KEYWORDS:
Partnerships, Pockets-of-need

BACKGROUND:
One strategy the El Paso County Immunization Forum uses to improve childhood immunization rates is to identify and reach children in pockets-of-need areas. Working in partnership with diverse community groups and parents in these PON areas is an important principle in determining specific interventions to reduce identified barriers. Several methods were used to pinpoint and validate PON areas. In one area, the Roatry Club "adopted" a school to help promote childhood health. They agreed to work with the Forum to improve local childhood immunizations.

OBJECTIVE(S):
Collaborate with parents and community partners to improve the immunization status of children living in a specific PON.

METHOD(S):
The zip codes of one and two year old children on the "missing immunizations" follow-up list, generated from a recent CASA assessment at the local health department, were mapped. At least five zip codes stood out as having the greatest proportion of children on the list. Zip codes gathered from attendees at a WIC Fair, verified these zip codes. The zip codes were further verified, based on socio-economic factors, by case managers with the Housing Authority and public health nurses from the Nurse-Family Partnership Program. As the Rotary Club has already established a relationship with the elementary school, entry into the community will be primarily through the school.

RESULT(S):
Partnerships continue to be established. Partners have agreed that as well as improving immunization rates, active parent participation is a crticial success factor.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
Determining immunization PON areas and working with key partners in these areas to design and implement immunization improvement interventions will increase the overall childhood immunization coverage levels in El Paso County.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Strategies to identify PON areas. Strategies to initiate and implement collaborative interventions in PON areas.