The Challenge:
A prominent local hospital system had launched a program focused on providing training and guidance for public schools on how to adopt social-emotional learning practices that would benefit both staff and students’ mental wellbeing. It also prepared them to handle potential crises that could affect their community such as natural disasters, poverty and food insecurity, and active shooters.
Jointly funded by the hospital system and state government, it was important to demonstrate the demand for this program based on the number of administrative personnel who expressed interest in bringing it to their schools. It was also imperative to showcase the expertise of program leaders and the results from successful adoptions in order to increase interest and ensure long-term funding. With a niche topic such as this, the team saw an opportunity to fill a void in the conference space that had not previously been occupied.
Alpha’s Solution:
- Understanding the often-sensitive nature of the program subject, the team set out to research conference opportunities in the social work, education, state government, and mental health fields.
- Next the team needed to find the right opportunities for the program leaders’ expertise to shine. Once our options were laid out in front of the collective group, the team conferred with program leaders on scheduling and best use of time to narrow down our options.
- Then the team crafted supplemental materials like factsheets and published interviews with program leaders to begin to shift the narrative.
- The goal was to have unique insights to ensure they would stand out from the wider applicant pool.
- Additional research papers and social media tactics were also developed, published and used to complement speaking opportunities.
Results:
- The team’s efforts resulted in a number of high-profile local and national speaking opportunities for program leaders over the course of a year.
- The executed strategy successfully raised awareness for the program, increased the number of schools looking to get involved, and distinguished program leaders as experts in their field.
