Next Steps and Conclusion

After presenting their outreach strategy frameworks and action plans, the participants were told not to consider their framework and action plan complete. The workshop was meant to get them started so they could return home and hit the ground running. However, the workshop did not allow nearly enough time to work on the outreach strategy and each participant was asked that they continue to work on it when they return home. Each participant was given a copy of all the materials they had worked on during the two days, and within several days following the workshop, the participants were emailed electronic versions of all templates, populated with the information they had filled out so that they could continue refining and adding to their strategies and action plans.

In closing the workshop, Roemer Alfelor stated that he was happy with the outcome of the workshop and thanked everyone, including the presenters for their time. He noted that this workshop was only the beginning of the focus state initiative. The next step now is to make the outreach strategy a reality for each State. This is indicated in Table 4, which shows a high level overview of the next steps.

Table 4 – Outreach Strategy Next Steps and Timeframe for Completing Next Steps

Next Steps	Timeframe
Each State returns home and further refines outreach strategy framework and action plan	Through mid-May 2005
Teleconference with each State (individually) to discuss framework and action plan	Late May 2005
Finalization of framework and action plan	End of June 2005
Gain approval/commitment from management	End of July 2005
Identify where FHWA can help support implementation of outreach strategy	Mid August 2005
Begin implementation of outreach strategy Develop messages Develop products Distribution of products/messages	August 2005 – April 2006 and beyond

SAIC has been contracted to help each State further develop their outreach strategy and then to support implementation of the strategy. This support may include developing one or two print material(s) for each State, reviewing and offering comments on a project web site, and other support to be determined. This follow up support is meant to occur within the period through April 2006. It is envisioned that monthly teleconferences will be held with each State to help keep up momentum and track and resolve issues, brainstorm additional actions, and just discuss how things are going in general.

It was suggested at the conclusion of the workshop that it might be a good idea to hold another workshop/meeting one year from now to discuss lessons learned, accomplishments, needs for improvement and to evaluate the success of the various outreach strategies. In doing so, this may help to begin to identify measures of effectiveness and begin quantifying benefits and costs of various outreach strategies. This can help other States, aside from the focus states, as they move forward in improving communication and outreach for work zone projects.

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