A principle function of the Black Affairs Advisory Council, as stated in its charter, is to assist the Social Security Administration in its efforts to improve services in African American Communities.

One of the ways in which BAAC’s members can assist SSA in enhancing service to minority communities, such as the African American community, is by disseminating information about the Agency’s programs in the communities where they live.

Budget constraints and other factors make it difficult for the Agency to disseminate vital information in many minority communities – urban and rural communities in particular. To assist the Agency with its educational efforts, BAAC is committed to a ” COMMUNITY OUTREACH Initiative.” This initiative will use BAAC members as agents who can provide information about SSA programs to under served minority communities.

BAAC can assist the Agency in meeting its goal of customer responsive world class service by addressing communication concerns within some African American communities that often present special problems.

Presently, several BAAC Chapters are engaged in this type of community informational outreach effort. BAAC Chapters in many regions are successfully disseminating information about Social Security programs to churches, civic groups, schools, community forums, and community organizations. For example representatives from one chapter make regular appearances on community oriented radio and television stations sharing information about SSA programs to local audiences.

Because of the success of these BAAC Chapters in dissemination information about SSA programs in their communities, BAAC’s National Coordination Committee has developed a national initiative to include all BAAC chapters entitled “BAAC IN THE COMMUNITY.”

With assistance from the Office of communications through training videos, and written guidelines on communicating effectively with the public, BAAC chapters can further assist the Agency by disseminating information about SSA programs through their involvement and commitment to the “BAAC IN THE COMMUNITY” initiative outreach program.