To-dos:

• Set goals

• Create a timeline and stick to it!

• Assess your existing assets and resources.  Identify your needs.  Your needs will dictate the partnerships you pursue.

• Choose a message:

  • 100% of [community's name] kids enrolled in All Kids

  • Enroll your child in Illinois' free or low-cost health insurance program

  • Don't worry about runny noses and roughhousing - Enroll your child in All Kids

• Assemble a planning commitee

• Think of a name for your event or campaign

Keys to Success: 

• For the first meeting, cast a wide net, include community and organizational networks and contacts.

• Set achievable and measurable goals: How many kids will you enroll? How many enrollment locations will you have? How many volunteers/staff will you recruit for each location? 
  

• Keep in mind that you will need All Kids Application Agents to enroll families in health insurance.   Begin to think about how many you will need and how to recruit these volunteers.
  

• Give yourself six to eight weeks to put together an enrollment event.  Include a point person and budget estimate (if applicable) for each timeline item.

• Positive messages work better than fear.  Keep in mind that all parents want to enroll their children in coverage, and there are many factors for why their eligible child is not enrolled.  Some families, particularly those recently hit by the recession, may be unaware of the programs or may be embarassed. 
  

Tools:

• Example Timeline

What the Experts Say:

• InsureKidsNow.gov - Developing an Approach and Setting Goals

• CoveringKidsandFamilies.org - Message Strategy Toolkit