The media is an important channel that providers can use to show their commitment to AAHSA Quality First and more importantly, earn public trust.
The following section features case studies and templates that you can use as models, fact sheets and other resource materials for your organization.

Templates

Model Fact Sheet about Community Involvement
When an organization gets involved in community-at-large, it enhances the quality of life of individuals it serves, in addition to its reputation in the local community that highlights these activities in your organization.

Sample Letter to the Editor
Sending a letter to the editor is a great way to publicize your organization's commitment to Quality First. Use this template to write a letter that identifies your organization with quality and helps you on your journey to earn public trust.

How to Create a Fact Sheet about Your Aging Services Organization
The first step to earning public trust is providing the public with the basic information about your organization so they know who you are and how you are dedicated to serving older adults. Use this template to design a fact sheet that can help your organization achieve this goal.

Sample Crisis Communication Plan
An organization’s response to a crisis affects more than their credibility, image and reputation – it can affect the lives of the people they serve. This document outlines a process providers can use to manage their communications during a crisis and more important, prepare for crises before they happen.

How to Write Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor are good ways to respond to news coverage, columns, editorial cartoons or simply to express your views on any issue that has been in the news.

Fact Sheets

Interview Do’s and Don’ts
An interview with a member of the media is a great opportunity to highlight your organization’s commitment to quality. Using this sheet can help you give reporters accurate and useful information and a chance to tell your story to the public.

Mastering the Key Elements of Working with the Media
Having a positive relationship with the media is an integral part of earning public trust. This issue brief presents effective strategies for building a relationship with the media, conducting media interviews and getting a story published on an editorial page.

Media Guidelines for Aging Services Organizations
AAHSA members can fulfill Quality First's mission to earn public trust in aging services by providing the media with useful information about quality in care, services and housing for older adults.

Case Studies

Editorial Helps Member Explain Senior Housing's Value in the Community
The Norwalk Hour published an editorial by Mary Windt from The Marvin/Under One Roof, Inc. that describes how her organization's services can benefit members of the Norwalk community. This article is part of the program's Quality First implementation plan.

A Model for a Member Taking Quality First Public
Milton Residences for the Elderly in Milton, MA, ran a full-page ad in their newsletter illustrating to its community the importance of putting quality first.

Community Goods: Excellence in Social Accountability Making (Air)Waves
These providers connect with their communities through public affairs programming.

Other Resources

Public Communication Department: Why You Need a Designated Media Representative
This article outlines the process of selecting, training and working with a media spokesperson at your organization.

Turn News Around to Tell Your Story
For providers, it is always disheartening to open the newspaper or turn on the television and see another negative news story about the aging-services field. Reading this article, however, can help individuals see articles not just as obstacles, but opportunities to highlight the quality care their organization provides.

Sample Press Release for your Local Media
Inform the media in your community about your organization's involvement in Quality First as a way to publicly identify your organization with quality and earn public trust.