls or text messages to previous participants. Agencies are limited to texting and calling previous participants because they don’t have phone numbers to non-participants.

One Call Now has the perfect solution to both advertise WIC services AND collect non-participant phone numbers.

ADVERTISE: One Call Now’s Text to Keyword is the perfect WIC recruitment tool. Your agency selects a unique Keyword such as #IM4WIC and then designs the automated reply received when someone texts that word to the special short code to learn more. Example Text Reply: WIC has great food benefits. See if you qualify at www.wicurl.com.

These Keywords can be placed on your Facebook Page and also posted on partner Facebook sites such as the local health department, charity sites, social service agencies, and other areas where people may be looking for information and help.

COLLECTING NON-PARTICIPANT PHONE #’S: Once somebody texts to your Keyword for more information, their phone number is automatically added to a special One Call Now subgroup. Each Keyword has its own special subgroup.

Use different Keywords on different sites to learn which ones are drawing the most people.
Once they text the Keyword you have access to the cell phone number where you may use your One Call Now service to send ad-hoc follow up messages in bulk or individually.

RETENTION: During these times, it’s also important to focus on maintaining the current caseload

As noted in the WIC Outreach and Survey Report “The two retention activities that agencies reported were most effective were texting participants and providing incentives. More specifically, the majority (54%) of state and local agencies said they saw an increase in retention as a result of texting participants”

One Call Now makes it easy for your agency to conduct various Text for Retention strategies either through automated messaging with secure and encrypted two-way chat/audio/video integration, weekly age appropriate breastfeeding texts, and ad-hoc correspondence (with two-way integration) from Peers and Clinic staff.

Learn more

COVID-19 WIC & SOCIAL SERVICE: Giving Back When You Can – April 10, 2020

April 10, 2020April 10, 2020Kim

COVID-19 WIC & SOCIAL SERVICE: Giving Back When You Can -April 10, 2020

During these difficult and confusing times, it’s important that we all rally together to help one another.

Everyone has been feeling the economic effects of the novel coronavirus in one way or another, with some of the hardest hit being small business owners, lower-level employees, children, and healthcare facilities. Many who have the means to give are ready to, but might not be sure where to start. "The New York Times" offers suggestions for reputable charities that are offering help to those who need it most.

Charity Navigator has a page dedicated to COVID-19. This site helps you find local or national organizations to give to and rates them so you know your money is going where it’s needed most.
Global Giving's coronavirus relief fund is a crowd-sourced donation effort to provide help to medical professionals, struggling families, the elderly, and school children.
Relief International provides medical equipment to areas of need around the world. With shortages in many of the hardest-hit countries, they’re working around the clock to get medical items distributed.
If you don’t have the financial means to donate, consider donating blood to American Red Cross. As uncertainty has spread, so have blood shortages. Healthy donors are needed to ensure a steady supply of blood for emergencies.
Most children across the country are out of school right now and many (roughly 30 million) relied on school for access to healthy meals. Save the Children is working to provide meals and medical supplies to those children.
Feeding America is working to provide food to their network of food distributors across the country. This includes 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries.
With children out of school, some are having difficulty finding learning opportunities without Internet access. First Book has a goal of sending 7 million books to children in low-income communities so they can continue learning during this time.

You can also support your local community in a variety of ways. Some suggestions include:

Donating food, money, or personal hygiene supplies to local homeless shelters. Many homeless shelters are seeing a decrease in donations as high-demand products are hard to come by. Due to the crowded nature of many homeless shelters, sanitization products are very much needed.
Fostering or adopting a pet in need of a home, or donating supplies to your local animal shelter.
Bringing food to your local food bank to help with the food scarcity many cities and towns are experiencing.

Supporting a local GoFundMe for a needy family or organization in your area. You can do a search on the GoFundMe website to find opportunities to give.

Read Past Blogs HERE

COVID-19 WIC & Social Service: Combating Anxiety and Depression in Uncertain Times – March 31, 2020

March 31, 2020March 31, 2020Kim

During these difficult and confusing times, it’s important that we all rally together to help one another. This week, we’re releasing daily blog posts with ideas for how your clinic can help the people in your community.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is certainly adding stress to the lives of millions of people. As an ABC News article reports, “COVID-19 has evoked fear in our lives in a way that hasn’t been felt since the 9/11 terrorist attack.” It goes on to say that, with an estimated 7 million Americans already suffering from generalized anxiety disorder and another 6 million from panic disorder, those numbers are expected to rise as fear spikes, job loss becomes more widespread, and isolations/quarantines continue.

Similarly, feelings of depression are expected to be on the rise as loneliness and isolation become more common. Support systems are going to be harder to find due to social distancing and isolation.

Who is At Risk

Everyone in the country is susceptible to fear-induced stress right now. However, certain groups that may be more vulnerable to feelings of anxiety or depression include people who are in the higher risk categories, children/teens, healthcare providers, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions (CDC). When speaking with your clients, be on the lookout for signs of stress such as:

Excessive worry over big things (like the virus) as well as small things
Changes in eating/sleeping patterns, including too much food/sleep or too little
Difficulty concentrating
Chronic health problem flare-ups
Increased usage of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs

How to Mitigate the Effects

The CDC outlines the following recommendations for those experiencing extra stress during these times. If you’re talking with a client who is exhibiting signs of anxiety or depression, you can suggest:

Taking breaks from news and social media. The constant flow of bad news can create a cycle of fear and anxiety that’s hard to break out of.
Exercising and eating healthy meals. The endorphins from exercise act as mood boosters, while healthy foods provide much-needed nutrients that can help people feel balanced.
Doing enjoyable activities to unwind. Encourage your clients to pursue hobbies that can take their minds off current events.
Calling or video-chatting with friends and family. We live in a time where communication doesn’t have to take place in person — staying connected to others can help people feel grounded during isolation.
Continuing with current mental health treatments. People should keep taking medications they’ve been prescribed.

Some other suggestions include: maintaining a daily routine, setting an alarm to get up at the same time every morning, keeping up with personal hygiene (even if you don’t plan to leave the house), and seeking out tele-health options or online therapy.

During unprecedented times like this, try to make contact with your clients and check in on them regularly. Even those that seem to be handling the stress well could be quietly suffering, so it’s a good idea to communicate these suggestions to all of your clients.

Read Past Posts HERE

COVID-19 WIC and Social Service Workers: Keeping the Elderly and At-Risk Safe – March 24, 2020

March 24, 2020March 31, 2020Kim

March 24, 2020: Keeping the Elderly and At-Risk Safe

While Covid-19 has been rather unpredictable, one thing we know is that it hits certain communities much harder than others. The elderly, disabled, and immunocompromised are at an extremely high risk of contracting the virus and becoming severely ill. An article in "The Washington Post" says the CDC recommends people older than 80 and those with major underlying illnesses should be extra cautious at this time. Underlying conditions that put someone at greater risk include heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and asthma. Cautions these people should take include social distancing and self-isolation.

Helping the At-Risk

People in the high-risk categories need our help now. The best way you can help them is by keeping your distance. In a healthcare-centered field, you have likely been on the front lines of this virus, which means your exposure to it is probably higher than many. Stat News lists some things you can do from afar to help the high-risk people in your community:

Contact long-term care facilities and find out how they’re handling the crisis.
Stay connected! People in high-risk categories are having to live in extreme isolation, and are likely feeling very lonely. You can organize phone calls for the elderly or video chats with the immunocompromised.
Send groceries so they don’t have to leave their house to get the essentials. Grocery delivery services are available in most large and medium-sized cities. If you are in a more rural area, try to set up a network of healthy people who can deliver items to those who can’t leave their homes.
Encourage those in isolation to stay active. You can set up video calls where you work out together or forward along links to videos they can do on their own time. For those who are in the high-risk category, staying as healthy as possible is very important.
If you’re able, send a healthy person in to help the high-risk with technology. They can show the elderly how to use FaceTime or Skype to make video calls to their family. They can also help them set up streaming services or locate some of the many online services available to keep people entertained during quarantines (many national parks and museums are offering virtual tours to encourage people to stay at home).
Impress upon people in the higher risk categories the importance of staying home. This virus has a very long incubation period, meaning some people are contagious for up to 14 days before they begin to experience symptoms (some are even asymptomatic the entire time they have the virus). With testing unavailable or difficult to get to in most parts of the country, it’s safer to stay indoors and maintain good hygiene habits.

View past blogs HERE

COVID-19 WIC & Social Service Workers: How to Help Domestic Violence Victims – March 23, 2020

March 22, 2020March 31, 2020Kim

We’re going to start by talking about getting help for victims of domestic violence. During this time of social isolation and quarantining, some people are unfortunately being forced to shelter in unsafe situations. According to an article by NBC News, the CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline says domestic violence survivors are already feeling the impact of the outbreak. With more access to their victims, and an increase in stressors, abusers are reacting in dangerous ways. And with one in four women and one in seven men experiencing domestic abuse, it’s likely that some of your clients fall into this category. So, what can you do to help?

Be on the Lookout

First, it’s important to know the signs of domestic violence. You’re likely conducting appointments via phone or video, and not in person, so it can be hard to see the physical signs, like bruises or swelling. However, you can pay attention to what your clients say. Be on the lookout for these signs of abuse, as outlined by Mayo Clinic:

Does the client have difficulty contacting you? Abusers often restrict victims’ access to healthcare.
Do they mention having to ask their partner for money? Abusers like to control their victims’ spending.
Does the client seem timid or anxious? They might be worried their abuser is monitoring their conversations, and are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Do they have low self-esteem or use hurtful language when talking about themselves? They may have internalized verbal abuse they’ve heard from their abuser.

Find Ways to Help

If you suspect a client you’re working with might be a victim of domestic violence, you’ll have to tread carefully. Many won’t ask for help or won’t feel safe seeking assistance. Here are some ways you can reach out:

Post a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline website on your agency’s Facebook page. During discussions with clients, you can say something as innocuous as, “Check our Facebook page for helpful information.” This way, if an abuser is listening in, they won’t be tipped off.
If you get a chance to speak with a client privately, encourage them to check their computer for spyware and check vehicles for GPS. Though most people will be staying at home during this time, let them know that in an emergency, they can still call 911 or seek out a police station.
Let clients know that phone usage is sometimes monitored, so they need to be careful about how they use their devices, including finding safe times to do so.
Forward or post to Facebook information for local women’s shelters or crisis centers. Some people may not feel comfortable calling a national hotline, but might be more open to seeking help locally.