Promotions, marketing, public relations and media advocacy are all critical specifically as these are all integrated with the business sector and as well adapted by nonprofit organizations. In the attempt to market or advertise to the community the available services all venues of the media should be sought and the mass media in the form of newspaper and magazines and other printed material as well as media through television and radio broadcast communications and finally through the Internet's provision of electronic media. Communication with the media should take the following facts into consideration while applying their efforts in this area: 1. Goals should be determined, identifying the target audience or the members of the community in this case so that communications can be structured specifically for their comprehension.

2. Technology should be utilized in communication with all involved.

3. Creation of a press kit for the purpose of promoting the treatment center is suggested inclusive of press releases, fact sheets, news articles and news letters, along with organization background information and treatment goals.

4. Compiling a media list will be important specifically in identifying reporters who cover and sympathize with the issues at hand, and in this case promotion of the alcoholism treatment program.

5. Key is developing relationships with journalists on the local level and this can be done through providing them with reliable and accurate information.

Other suggestions are giving consideration to partnering with other organizations and businesses; make use of press releases, as well as simple courtesies in the form of thank you notes and recognition to key individuals who assist the effort.

VII. Medicaid EPSDT and AOD Treatment Services Policy Brief

It is stated in a Medicaid EPSDT and AOD Treatment Services Policy Brief entitled Resources for Recovery: State Practices that Expand Treatment Opportunities" Medicaid EPSDT and AOD Treatment Services" (O'Brien, et al., 2005) National Program Office, Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc. Online located at: www.resourcesforrecovery.org:"states there are three critical areas that fifteen (15) states in the Resources for Recovery program have in common. Those three critical areas are: (1). Creation of shared goals "across state and federal systems through mutual understanding of applicable policy requirement and program practices; (2) Building and strengthening relationships within and among states and key stakeholders including governors, state department directors, state staff persons, and community providers; and (3) Assisting states with the development of a negotiated plan of action or "road map" that outlines steps for improving policies, financing and management practices."(O'Brien, et al., 2005)

Further five of these states are focusing toward enhancement of AOD treatment service provisions for adolescents and children including strategies of: "joint contracting and purchasing for services (Connecticut), utilizing the EPSDT benefit to enhance the types of services covered and increase access to services (Kentucky), exploring design and implementation of uniform assessments and services across payers to increase system capacity and leverage potential federal funding opportunities (Massachusetts) creation of a treatment assessment tool that could meet both juvenile justice and Medicaid needs (Nebraska) and building a seamless system of juvenile justice/substance abuse/mental health services for kids 0-21 (North Carolina)

VIII. Screening Process: A Behavioral Healthcare Issue

Early and periodic screening" for "diagnosis and treatment" is the procedure used in a "comprehensive health and developmental history" procedure of healthcare provision. Behavioral health-care screening is used as well and the study notes that according to Semansky, et al. (2003): "Previous research in relation to behavioral health screening policies in Medicaid programs concluded that many states have failed to address behavioral health issues in EPSDT screening tools." Case management services are vital in the community center treatment setting...

Healthy choice in cities is now that which defines the model of a community in California. Stated in the report of the study entitled "Healthy Cities: a model for community improvement" published in the November 1998 issue of Public Management is: "Local government managers and councils increasingly face pressures to address issues not traditionally assigned to localities. Citizens want education improved, child care made available, gangs eliminated, homelessness abated, drug and alcohol abuse reduced
1998)

This model within the California community, with the desire of the community members directed toward treatment, recovery, as well as elimination and reduction of alcohol abuse and other related problems in such areas is optimal for serving as the "poster" community in the marketing strategy for the treatment center being proposed.

Summary and Conclusion

It is the opinion of this researcher that through study of demographical data in the community area of the proposed alcoholic treatment center combined with the statistical findings related to alcohol use and addiction that a treatment facility in this area is a vital and critical element in community advocacy for those in the poverty bracket who have not had the benefit of education and other necessary provisions in development. Community partnering is important in this type of initiative therefore, after having researched the subject it is considered elemental in the planning process that contacts and relationships be immediately established with key organizations within the community as well as media representatives. It is believed as well after much research that community gatherings of a structured nature will allow those who will provision the alcohol treatment should make contact with community members who will either be involved in their own individual treatment of the treatment of friends and family members in order to begin the education of the community as a whole in the area of general treatment processes in order that support in the community for the framework and structure of treatment might create a solid base for the support and advocacy of the treatment program, its' employees, and the efforts that will be vested in this program.

References

Ervin, N.E. (2002). Advanced community health nursing practice: Population-focused care. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. ISBN# 0-8053-7364-0.

Bensley, R.J., & Brookins-Fisher, J. (EDs). (2003). Community health education method: a practitioners guide. (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett. ISBN# 0-7637-1801-7

Andreasen, A.R. (1995). Marketing social change: Changing behavior to promote health, social development, and the environment. San Francisco CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN# 0-7879-0137-7

Medicaid EPSDT and AOD Treatment Services Policy Brief entitled Resources for Recovery: State Practices that Expand Treatment Opportunities" Medicaid EPSDT and AOD Treatment Services" (O'Brien, et al., 2005) National Program Office, Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc. Online located at: www.resourcesforrecovery.org

Benton Foundation: Strategic Communications in the Digital Age Online available at www.benton.org/publibrary/practice/Toolkit/toolkit.html

Berkeley Media Studies Group (2005) Online available at: www.bmsg.org

Clark, Doug (1998)"Healthy Cities: a model for community improvement. Public Management"

1998 November 1. Highbeam Research Library.

FrameWorks Institute (2005) Online available at: www.frameworksinstitute.org

Free Management Library (2005)Online available at: www.managementhelp.org

Grant Proposal: Treatment of Alcoholics in a Low-income Area of Illinois