Lay the Foundation

Lay the Foundation STEP 1: Lay the Foundation Successful programs require thoughtful and strategic planning. A critical part of the planning process is reviewing past and existing programs, assessing needs and resources, and determining clear goals. Laying this foundation of understanding and direction will ensure that the effectiveness and impact of your NIIW activities are maximized. Start with Review , What has your department or coalition done in past years to promote infant immunization? , What have other departments or coalitions across the country done in past years? Visit Assess the Current Situation , What are the needs in your community related to infant immunization? Consider: - Areas or populations with low immunization rates - Hard to reach populations - Barriers for parents and caregivers - Barriers for health providers , What resources does your department or coalition have for NIIW? Consider: - Staff time - Funding - Facilities - Expertise - Partners , What resources are available in the community for infant immunization? Other groups that might provide support for NIIW activities include: - Local affiliates of national and state immunization-related organizations - Local hospitals - Community health clinics - Organization serving specific groups (ethnic, religious, professional, etc.) - Volunteer organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.) - Businesses - Media *Community mapping is a valuable tool that your coalition can use to identify potential assets and partners in your neighborhood. Mapping can help you better understand how your community is structured and how resources are distributed. You can also use this tool to help you develop strategies to reach specific groups by geographic target. Mapping can help you visualize which areas in your community have the lowest immunization rates and where pockets of under and un-immunized people are mainly concentrated. For more information, please visit: ;cat=16&subcat=62 Determine your Objectives Once you have an understanding of what the needs and resources related to infant immunization are in your community, determine your objectives for the upcoming NIIW. Being clear about your objectives will facilitate the planning process and increase effectiveness. Although there are broad national goals for NIIW, every community has its own unique combination of people, organization, needs, and resources. Your department or coalition’s objectives for NIIW 2009 will depend on a number of factors: , How is your current program meeting the NIIW goals? , What needs to happen in your community to achieve those goals? , Where or among whom does that change need to happen? When you develop your objectives make sure they are SMART: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-bound For an online tutorial to help you set SMART Objectives, visit: This document can be found on the CDC website at: