Advocacy: It s Easier than You Think!

Transcription

1 Advocacy: It s Easier than You Think! Nichole Westin Director of State Legislative Affairs SNA Wednesday, July 16 from 1:30 2:30 PM

2 The Plan Legislative Process Overview Advocacy 101 Case Study Resources/Update on State Policy Questions

3 Congressional Committee House Education and the Workforce Committee Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee

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5 Regulatory Process Federal regulations are the actual enforceable laws authorized by legislation. Congress Jurisdiction USDA Jurisdiction Law Regulation Policy & Guidance

6 Regulatory Process: Rule Making Congress Passes Law Agency Drafts Proposed Rule Public Comment Period Agency Implements Rules Agency Releases Final Rule

7 Regulations from HHFKA Since passage of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, the following regulations have been enacted or will be. Meal Pattern new nutritional guidelines for the NSLP. Enacted in Fall Breakfast Guidelines new nutritional standards for breakfast. Rolled out starting in Competitive Foods/ Smart Snacks currently under interim final rule with implementation starting July 2014.

8 Regulations from HHFKA (cont.) Professional Standards SNA submitted comments on proposed rule. Awaiting final rule. Local Wellness Policies SNA submitted comments on proposed rule. Awaiting final rule. Fresh Fruit and Veggie Pilot Awaiting final rule. Fines for School Food Program Mismanagement awaiting publication of proposed rule. Comments likely due 90 days post publication.

9 Advocacy 101: Grassroots

10 What is the Problem? More access to programs? More funding? Summer feeding sites

11 What are the Policies? Developing policies to fit the problems can be hard. Find the path between what you want and what is feasible. What is workable? Looking at those what has gone before good and bad. What is the cost? Keep it simple.

12 What are the Politics? Important to understand current political environment. Some years will be easier than others to implement legislation. Consider if it s an election year, budget considerations, previous speeches such as State of the States. Triggering events. Media Story

13 Engagement w. Government Identify the key players of your state government State Agency, Gov s Office, Committees of Leg Chamber. Focus on building the relationship with you as the resource on school nutrition programs. Facts emphasized with personal stories. Keep lines of communication open occasional s, etc. Use Cafeteria site visits, breakfast in the office, etc to showcase benefits of program. Establish a relationship before a crisis.

14 Media Outreach Talk with your district communications staff: Ask for tips on reporters to pitch Discuss a possible media event in the cafeteria Learn restrictions on film/photography Discuss media ideas with supportive legislators/staff ID spokesperson Put a face on the issue: Passionate cafeteria staff Supportive principals, teachers Parents

15 Prep Talking Points Boil it down to a compelling sound byte Tie to academic achievement Include data/stats # of children served Financial impact SNA s Trends/Operations Report may help! Add interest/relevance with stories and specific examples Practice makes perfect!

16 Plan an Event At the capitol: Invite reporter to attend meeting with supportive legislator Host a press conference with SN professionals from across the state Invite supportive legislator to visit cafeteria Tie event to existing hook (eg NSBW, NSLW, B2S)

17 Invite the media to visit! Consider all reporters Education Political/Community Food Health/wellness Columnist Invite a TV/Radio personality or columnist to serve or taste test a meal Identify media released students

18 Creating a Coalition What is your common ground and goals? Who are your natural allies? Anti Hunger Groups (Share our Strength, food pantries) Education groups (PTA, School Boards) Anti poverty groups Who are unique groups to work with? Local athletes/teams Farmers/food producers Grassroots Efforts

19 Who is Against? In case there is opposition, good to know the other side s arguments. When preparing talking points, reference their points and refute with facts. Communicate! Reach out to see if there is room for discussion. Work towards a cordial, respectful relationship

20 Smoothing Policy Road Bumps Having established relationship with policy makers will help. Letters or talking points that address specifics on: how the legislation will negatively impact your program, Impact on your budget or the states, and if possible, options for amending the legislation. Offer to provide testimony or a written statement during a committee hearing. Ask to table legislation or vote no when it comes up for a vote. Grassroots efforts.

21 Letters to the Editor Respond to a negative story with a local perspective Check paper s opinion page for submission rules (200 word limit, etc) Op eds/editorial Board meetings

22 State Policy Case Study: Vermont and Elimination of Reduced Price Lunch Category

23 A Marathon, not a Sprint: VT Reduced Price Elimination Timeline (2 legislative sessions) Legislation to have the State of Vermont cover the 30 student cost of reduced price breakfast August 2008: No more reduced price school breakfast in VT! 2009 and 2010 Legislative Session Recession induced budget crisis makes it impossible to go for lunch Passed a no cost bills supporting child nutrition programs.

24 VT Reduced Price Elimination Timeline It took 3 legislative sessions ( ) 2011 Session: Legislation introduced to have the State of Vermont cover the 40 student cost of reduced price school lunch dies in the Education Committees 2012 Session: Legislation re introduced; House Education Committee unanimously supports, but won t forward to Appropriations because there is no source of funding attached 2013 Session: Legislation re introduced in both House and Senate; Education and Appropriations Committees approve, House and Senate both pass the bill! What changed? The Governor put the provision in the annual budget sent to the legislature. Legislators would have had to vote to remove funding for hungry children from the budget.

25 Creating a Coalition Who were the allies in VT? Hunger Free Vermont SNA VT School nutrition professionals Farm to School movement/farmers Professional Organizations (principals, superintendents, school boards, teachers union) Key legislators on key committees (Ed & Aprops) Commissioner of Education & CNP staff Governor s Policy Advisor and then the Governor

26 Message for Schools

27 Message for Vermont s Economy This bill is good for Vermont farms because additional reimbursement will expand each school s ability to purchase local Vermont foods. This bill is good for Town budgets because it will reduce school meal program debts.

28 Message for Opposing Legislators

29 Successful Strategies Before the Session Collect data: increased participation and revenues realized with the elimination of reduced price breakfast From districts that had already eliminated reducedprice lunch on their own Find champions on key committees & in state agencies ask them to help you design your strategy figure out what they need out of this

30 Successful Strategies: Education Com. Small group of students went without breakfast & testified before the Education Committees about their experiences trying to learn (2008) Organized SFS Directors to personally contact their legislators and collected testimony from SFS Directors and parents from the towns of Committee members Support from Agency of Education, NEA, School Boards Association

31 Successful Strategies: Appropriations Com. Data driven arguments Advocacy day with allies (every year) Survey Monkey petition signatures organized by Town Endorsements from other unions and Vermont businesses big posters with their logos

32 End Result Governor signed bill into law Spring Provided $350,000 from General Fund to cover costs. Implemented August Statewide, a 6% increase in the enrollment of reduced price eligible students in school meal programs with up to a 40% increase in some districts.

33 SNA Resources and Policy Update

34 State Legislation 2014 MN Elimination of reduced price lunch and free breakfast for kindergartners CT Veto chocolate milk ban CO Expansion of reduced price lunch up to 5 th grade WA Defeated unfunded breakfast mandate NM Breakfast after the bell with appropriations. NJ Multiple Farm to School Bills

35 Advocacy Guides and Tools State Advocacy Grassroots, Step by Step, Policy Bumps, Case Studies. Hiring Lobbyist State Position Paper Coming Soon: Legislation vs. Regulation Guide to Budget & Appropriations

36 Current policies across the states Research and Reports Competitive Foods Meal Mandates Reimbursement Rates Summaries and Trends Updated yearly and located on SNA Website

37 State Policy Assistance Tracking state legislation with monthly summaries. Assistance in: Drafting testimony and talking points Lobbying tips Template letters to members of State Legislative Bodies Special projects/research

38 SNA s PR Tools Can Help! Visit /pr Media Outreach Best Practices Guide Talking points Media tips For more, contact: media@schoolnutrition.org

39 Cafeteria Site Visits The best way to showcase your program! Advocacy (state and federal) and media. Cafeteria Site Visit Guide on SNA Website Sweepstakes! Have a sitting Member of Congress visit your cafeteria and enter to win a trip for two to LAC 2015!

40 Marathon Not A Sprint (except when it is) Positive policy development can take years or it can take weeks. Never doubt that you are the experts for your programs and the best advocates. Engagement, communication, and education. Nwestin@schoolnutrition.org