Outreach plans were re-evaluated over the course of the program to ensure information reached those most in need. Flyers and fact sheets were translated from English to Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese then provided to community partners and case managers. In addition, 59 community organizations were contacted and educated about the program through these translated flyers and webinars. Specific outreach strategies, outreach activities, and events were created for targeted populations including Seniors, LGBTQ+, Limited English Proficiency, Special Medical Needs, Homeless Families/Individuals, Veterans, Domestic Abuse Survivors, youth aging out of foster care and other traditionally marginalized communities in Harris County.  In round 2, Familias Inmigrantes Estudiantes en la Lucha, FIEL, led canvassing efforts and door-to-door outreach, while advertising continued on Spanish language radio.  

Reflection data showed underrepresentation for Spanish speakers and certain neighborhoods based on need after Round 1. As a corrective action, Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity (DEEO) and Catholic Charities launched targeted outreach efforts including outreach events in geographic areas of underrepresented neighborhoods, door knocking, and clearer messaging on eligibility.  

Catholic Charities communications team concluded there were 98 outreach or media events in total: Six all-day radio advertisements, 58 TV spots or press releases, four in-person registration events, and 40 newspaper articles (many TV spots also had online articles and videos). In addition, prior to the program opening for applications, there were 37 TV or newspaper articles, and nine occurred in the days before the second-round application period. Although significant media outreach was conducted, nearly 40% of people were referred to the HCRA program by a friend, family, or neighbor. The 58 TV spots referred 30% of the applicants, and 17% found the Harris County Recovery Assistance (HCRA) program through a web search or social media.  

Precinct 2 had a 5% increase in applications between Round 1 and Round 2, largely due to three concerted in-person outreach events held in that part of the County. These events were run by navigator organizations. According to the data, over the span of the second application period (September 8-12), navigators and other non-profit organizations helped 1,649 households apply for financial assistance. This constitutes 13.5% of all applications (12,207) referred by nonprofits. Importantly, the data shows that a remarkable 68.6% of Round 2 applications, with a referral source of “nonprofit organization,” were submitted or assisted by navigators or other nonprofit organizations. This data suggests that in-person program enrollment events are a powerful tool in targeted outreach efforts and expanding program access in specific geographic areas.

The following eligibility requirements were set in the hopes of targeting the intended critical minority: (1) At least one household member must be enrolled in a public assistance program, or (2) the total household income must be less than 50% of the HUD Area Median Family Income (HAMFI) limits (at time of application). Those requirements were frequently reviewed and measured by an Evaluation Plan aimed at standardizing data to evaluate fund impact. The data consisted of household address, race/ethnicity/gender, number of people in a household broken down by age, and renter/owner status.

KPIs tracked for this program included:

• Number of applications received
• Number of applications processed
• Number of applications approved
• Number of applications paid
• Amount paid

https://www.mamhouston.org/hcra

The program was based on studies conducted regarding the effectiveness of unconditional cash grants for alleviating poverty and studies showing that federal Economic Impact Payments helped families afford basic needs. Research also showed that households were unable to afford basic needs during the pandemic. By April 2020, a Pew Research study reported that only 23% of households had emergency funds that would last 3 months, and about half of low-income Americans had reported a job or wage loss due to COVID-19 by that point. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Urban Institute, and the Federal Reserve all indicate that families struggled with food insecurity and paying for bills and other basic expenses, and that the impacts were felt especially by those who entered the pandemic with fewer resources and/or experienced a layoff. While the impacts were lessened by safety net programs, for many households, such assistance has not been enough.

Beneficiaries were surveyed to learn about uses of funds and recommendations for future programs; the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity prepared a program assessment which was transmitted to Commissioners Court.  An evaluation was conducted for this program.