MCAAA conducted a statewide survey in November 2010 to gauge the level of public awareness of Community Action Agencies and the work they do. The results of the survey indicated a low level of awareness. As a result, MCAAA began a statewide media campaign, in partnership with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, in March 2011 to raise awareness among Michigan residents of the work Community Action Agencies are doing to improve the lives of low income individuals and families. Samples of the public service announcements (PSAs) are below and are currently running on commercial and public radio and television stations in Michigan. 

Watch MIACTION's "Awareness" PSA

Watch MIACTION's "Success" PSA

Listen to MIACTION's "Choices" PSA

Listen to MIACTION's "Sounds" PSA

Each PSA includes references to a toll free number (888-75ACTION) and web site (www.MIACTION.org) where viewers and listeners may go to find the Community Action Agency that serves their area and to inquire about specific programs that are offered by their CAA.

UPDATE--December 1, 2011:

In the nine months since MCAAA and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters began airing statewide public service announcements describing the work Community Action Agencies are doing to assist low income Michigan residents, public awareness of CAAs has doubled, according to an EPIC-MRA poll conducted last week. A similar survey last year established that only 15% of Michigan residents has any level of familiarity with Community Action and in this year's follow up, 33% of respondents reported they were at least "somewhat familiar" with CAAs and the work they do.

Since March 2011, Michigan broadcast television and radio stations have been airing thousands of PSAs that summarize the role CAAs play in helping low income neighbors become more economically self-sufficient and stable. Despite the large number of airings, however, only 13% of respondents reported to have seen or heard the spots. Of those, 22% said they called the toll free number, visited the MI-ACTION.org web site, and/or told someone about the spots.

The poll was conducted over a three day period and reached 600 registered voters across the state. It has a 4% margin of error, according to EPIC-MRA.