Page 173

EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 7 Assurance 16 Page 11 Funding Proactive ESS Program Design and Development Service Providers may propose to use Proactive ESS funds specifically for program design and development. Program design and development includes activities related to: • Identifying issues or problems to be solved, and/or defining the purpose of a future Proactive ESS activity or program. • Conducting analysis to determine what will be done, and designing how it will be accomplished. • Developing methods and processes to evaluate success and/or impact of the activity or program. There is no standard plan form for funding Proactive ESS program design and development activities. Service Providers must contact the A16 Coordinator to discuss funding for such activities. Outreach Outreach to eligible populations is a required EAP activity. The 2001 LIHEAP Clearinghouse document, Outreach and Enrollment Strategies for LIHEAP defines outreach as, “the various activities LIHEAP providers engage in to promote and increase program awareness with an attendant goal of increased program enrollment. Outreach may also include outreach activities designed to reach and enroll certain populations.” A variety of outreach activities is necessary to target households with members most vulnerable to the effects of cold: young children, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and the lowest income households with the highest energy burdens. Outreach activities are conducted at both the state and local levels. Effective outreach requires state leadership to develop a consistent message in conjunction with Service Providers, other low income-focused programs and energy vendors. State Outreach Activities State outreach activities include: • Preparing and distributing a statewide application form for EAP. • Putting the EAP application on the Commerce Web site. • Maintaining a toll-free referral telephone line at 1-800-657-3710. • Coordinating with fuel funds including Heat Share. • Providing Service Providers with census data for locating specific populations within their service delivery area.