ADVOCACY 101 TRAINING February 3, 2017 Stacey Jefferson Policy - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ADVOCACY 101 TRAINING

February 3, 2017 Stacey Jefferson Policy Manager

ADVOCACY- WHAT IS IT ANYWAY?

• To advocate (verb): To speak or write in favor of;

support or urge by argument; recommend publicly

• Advocate (noun): A person who speaks or writes in

support or defense of a person or cause; to plead for or in behalf of another; to plead the cause of another in a court of law

DESCRIBING ADVOCACY

• Education
• Raising awareness
• Working with public officials
• Building relationships with local leaders
• Coalition building and mobilization of resources

OR, ANOTHER WAY TO THINK OF IT….

Advocacy is the educational process through which data, experiences and insight are shared with those who craft public policy so that they may make informed decisions.

TYPES OF ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES

• Direct communication with legislators, policymakers, and

media

• Testify at hearings in Annapolis and before the City

Council

• Participate in policy forums and other events
• Participate in media and public awareness campaigns
• Subscribe to policy alerts

MEDIA ADVOCACY

• Promotion of an organizations objectives or goals which

stem from the vision and mission of the organization

• Based on premise that real improvements in health status

come from improvements in social conditions

• Assumes that the root cause of health problems is a

power gap not an information gap

• Shifts focus from giving people a message about their

personal health to giving communities a voice in defining and acting on public health issues

TIPS FOR MEDIA ADVOCACY

Tips for Media Interactions

• Be available
• Be open and generous
• Be trustworthy
• Be accurate
• Be pleasant and respectful

Goals for Media Interactions

• Agenda Setting
• Shaping the debate
• Advancing the Policy

TESTIFYING BEFORE LAWMAKERS

MD General Assembly- https://vimeo.com/173487316/443bf8b376 Baltimore City Council- https://youtu.be/gah2j3EccXQ?list=PLHAa8zfKf5XNvP6BY SQWBCOtug0_eIlIu

TELLING YOUR STORY

Why is it important?

• Legislators, their staff, and media know little about MH

and SUD treatment

• Treatment works and recovery is possible
• You are the experts
• They want to hear from you

TELLING YOUR STORY

Tips to Remember

• Be Concise
• Remain confident
• Speak in terms everyone understands
• Never try to make more that three points
• Make an ask

ADVOCACY TOOLS

• BHSB Website and Policy Alerts

www.bhsbaltimore.org

• National Council Behavioral Health

www.TheNationalCouncil.org

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVOCACY

Here is how you can take action:

• Sign up to receive BHSB’s newsletter and new policy

updates

• Work with BHSB to invite policy makers to tour your

facility

• Participate in the KTDO Rally in Annapolis
• Share your story. Provide testimony at public hearings

KTDO Rally February 23 @ Noon Lawyers Mall in Annapolis

One North Charles Street, Suite 1300 Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: 410-637-1900 Web: www.BHSBaltimore.org Facebook: BHSBaltimor more Twitter: @BHSBaltimor more

Envisioning a city where people live and thrive in communities that promote and support behavioral health.

CONTACT US

Stacey Jefferson

Stacey.Jefferson@BHSBaltimore.org