Another recruitment strategy for Project LIFE transformed monthly orientations into a form of community outreach. Invitations note that assistance with child care and transportation is available and that refreshments will be served. Recipients are also invited to bring a friend. Instead of being held in government buildings, they are conducted in private settings, such as local hotels or downtown auditoriums, with easy access to public transportation. Employment opportunities are highlighted, and company representativessome of whom are former welfare recipientsand Project LIFE graduates share their experiences with the audience.
Caseworkers meet with small groups of attendees to answer questions.
In addition to current and former Project LIFE participants, separate focus groups are planned for TANF recipients who received invitations but did not attend orientation and for those who attended orientation but did not enroll in the program. Know what motivates your clients. Use welfare time limits as a hook to recruit participants who would otherwise not come in on their own. Connect with participants where they livesend staff into neighborhoods or locate them at community sites. Develop the reputation of listing real job openings, updated regularly, at a particular spot.