Advocacy 101: It s So Easy. ASHA Government Relations and Public Policy Board

Transcription

1 Advocacy 101: It s So Easy ASHA Government Relations and Public Policy Board

2 Grassroots Advocacy grass roots ordinary people the ordinary people in a community or the ordinary members of an organization, as opposed to the leadership. ad vo ca cy giving aid to a cause active verbal support for a cause or position.

3 Get Empowered! Here s How Learn about the system. Learn about the proposed legislative and regulatory changes. Push for communication between professional and consumer groups. Find out who to contact!

4 Why Be An Advocate? We are the experts! We can use our expertise to educate elected officials and encourage them to increase their commitment to goals we find important.

5 Why Be An Advocate? Share knowledge and expertise: Professionals students legislators Encourage professional student interaction: Increased cohesiveness for future grassroots efforts. Group advocacy has its benefits: There is strength in numbers!

6 Understanding Advocacy: The Break Down The 2 types of Grassroots Advocacy: Legislative Advocacy Regulatory Advocacy

7 Legislative Advocacy is aimed at: Introducing a bill in the U.S. Congress or state legislature. Changing a bill that has been introduced. Opposing a bill that has been introduced. Ensuring that a bill is enacted into law.

8 Regulatory Advocacy is aimed at: Influencing governmental agencies that are responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and enforcing regulations (federal or state levels).

9 Ex. Federal Legislative & Regulatory Activities Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) SLP Medicare Provider Status Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

10 Ex. State Legislative & Regulatory Activities State licensure laws for speech language pathologists and audiologists. State education regulations credentialing, case load, etc. State health department regulations mandating universal newborn and infant hearing screening. State Medicaid programs.

11 Local/Community Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy Involves: Actions that occur through the initiatives of elected or appointed local representatives. Regulations related to counties, townships, municipalities, cities, and school districts.

12 How Can ASHA Support You? Prepare and disseminate materials. Facilitate congressional visits. Analyze federal legislation that affects the professions of speech language pathology and audiology and prepare talking points to facilitate knowledgeable dialogue with congress persons and their staff. Coordinate grassroots advocacy initiatives for members of NSSHLA and ASHA.

13 How Can ASHA Support You? Lobby Congress on behalf of the professions. Participate in other political activities: Ex: coalition building on mutual legislative objectives. Increase visibility of the professions to Congress. Provide key contact information.

14 Role of GRPP Board in Grassroots Advocacy GRPP = Government Relations and Public Policy Develops ASHA s Public Policy Agenda with input from membership. Provides advocacy training and education to leadership groups. Coordinates communication with state speechlanguage hearing associations.

15 Role of PAC in Grassroots Advocacy PAC = Political Action Committee Influence the election of individuals to public office who can affect policy change impacting the professions. Raise funds for distribution to legislators to promote current professional issues. Facilitate the understanding of the necessity of PAC funds among professional members.

16 States and ASHA Working Together Monitor state legislative activities that may affect the professions and consumers we serve. Facilitate communication among states regarding legislative trends. Identify legislative objectives for a state association to focus on to advance the professions. Develop and maintain a member grassroots advocacy network. Educate members about grassroots advocacy.

17 Students and Grassroots Student Role: UNDERSTAND the importance of being an on going advocate for the professions. PARTICIPATE in opportunities to learn about and engage in professional grassroots advocacy efforts. HOW: Coordinate a student group at your University to engage in grassroots advocacy.

18 Effective Meetings with Legislators Lay the groundwork. Contact your Representative and Senators. Explain who you are and why you want to meet. Confirm your appointment. Be prepared for your visit. Be prompt in arriving and patient if you must wait for your visit.

19 With Whom are You Meeting? Federal Member of Congress Paid Legislative Staff Chief of Staff Legislative Director Legislative Assistant Legislative Correspondent Unpaid Staff Interns Fellows State Legislator Legislative Staff Committee Staff Other Government Officials

20 Federal Committees That Are Important To Our Professions House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Budget Committee Ways and Means Committee Energy and Commerce Committee Education and Labor Committee Senate Appropriations Committee Budget Committee Finance Committee Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

21 Effective Meetings with Legislators REMEMBER: You are the constituent AND the expert in your field. Bring business cards and any issuerelated materials with you. Keep your visit to 15 minutes or less.

22 Effective Meetings with Legislators Identify yourself. Identify your subject. Focus on one or two points. State your position clearly and concisely. Express your views reasonably. Do not argue.

23 Effective Meetings with Legislators Thank the member or staff for their time/consideration of your position. If you have met with helpful staff, let your legislator know. Follow up with a thank you letter and request to be kept informed about the issue.

24 Building and Maintaining Good Relationships Face to face appointment. Follow up with a thank you note and telephone call. Keep in contact by sending an e mail or calling at least twice a year. Send holiday cards. Attend local political fundraisers, events, and barbecues that are sponsored by the legislator. Write a letter of support to the editor of your local newspaper describing your legislator s efforts and cc the legislator s office.

25 Feedback? E mail us at grassroots@asha.org speechprof@gmail.com lindajc3@gmail.com