Typical methods of recruitment include family-focused newsletters and local newspapers, flyers, and announcements through local media. It is recommended to recruit a small group from the target audience to serve as a local recruitment team. Personal invitations from familiar people are more likely to be effective. Additionally, human services providers may use the program for clients.

Remember the important purpose of the program:

• Build skills in parents and youth
• Reduce risk for serious problems
• Build stronger families
• Create stronger, safer communities

Use positive terminology:

• Help your kids have a bright future.
• Help our youth get ahead.
• Come spend some special time with your child.
• Learn ways to build on your strengths as a parent.
• Help your child be successful in the teen years.
• The sessions are fun and fast-moving.

Establish the need for family programs by sharing information and data.

Involve the entire community - a media and informational blitz.

Network with other agencies and groups - enlist their support:

• Churches
• Service organizations (Kiwanis, Lions, etc.)
• PTA/PTO
• Youth organizations (4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts)
• Extension Advisory Councils
• Teachers of 6th graders
• Human-service agencies

Enlist teacher or school counselor encouragement.

Provide colorful and attractive displays at school conference time - any other time parents are at the school, at church events, agency meetings.

Include information about child care, food, transportation, and monetary incentives in all promotional material.

The most important part of recruitment - a PERSONAL INVITATION!

• Invite 8-10 parents to an informational meeting. Show the promotional video and a few sample activities.
• Enlist their support as "program shepherds" to brainstorm recruitment ideas and invite other parents.
• School staff, extension staff, pastors, agency staff all give personal invitations.
• Keep track of who has been contacted.
• Team members identify families not likely to be reached by the above personal recruitment and visit, call, talk about the program in the grocery store and on the street.