More Recognition for EXCITE

In an email to Extension Directors this week, USDA NIFA Director Dr. Castile led off with EXCITE and our efforts having reached over 4 million people with vaccine messaging. In the meantime, we are also sharing videos of our recent spotlight presentations with both our CDC partners and Extension Directors. The CDC is already sharing those presentations within their organization while Extension Directors are also reaching back to us and thanking us for sharing the good news. Never forget you are making a difference!

CDC’s Updated Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine

Several people have expressed confusion about the latest CDC guidelines on isolation and quarantine. The CDC offers several scenarios based on vaccination status with accompanying recommendations. Read more about the guidance at the CDC site here.

Effective Social Media Communication for COVID-19

From CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity newsletter:

Social media has become a go-to source for COVID-19 news, and while these platforms can be useful to share helpful guidance, they can also spread misinformation. In a 60 minute webinar, the CDC Foundation’s Community COVID Coalition in partnership with Vaccine Equity Cooperative, convenes experts that will answer your most pressing questions on effective social media communication strategies and share the best practices for leveraging social media in your community — especially with limited resources and small budgets. Click Webinar Registration – Zoom to register for the January 20 webinar at 4pm ET.

Social Media Resources from the Partnership for Vaccine Equity: New on the Vaccine Resource Hub (VRH)

1. Various social media graphics on COVID-19 variants now available. COVID-19 may be changing, but the message remains the same: get vaccinated. Download this new series of new social media graphics on variants with an instruction sheet on how to size them for each platform.
2. Get the message out on vaccines and variants! These new social media graphics (and accompanying instruction sheet on posting) designed for the Black community explain the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine as protection against evolving variants such as Omicron. Download and post!

January Spotlight Follow-up: EXCITE and SNAP-Ed Programming

We had several great presentations that highlighted partnering with their university’s SNAP-Education  program. Based on SNAP-Ed Guidance, the goal of this federally funded program is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles.  For EXCITE grantees working with a SNAP-Ed program, please ensure the SNAP-Ed program has communicated with their state agency or USDA Regional SNAP-Ed Coordinator regarding what education they are permitted to deliver regarding COVID-19 and other vaccine information. For additional questions or concerns, please reach out to Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Lindseyh2@extension.org, our EXCITE Market Research Lead and Principal Investigator for NC State’s SNAP-Ed Program.