Covered California
Dakota Communications was contracted by Covered California in December 2014 to increase health care enrollment of African Americans in Los Angeles County during the 2014-2015 open enrollment period. Despite their late start (open enrollment began November 15, 2014), Dakota was able to provide outreach, education, earned media, and enrollment opportunities, resulting in a measurable increase in California’s African American enrollment numbers. Dakota was also asked by the California Legislative Black Caucus and Covered California to organize a health fair at the California African American Museum. With just one month to prepare, Dakota was able to coordinate a highly successful event. Additionally, Dakota worked with LACCD to organize an enrollment week on several community college campuses, which was also well-received and highly successful.
Ultimately, Dakota was able to achieve its goals of increasing awareness of Covered California and enrollment in health plans in the African American communities of Los Angeles County. Dakota was able to reach people who had little knowledge of Covered California and also those who had the knowledge but no access to enrollers. Through Dakota’s efforts, Covered California’s profile was raised and enrollment numbers increased for African Americans in Los Angeles County.