Many states have found a state EMSC newsletter to be an effective tool for disseminating program information. A state newsletter can be sent to emergency health care professionals on a regular basis to share a program’s accomplishments and information on upcoming activities. This communication strategy can lead to additional support for the important work you do. Create a listserv to share your newsletter with stakeholders.
Key content for EMSC newsletters may include:
- Information about major pediatric initiatives (both state- and national-level)
- Updates on performance measure progress
- Upcoming Advisory Committee meetings and proposed agenda
- Dates of regional meetings
- Professional organization highlights from Advisory Committee representatives
- Pediatric emergency education courses
- Federal EMSC Program news (use information published in Pulse)
- Updates on national pediatric emergency care initiatives (e.g., Pediatric Readiness)
- Special recognition day/week/month information (e.g., EMS Week/EMSC Day, Trauma Week, Disaster Preparedness Month)
- Contact information for the EMSC office and EMSC manager
Today, it is easy and cost effective to prepare and distribute a newsletter electronically. Common programs such as Microsoft Word or Publisher include newsletter “templates” that already have a design laid out; you only have to add content. An electronic newsletter allows you to convey important EMSC program information to a large audience. A newsletter is also an effective way to direct readers to your website. It is a good idea to convert the newsletter to a PDF before distributing so that it is easily viewable by all.
Examples:
Many state EMSC programs have developed websites where others can go to obtain program information. Content on these websites could include:
- Program mission
- National and state EMSC program information
- Contact information for your state
- Advisory Committee member names and contact information
- Advisory Committee meeting minutes
- Updates on performance measures progress
- Important information regarding pediatric practice issues related to emergency care professionals
- Pediatric educational programs
- Calendar of EMSC events
- Funding opportunities for EMS and other professionals
- Resource documents or links to important EMSC materials
Social media outlets have become major formats for communicating with large and diverse audiences, both within the state and nationally. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the way many states communicate with their stakeholders. In 2012, NEDARC and the EMSC National Resource Center (NRC) published Using Social Media Professionally to Promote EMSC: Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices for EMSC Grantees. This guide is designed to assist and provide information to EMSC grantees on the requirements for planning, design, and best practices for participating and engaging on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.
We also encourage you to follow and share content from our social media sites:
A state-specific fact sheet that includes details about children and emergency care in your state, grant priorities, initiatives, and successes can be an important communication tool for state EMSC programs. Fact sheets have been found helpful as state managers and others meet with department heads and organizations to gather support for EMSC in states. It is best if the fact sheet can be limited to one page though it can be double sided; and it is critical that it contain the EMSC Program manager’s contact information for further questions and follow-up.
Fact sheets typically:
- Acknowledge linkage to the federal EMSC Program
- Address the specific emergency care needs of the children in the state, integrating assessment data when available
- Describe the present state emergency care system, gaps for children, and state EMSC program plans as defined in the grant for addressing the gaps provide a brief listing of previous state EMSC success stories or grant achievements
- Identify valued state program partnerships
An example of a state fact sheet can be found here.
The EIIC also created State Reports for the 2019 Grantee Meeting. Contact Rachael Alter (alter@nasemso.org) to update your information or create a new one.
Another tool available for SP program managers is the State Results page on the Pediatric Readiness website. Additionally, the Pediatric Readiness page provide other information you may share with stakeholders, such as new Pediatric Readiness resources, state quality improvement initiatives, or meeting notifications. To add or update your State Results page, Contact Us.