Session Zero Implementation

a best practice recommendation from NCOA

Pennsylvania Community Living Initiative

Stanford Master Trainer Monthly Conference Call -

Training Session

January 31, 2017, 9-10am

This project was supported, in part by grant number 90CS0053-01-00, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living,

Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government

sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore,

necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

Overview

Session Zero

o What, Why, When

• Types of Session Zero

• Presentation Materials

• Conclusion

Session Zero: What?

Definition:

Information session offered prior to

Session One of workshop as a marketing

tool.

Arizona Living Well Institute

Session Zero

Why?

Session Zero

Increase number of

workshop participants

Fact A recent study found that Session Zero may facilitate enrollment,

increase participant retention, and foster positive views of the program. ncoa.org, 2016

Session Zero

First Step to Self-Management

Provides an opportunity to explain the program purpose,

benefits, content, and time commitment

Assist potential participants assess his/her readiness to attend a

workshop

Confirm the commitment of those who are interested in or have

already registered for a workshop.

Session Zero

Answer questions and concerns

Opportunity to meet facilitators

Demonstrate activities that take place during the program

Serves as an opportunity to collect baseline data, and alleviate

administrative burden on workshop facilitators.

Ensures time is not taken away from Session One of the

workshop.

Session Zero

Team Effort

Building/Property Manager

Director

Assistant Director

Service Coordinator

Social Worker

Tenant Council President

Other key team members Building Relationships

Session Zero

When?

When to Offer Session Zero?

One to four weeks prior to workshop

Depending on Type

(Registration/Presentation)

Availability

Note: If you are using Session Zero as the time to fill out

paperwork, then is should be the week before the

workshop starts

Ideal Session Zero Situation

Prior to Session Zero (3 weeks)

o newsletters, calendars, fliers

Host Session Zero During:

o regularly scheduled group meeting

o health fair

o resident/tenant council meeting

o lunchtime

When marketing the workshop, also market Session Zero!

Allows time to market if less than ten

people sign up

Allows organizers to know the

numbers of interested persons for

future programs and create a wait list

If you sign up more than 20, you’ll

have time to schedule another

workshop, or create a waiting list for

the next one

Ideal Session Zero Situation

Types of Session Zero

Stanford’s verses Modified

Know Your Audience!

Stanford’s Session Zero Version

“You Can Break the Symptom Cycle”

45-60 minutes

Provides a snapshot of workshop

materials

Has a prepared script that can be

altered to your needs

Allows time for questions and also to

organize a class time, date from

participant input

Modified Session Zero

Informal, short (up to 30 minutes),

simple, and easy to put together

Can be modified to fit the needs of the

group

45-60 minutes if completing forms

Provides an overview of the workshop

and materials

Introduces facilitators to participants

Presentation Materials

Session Zero Presentation Materials

Script

Flip chart & Markers

Workshop Charts

Easel/Tape

Living a Healthy Life

Resource Book

Relaxation CD & CD Player

Session Zero Presentation Materials

Flyers

Sign-up Sheet

Pens/Pencils

Copies of Workshop

Overview/Fact Sheet

Participant Surveys

Business Cards

Small Incentive to Say,

“Thank You”

Conclusion

Preparing for Session Zero

Stay in contact with facility hosting the Session Zero

Reminder phone calls to participants before the Session Zero

Tailor Materials for your Audience

Make sure you have all of the materials needed for the type of

Session Zero you’ll be conducting

Invite the host location’s contact person(s)

References

National Council on Aging. (2016). Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Six weeks to a healthier life. Retrieved

from https://www.ncoa.org/resources/sample-presentation-conducting-session-zero-in-prisons/

National Council on Aging. (September 2013). CDSMP Workshops Session Zero (Informational Session) Script.

Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/resources/cdsme-session-zero-sample-script/

National Council on Aging. (2015). Successful Completion of CDSMP Workshops: Can session zero make a

difference? Retrieve from https://www.ncoa.org/resources/webinar-successful-completion-of-cdsmp-workshops-can-

session-zero-make-a-difference/

National Council on Aging. (June 2016). Tip Sheet: Increasing Completion of Chronic Disease Self-Management

Education (CDSME) Workshops. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/resources/increase-participant-completion/

National Council on Aging. (2016). “To Do or Not To Do?” Zero Session. Retrieved from

https://www.ncoa.org/resources/sample-presentation-to-do-or-not-to-do-session-zero/

Resource

National Council on Aging. (2017). CDSMP: Health for a life time. Retrieved from

https://www.ncoa.org/resources/cdsmp-health-for-a-lifetime/

National Council on Aging. (2017). Recruitment video: Chronic disease self-management program. Retrieved from

https://www.ncoa.org/resources/recruitment-video-chronic-disease-self-management-program-english/

Questions and

Answers

Thank You!