your voice matters: advocacy and public engagement for early childhood
TRANSCRIPT
Your Voice Matters:Advocacy and Public
Engagement for Early Childhood
www.everychildmatters.org
ECM Goals
• Build a state-wide network of grassroots advocates
• Raise awareness of and provide community education on children’s issues and public investment needs
• Lobby at the State and National capitols on children’s issues
• Conduct advocacy trainings• Get children’s issues elected
Mission:
Every Child Matters will be a
powerful voice for public
policies that support children
and families.
Every Child MattersProvides You With:
• Position statements on issues that affect children and families
• Website with current information and updates on legislation affecting children
• Lobbyists at the Nation’s Capitol• Advocacy alerts• Resources• Tips and training on advocacy
Every Child Matters Advocacy Priorities
• Quality Early Care and Education and After School Programs
• Child Well-Being and Healthy Development
• Child and Family Economic Success • Child Safety at Home, School and in
their Communities
Quality Early Care and Education and After School
• Early Learning & School Readiness• Affordability for all• High-Quality Programs• Birth-to-Eight Initiatives• Head Start• Pre-K• Early Intervention
Child Well-Being and Development
• Child Health & Dental Care Coverage for all children
• Healthy Child Development• Mental and Behavioral Health
Child and Family Economic Success
• Child Care Assistance• Earned Income & Child Tax Credits• Paid Leave & Sick Days• Job Training• Safety Net Programs• Livable Wages
Child Safety
• Home Visiting• Family Resource Centers• Child Abuse &
Neglect Programs• Foster Care• Safe Communities• Safe Schools
The Three-Legged Stool
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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First leg
Advocacy 101
• Advocate: a person who supports or speaks in favor; a person who pleads for another; defend.
What is Advocacy?
• To most of us, the word “advocacy” seems somewhat mysterious.
• Definition: to speak up or to plead a case; verbal support or argument for a cause, policy, etc.
• It is a basic constitutional right.
Basic Advocacy is Easy!• Speak up• Tell your story• Be part of a group• Learn from someone who
knows the ropes• It’s not an interrogation• “I’ll get back to you with an
answer.”• Don’t be afraid of being
rejected• Practice, practice, practice
You might be an advocate if you’ve ever …• given your opinion in a town meeting• returned a faulty product to a store• stood up for someone who was being
unfairly treated in public• written a letter to a business about poor or
outstanding services received• participated in a “Get Out the Vote” effort
for a bill you supported• met with your legislator to discuss concerns
in your community
10The Advocacy Top Ten List
10. Get to know your legislators. 9. Learn the legislative process. 8. Develop Deeper Relationships (DDR). 7. Be open to negotiation. 6. Be honest, straight-forward and realistic. 5. Timing. 4. Be sure to follow-up with legislators and their staff. 3. Recognize the sensitivity of issues that involve
government and family. 2. Always say “thanks.” 1. Have staying power and be persistent.
(in no particular order)
levels of advocacy
Testify at the Capitol
Work with the Media
Visit Your Legislator
Connect Legislators to Local Efforts
Organize a Letter Campaign
Communicate with Your Legislator
Make the Community Connection
Share Your Story
Find Out Who Represents You
Be Informed
10
Making a Difference
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Second leg
House of Representatives – 435Senate – 100
Spending on Children as a Share of the Total Federal Budget - 2013
8%
19%
21%25%
5%
22%
ChildrenNational DefenseAdult Medicare/MedicaidAdult Social Security/SSI/Vets BenefitsInterest on DebtAll Other
Total Federal Spending on Children: $280.1 Billion
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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Third leg
Media“Good advocates regard the media as deserving as much attention as working with elected officials and working with the grassroots.”
The challenge: • Children’s issues aren’t
“sexy.” • There are many issues
competing for the attention of decision makers.
The Media Include … • Television
― news, cable and public service announcements
• Radio — talk shows and public radio
• Print media— newspapers, magazines and newsletters
• Web — your website, links to other advocacy
groups, fact sheets and reports
• Social media — Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
ADVO
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And Finally …
Your Vote, Your Voice!Help advance smartpublic policies by:• Speaking Up, • Finding Out,• Joining In, • Voting! Visit our website today to join us and sign up for e-mails.
www.everychildmatters.org
