Project Restore Project Restore Arkansas Community Action Plan August 22, 2011.
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Transcript of Project Restore Project Restore Arkansas Community Action Plan August 22, 2011.
Target Audience
Target population:
Women 40 and over, at 200% of the poverty level who cannot afford mammograms or cervical cancer screenings
Target Health Priority:
Breast and cervical cancer early detection
Background
To increase Arkansas Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program from $2,753,681 to $6,000,000
Our coalition selected this goal as a priority because funding for the State Department of Health’s BreastCare (Arkansas BCCEEP) program is decreasing
- major source of funding is excise tax charged on cigarettes and tobacco products
- due to recent state and federal tobacco excise tax increases, the number of smokers in the state is decreasing
- less funding is available to help those who cannot afford mammograms or cervical cancer screenings
Need & Significance
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011
Total Funding $4,542,291 $4,349,934 $3,889,805 $3,568,059
Total Number of Women Served
14,733 13,872 9,749 8,492
Average Cost of Each Woman Served
$308 $314 $399 $420
BreastCare Clinical Services Expenditures and women served:
CAP Leadership
Arkansas Cancer Coalition
American Cancer Society
Merlin Foundation
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Susan G. Komen for the Cure• Arkansas• Ozark• Texarkana
Community Health Centers of Arkansas
Objectives
Conduct education campaigns to educate the general public and policy makers about the importance of breast and cervical cancer
• Hold legislative briefing about the current status of breast and cervical cancer in the state
• Conduct public education training in public health regions• Coordinate messaging and print materials to raise awareness• Conduct Breast Cancer Coalition (BCC) Rally at the State
Capitol
Recruit volunteers to follow up with policy makers
• Recruit and train volunteers about the need to increase BCC funding
• Distribute follow-up materials to policy makers
Steps Taken to Reach Objectives
Stakeholders presented to a joint hearing to the state House/Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee
Women’s Caucus Luncheon was held to enlist champions for the BreastCare
Refined existing Breast Cancer Promise educational materials to reflect Project Restore initiative
Launched a Project Restore website
Produced two videos, fact sheets, banners, and other promotional materials to support Project Restore
Hosted “Paint the Capitol Pink” to raise awareness about the reduced funding & met with 31 of 35 Senators
Conduct education campaigns to educate the general public and policy makers
Steps Taken to Reach Objectives
Recruit volunteers to follow up with policy makers
Hosted a booth at the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure where 6,000 information bags were distributed and 1,300 people provided email addresses to receive updates from Project Restore
Produced a toolkit and provided advocacy and educational training to more than 55 Breast and Cervical cancer supporters in order to educate, recruit, and engage core constituents on tools developed to support promotional efforts before meeting with their Senator
Outcomes
The State Health Department developed a quarterly report providing detailed BreastCare program information and transparency for constituents, decision makers, advocates, and the general public
Development of the Project Restore website provides easily accessible and up-to-date information
Printed and electronic media keeps citizens informed and leaders aware of program elements and updates
Recruitment of new partners
In-kind media via television coverage
Special Language added to State Health Department budget bill requiring BreastCare to be maintained at a minimum funding level
Although the overall objective of increasing BreastCare funding to $6 million has not yet been reached, awareness has increased among both the general public and policy makers.
Challenges
Previously existing political climate significantly altered by 44 newly elected legislators
Increased need to inform decision makers about issues made a challenge by the gray area of lobbying versus educating policy makers
Strong anti-government sentiment growing could cause efforts to be perceived as government regulating health
In response to these barriers, conference calls, face-to-face meetings, and the development of a toolkit with educational talking points regarding the program have been developed.
Sustainability
Additional breast and cervical cancer program funding still needed so momentum behind the effort will continue
The Coalition represents large and small organizations that are vested in sustaining and increasing support for BreastCare funding
Advocates have been mobilized with training on toolkit elements and encouraged to speak with decision makers in their local districts
Success Stories
Race for the Cure allowed 25,000 cards on Project Restore to be distributed with facts on the BreastCare program
Within the first few months after it’s launch, the Project Restore website received 2,000 visitors with numbers expected to increase after interested Race participants were notified
Paint the Capitol Pink received statewide media coverage, generating widespread awareness about reduced funding for the BreastCare program
Nine elements comprise the new State Health Department quarterly report
Two testimonial videos were created to convey the mission, scope, and impact of the BreastCare program
Engagement of legislative champions
Future Plans
Continue training partners
Seek out opportunities to alert the general public about shrinking BreastCare funds
Work with decision makers to determine the best formula for state appropriations with the BreastCare program
Print additional educational materials
Host more events to raise awareness