Overview :: Planning :: Implementation :: Evaluation
Formal Information and Referral, Prevention or Public Education Services can be delivered via written material distribution, in person, or over the phone or internet. The type of delivery mechanism you choose to implement drives the resources you need to keep the service viable.

Successful delivery of information services is highly dependent on the organizations ability to convey accurate information to an audience. Resource information is the backbone of information and referral systems and a critical component of prevention and public education. It can quickly become outdated as providers and resources change in communities. It is important to have a review and feedback mechanism built into service delivery to quickly spot and correct outdated information. Strategies for accomplishing this can be as simple as designating a person in the organization responsible for review of the documents or creating an ad hoc group to periodically review and revise curriculum or public education material. Choose a strategy that makes sense for your organization.


Informational Service Delivery Mechanisms - Advantages & Challenges

Delivery Mechanism
Advantages
Challenges
Printed material • Can be distributed to diverse audiences
• Controlled printing costs
• Updating requires re-printing and extra cost
• Difficulty tracking usage of material
Internet Based • Easily updated
• Can track usage easily
• 24 hour availability
• May not be accessible to intended audience
• Requires technology in-house or via out sourcing
Phone • Personal
• Interactive
• Easily updated
• Training and scheduling staff or volunteers
• Labor intensive
• Requires redundancy in phone systems to insure callers don't get busy signal
• Requires facility or home based answering of phones
In Person • Personal
• Interactive
• Easily updated
• Training and scheduling staff or volunteers
• Labor intensive