text4baby - Resources for Elected Officials

Resources for Elected Officials

Legislators and Elected Officials care about the health and well-being of their constituents. In a tough economic climate, text4baby offers a completely free way for moms in need to access scientifically accurate health information right in the palms of their hands. Check out some creative promotional ideas below to spread the word to your constituents.

Promotional Ideas

(Download a PDF version of this list here)

Include information about text4baby in your communications with constituents, like mailings or e-newsletters.
Place a blurb about text4baby on your website, including how to sign up for the service (text BABY or BEBE to 511411) and where constituents can learn more about the program (www.text4baby.org).
Spread the word about tex4baby among your colleagues and other elected officials – start an informal “competition” with other legislators to see whose district or state can enroll the most users.
Incorporate text4baby talking points into scheduled activities focused on children and women’s health at community appearances.
Issue a press release or conduct interviews tied to Mother’s Day or a health observance, such as National Infant Mortality Awareness Month (September), National Child Health Day (10/1/2011) or SIDS Awareness Month (October).
Host a roundtable discussion at a local hospital maternity ward on a topic related to infant mortality, prematurity, and the importance of prenatal care. Invite a doctor and text4baby user to talk about the value of the service.
Organize a briefing on the text4baby program at a local health clinic, community center, or public library.
Pitch an interview to local news outlets that have female audiences (e.g., morning TV, health segments, radio programs) to speak about text4baby and the local/state need for the program.
Reach out to your state health department and find out how you help with their existing text4baby promotional efforts. See who's involved in your state or district here.

Partner Spotlights

Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) (pictured at left) supported text4baby from the start, participating in a Congressional Briefing in 2010 and attending community events in her home districts to support text4baby. She says, “Text4baby provides essential health information to pregnant women and new moms during a critical time of life. I am so pleased I can help spread the word about this valuable tool that will help ensure that information gets into the hands, literally, of the women who need it. Helping to educate new mothers is essential to ensuring that their babies are healthy and happy.”

Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) is working with the South Carolina Department of Health and the Environment to spread the word about text4baby to his constituents.