Simple, Yet, Successful Message-in-a- Bucket Campaign

The Southern NJ Perinatal Cooperative receives funding from the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to oversee the Southern Regional Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition. The Coalition's mission is raising awareness about lead poisoning prevention across seven counties using volunteer professionals from the healthcare, housing, and commercial community. During National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention week, the Coalition was challenged with dispensing lead education and prevention information to traditionally hard to reach communities. The goal was to educate 150 new families about lead poisoning prevention. The message was “Test your home with a free dust kit, Test your child and know his/her blood lead level, and Use lead-safe cleaning methods." To capture the attention of our audience, simple education materials and practical giveaways (a mop, sponge, lead safe cleaning information) were repackaged in a colorful bucket purchased from a local dollar store. Coalition members and health agencies were asked to distribute buckets through partnering with local church groups, hospitals, childcare agencies, parent centers and Spanish advocacy groups. The bucket outreach campaign educated 864 new families, a 476% increase, and 15% of the families tested their homes with the enclosed dust test kit. A kit tracking system enabled follow up with families after the event. Results indicate that families are more drawn to practical everyday incentives rather than frivolous trinkets many programs offer. The Coalition continues to integrate new repackaging ideas into all its community education efforts.