The Pinal County

B.O.I. Project

Bags of Information

PROBLEM / CHALLENGE

Due to pandemic we were unable to table any outreach events as we normally would. We needed to find a way to distribute information and items during a “no-contact” stay-at-home time.

STRATEGY

The contents of each community resource outreach bag included parent resources, promotional giveaways, preschool craft kits, books, and other activities to keep little ones busy, engaged and learning.


The strategy was to distribute these bags to libraries, childcare centers, home child cores, and other public gatherings/events. Additionally, we collaborated with units within UACE for resources as well as childcare centers, in-home childcare centers, and community partners, (FTF, AJ Food Bank, Head Start, Treasures 4 Teachers).

WHAT WE DID

The contents used to fill the bags was collected, created and compiled by our Developmental/Sensory Team. However, as the requests for bags grew, so did our requirement for assistance. We received help from AmeriCorps members, First Smiles staff and items from AZ Health Zone.

  • A phone outreach began by contacting centers and schools that we have worked with in the past, this led to further referrals to new centers and community members.

  • Bags were created and filled for specific sites throughout Pinal County.

  • Bags were delivered to designated sites using an efficient “no-contact” method.

  • Parental instructions for completing a developmental screening were made highly visible. Each bag included a brightly colored flyer inside and a label on the outside, both with a QR code linked to our Facebook and Instagram pages. By posting a picture of their child’s finished craft project or by commenting on our social media page, the parent was entered in a prize drawing for an educational bag.


RESULTS / SUCCESS

Apart from delivering much needed resources to parents of young children, our participation outcome included parents completing our ASQ screening for their children using a link provided or by setting up a virtual screening with us.

CONCLUSION

We succeeded at getting information about our various programs to families with young children while providing activities for caregivers to do at home to enhance their development. These materials provided inspiration for boosting parent/child interaction and opportunities for working towards meeting developmental milestones.

1554 BAGS DELIVERED

University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Pinal County

  • Esther Turner, Program Coordinator, Sr.

  • Jennie Treadway, Program Coordinator

  • Shevonda Joyner, Community Outreach Assistant II

  • Karin Larrimore, Community Outreach Assistant II

  • Tammy McCarville, Community Outreach Assistant II

  • Maria Melendez, Graphic Designer

  • Cathy Martinez, FCHS Agent

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeffrey C. Silvertooth, Associate Dean & Director, Extension & Economic Development, Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its programs and activities.
Emitido en promoción del trabajo de la Extensión Cooperativa, leyes del 8 de mayo y 30 de junio de 1914, en colaboración con el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos, Jeffrey C. Silverstooth, Decano Asociado y Director, Extensión Cooperativa y Desarrollo Económico, División de Agricultura, Ciencias de la Vida, Veterinaria, y Extensión Cooperativa, Universidad de Arizona.
La Universidad de Arizona es una institución que promueve la igualdad de oportunidades y de género. La Universidad no discrimina en sus programas y actividades por razones de raza, color, religión, sexo, nacionalidad de origen, edad, discapacidad, condición de veterano, identidad de género, preferencia sexual, o información genética.