NHCOA is uniquely successful in reaching its community because it conducts outreach on three levels –community, institution and interpersonal. On the community level, It focuses intervention with its network of community-based organizations and senior centers, recognizing that these organizations are generally the most effective means of reaching individual community members and families, as well as effecting local institutions and policy. Local community-based organizations and senior centers are known and trusted in their communities and therefore provide an avenue to reach even the very hard-to-reach members of the communities. NHCOA takes a holistic approach to supporting and strengthening these organizations so that they can operate effectively. For example, NHCOA provides targeted training seminars to affiliates on topics ranging from resource development, to program operations, management and governance and program-specific service provision, including health. Before targeting any specific issues, NHCOA works with participating affiliates to carry out an assessment. These assessments seek input from Hispanic older adults and their families on the nature of the problem to be addressed. NHCOA then works with affiliates to finalize a program that is specifically responsive to the information gathered in the assessment.

On an institutional level, NHCOA has found that strong coalitions are most effective in addressing the problems faced by Hispanic families, as barriers to solving the problem often exist on multiple levels. NHCOA then, works with affiliates to establish strong local and national coalitions. In the health field, these coalitions often include local health departments and other public agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, the local and national media and corporations. In cases where public policy changes could greatly address the problem NHCOA works as an advocate on a national level and with its affiliates on a state and local level to effect policy changes.

On an interpersonal level, a key element in NHCOA health program planning is the use of community health advocates or promotores de salud. Promotores are lay health educators, trained by NHCOA and the local affiliated community-based organization to be experts on the issues that are the focus of current programs, i.e. immunization, diabetes, Medicare, etc. As members of the community to which they conduct outreach, promotores are uniquely able to reach hard-to-reach members of the Hispanic community. Often, they know these members personally and are able to work with them in a linguistically- and culturally-appropriate manner. In addition, promotores are also bilingual and are comfortable within U.S. mainstream culture. They are able to bridge cultural and language gaps between members of their community and members of the broader society, including healthcare providers. In other program areas, NHCOA uses the same model with outreach workers and volunteers to connect with residents on an interpersonal basis.