USDA-APHIS VHSv Education/Outreach activities
July 02, 2008 08:30 PM Filed in: VHS | Government
First, I want to thank the Educational Alliance for its help and input on VHS outreach and education activities. We have received a number of excellent proposals and suggestions. At the outset, APHIS is going forward with two of them: A cooperative agreement with the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State to develop and host a VHS website, and with a grant to the Human Dimensions Research Unit at Cornell to provide insight on stakeholders in the Great Lakes Region.
The website which is expected to be complete by the end of December, will be an immediate resource for anyone interested in VHS, from the public to practitioners and academics. Amount: $55,000.
The research on insight into stakeholders in the Great Lakes region will identify the range of knowledge, awareness and concern about VHS among key stakeholder groups, identify sources of information used by them, learn about their willingness to respond to VHS and actual behavioral responses taken by them. This information will be vital to establish what is termed in advertising language as "foundational awareness." This information will eventually be used to inform the campaign's future messages and directions. Amount: $49,800.
With the remaining funds for this year, which will be allocated by September 30, we are planning to continue the advertising plan currently underway. Most of the advertising runs through July and August, and we will extend it for approximately six additional months. The advertising will take into account suggestions that have been provided. Once a media buyer has been awarded a contract and there is a new schedule, we will forward it to the alliance. Amount: $190,000
While Iowa State has provided a comprehensive proposal to develop print materials, educator and audio materials, prevention education mass media tools, youth program materials and promotional items, APHIS feels it is best to hold on to these items until we receive the results of Cornell's research which will give us a foundation upon which to direct the education and outreach campaign. APHIS intends to continue this effort in FY '09 and can build on ISU's ideas for collateral materials and we will evaluate the proposals and determine if some or all will need to be competitively bid.
Remaining FY '08 funds will be used to print additional wallet cards.
We are looking forward to working with all of you as we go forward with these activities.
Thank you,
Gary Egrie, Peter Merrill, Madelaine Fletcher, Heather Curlett
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P. Gary Egrie, VMD
Senior Staff Veterinary Medical Officer, Aquaculture Program
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road, Unit 46
Riverdale, MD 20737
(301) 734-0695 (Office)
(301) 734-4982 (Fax)
(240) 460-5986 (Cell)