Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Section 3 <br /> <br />ReferencesjExperience (RFP Section 4.5) <br /> <br />~ Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment <br /> <br />..........._""""" In the spring of 2000, under funding from a U.S. Environmental Protection <br />Agency grant, CDPHE began the process of determining outreach needs with a goal of <br />increasing the effectiveness of their Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP). GRM <br />subcontracted with RRMI to develop an integrated outreach, education plan and <br />comprehensive survey for the Air Pollution Control Division directed at small businesses <br />affected by regulatory restrictions. The team conducted a series of focus groups through <br />multiple stakeholder meetings and a workshop to solicit input and support for development of <br />an end user survey. Workshop participants included other governmental ageng.es, community <br />advisory councils, and private industry associations. Based on the qualitative data generated by <br />the focus group phase; a telephone survey was conducted with small businesses throughout the <br />state to determine program awaren,ess, usage patterns, and preferences. , <br /> <br />As a result of RRMI's procedures designed to maximize response: telling respondents the <br />purpose of the survey and the importance of their participation, guaranteeing confidentiality, <br />and using a computer aided telephone interview (CATI) system to schedule callbacks at <br />appropriate times - the project survey was successful in reaching all identified target market <br />segments. <br /> <br />Armed with accurate data, GRM expanded the strategic outreach plan. Technical service <br />offerings were translated into user-friendly brochures, training presentations, and business <br />evaluation tools. The use of publicity continues to play an important role in promoting small <br />businesses' awareness of the program. In 2001, a customer relationship management program <br />was implemented to more fully engage customer input and participation. The program <br />participants, small business owners, are called EnviroMentors. They were hand picked as <br />recognized leaders in the community and serve as a direct outreach channel to CDPHE's target <br />audience - other small businesses. With their established credibility, they serve as an entry <br />point for staff to meet with individuals that may have concerns about enforc~ent issues. <br /> <br />The workshop attendees (who function in a role similar to CWBC's Advisory Committee <br />formed the foundation of a service provider network to improve the environmental awareness <br />and compliance. Through dialog with the larger network, the original air-only focus has' been <br />expanded to include multi media considerations and from pollution control to, prevention <br />,where naturally possible. Additionally, the partnerships between the agency and private industry <br />associations serve to increase credibly and access to traditionally hard-to-serve market segments. The, <br />network has expanded to over 100 educated stakeholders in the community. <br /> <br />Pertinent Project Attributes: Strategic planning; Marketing analysis, survey development and <br />implementation, information management, web site, telephone, and personal interviewing; <br />communications. <br /> <br />Mr. Nick Melliadis <br />Small Business Ombudsman <br />CDPHE <br />303-692-2135 <br /> <br />Section 3, Page-2 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />