Jefferson Ready Start Network launches the Future Fund

Written By Alicia Vial

Situation

The Jefferson Ready Start Network (JRSN) is a coalition of individuals committed to creating and implementing a bold local vision for early childhood in Jefferson Parish for children birth to age five. 

There are more than 28,000 children aged birth to five in Jefferson, of those almost 25,000 are eligible for publicly funded early care and education seats, however less than 4,000 children and families are currently using this resource.

The Louisiana Early Childhood Education (ECE) Fund is a state matching fund that offers local entities in Louisiana a dollar-for-dollar match on investments made to expand access to quality early care and education for economically disadvantaged children. JRSN partnered with Jefferson Community Foundation (JCF) to create a local funding program – the Future Fund – in order to take advantage of the state match.

Gambel Communications worked with JRSN to plan, promote and execute the strategic launch of the Future Fund campaign aimed at key stakeholders, including legislators, business owners and leaders, community agencies, the media, childcare providers and parents/caregivers of young children. 

Strategy

The success of the Future Fund campaign required education and awareness to businesses and community members. Gambel built an editorial plan to achieve this goal and worked alongside JRSN and its thought partners to develop an integrated, cross-channel approach to media and community relations, using social media, community speaking engagements and earned PR coverage to educate and inform, while driving donations to the fund.

As part of its ongoing public relations and communications efforts with JRSN, Gambel Communications executed all media relations efforts, earning extensive coverage in print, online media, television and radio. In addition, Gambel secured public speaking opportunities with key stakeholder groups, consulted on a social media strategy and developed corresponding marketing materials to support the program launch. 

The editorial campaign included not only the launch of the Future Fund program, but also corresponding awareness of funds received, programs to be implemented to target groups as well as the support by local government and elected officials, including a video series with Jefferson Parish councilmembers.  

Results

As a direct result of Gambel Communications’ media and community relations efforts as well as social media strategy, JRSN received the following measured results:

  • Media mentions: 25 

  • Potential audience reached: 34.2 MM 

  • Social engagement: 235 

As a halo affect, Gambel Communicatons’ work helped JRSN achieve the below key outcomes: 

  • Raised more than $500,000 from council, businesses and community members – which with the ECE state match will reach over $1 million towards new seats for economically disadvantaged children of Jefferson Parish 

  • Created new revenue streams for early childhood education  

  • JRSN leadership recognized for multiple awards including City Business Ones to Watch and City Business Women of the Year

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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