Outreach Guide: Reaching People in Rural Communities

People who live in rural areas often face unique challenges in accessing vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. These may include limited transportation, fewer service providers, lack of broadband access, language and cultural barriers, and geographic isolation. That means we can't expect people to come to us. We need to go to them.

This guide shares practical tips and strategies to help VR professionals connect with rural communities and improve access to quality employment.

Know the Barriers

Before you can reach people effectively, it helps to understand the challenges they may be facing:

• Transportation: Public transit may be unavailable or unreliable.
• Limited internet: Broadband access is often lacking in remote areas.
• Isolation: Some communities are geographically distant and have limited connections to outside services.
• Language and culture: There may be cultural differences, especially in migrant and multilingual communities.
• Trust: People may be unfamiliar with VR services or hesitant to engage with the government or outside organizations.

Outreach Strategies That Work

1. Build Local Relationships
   • Partner with trusted community organizations, schools, health centers, churches, and libraries.
   • Attend community events and meetings to build visibility and trust.
2. Go Where People Already Gather
   • Bring services to familiar, accessible places like food pantries, job fairs, fairs, or public events.
   • Use mobile units or set up at community hubs.
3. Make It Personal
   • Get to know the community. Listen before offering help.
   • Learn and respect local customs, priorities, and communication styles.
4. Use Plain Language and Multiple Formats
   • Share information in clear, simple language.
   • Provide materials in multiple languages as needed.
   • Use visuals and audio formats where literacy or language may be a barrier.
5. Leverage Trusted Messengers
   • Work with people who already have strong relationships in the community.
   • Train local partners to help share VR information.
6. Be Flexible and Patient
   • Rural outreach takes time. You may need to adapt to local schedules, resources, and pace.
   • Offer multiple ways to stay in touch: phone, text, in-person visits, or mail.

Special Considerations: Migrant and Seasonal Workers

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are vital to rural communities, but often face unique barriers to accessing VR services. These include language differences, limited transportation, inconsistent housing, documentation challenges, and mistrust of government systems - especially due to recent immigration policy changes.

Many individuals may be unaware of services or hesitant to engage for fear their participation could be reported or negatively affect their immigration status.

To build trust and deliver effective outreach:

• Meet People Where They Are: Reach out at familiar places like churches, food pantries, ESL classes, or local festivals.
• Use Clear, Respectful Language: Avoid acronyms and government-heavy terms. Consider framing yourself as a “job helper” or “career coach.”
• Be Culturally Responsive: Hire bilingual staff or interpreters and be mindful of local customs and concerns.
• Be Transparent About Privacy: Clearly explain what information is collected and how it’s protected.
• Partner with Trusted Groups: Collaborate with churches, community leaders, and advocacy organizations already trusted in immigrant communities.
• Offer Low-Pressure Options: Provide flexible, approachable ways for people to ask questions and get involved at their own pace.
• Show Up Consistently: Trust takes time. Regular presence and follow-through are key to building long-term relationships.

Keep It Going

• Track what’s working and adjust over time.
• Stay in regular contact with local partners.
• Show up consistently - trust builds slowly, but it grows through presence and follow-through.

Final Thought

Outreach is not a one-time effort - it’s a relationship. By showing up, listening, and offering support that fits the reality of rural life, we can open more doors to quality employment services for people who need them most.