A great idea from our neighbors at Cover Missouri!
Rather than solely focus on blanketing the community with marketing messages about special enrollment periods, special enrollment period outreach can be particularly effective by considering the qualifying applicants and meeting them where they are – in situations where they are likely to be receptive to the information.
Below are some suggestions of venues, locations and gatekeepers through which you can reach eligible applicants either directly to deliver an informational presentation or set up a table, or through the organization to share educational materials (or all of the above):
| QUALIFYING LIFE EVENT | WHERE TO MEET THEM |
| Getting married | Bridal shows, bridal associations, bridal consultants, wedding officiants, churches/pastors |
| Having a baby | Baby retail stores, prenatal yoga classes, breastfeeding/birthing classes, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), MOMS groups, Mommy & Me, Mothers of Preschoolers |
| Becoming a U.S. citizen | Citizenship classes, Immigrant preparation and ESL classes, translation and interpretation services, international festivals and events (e.g. Festival of Nations in St. Louis) |
| Getting divorced | Family law offices, Focus on Kids through MU Extension, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kids in the Middle |
| Losing employer/job | Job fairs, local job centers, unemployment offices |
| Permanent move | Neighborhood associations, DMV or license offices, Welcome Wagon clubs, Newcomers groups, New neighbors league, local Association of Realtors |
Enrollment Assisters, let us know how you do your outreach outside of Open Enrollment!