o4a Advocacy Conference Dr. E. Douglas Beach, CEO Cyndi Rossi, Legislative Liaison Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging March 20, 2019 1
Today’s Advocacy in Motion’s (AIM) Presentation 1. Recruiting, training and engaging members of your community to be effective advocates. 2. Developing tools, training and printed materials to support the work of your advocates and legislative priorities. 3. Developing a sustainable advocacy initiative. 2
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Mandated Advocacy Role le Sec. 1321.61 Advocacy responsibilities of the area agency. The area agency shall serve as the public advocate for the development or enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community based systems of services in each community throughout the planning and service area 4
Why Start an Advocacy In Init itiative? To address issues and concerns related to older adults and individuals with disabilities To increase services and programs To increase communications among groups To develop political clout To amplify the voices of those you serve 5
Organizational Structure WRAAA Board of Trustees CEO Extension of the OAA Federal mandate that the CEO is the prime advocate for services in the AAA Five County Public Policy Advocacy in Motion Advisory Council Committee (AIM) AIM Team AIM Team AIM Team AIM Team AIM Team Geauga Lorain Medina Cuyahoga Lake County County County County County 6
Train Volu lunteers How To Be e Effective Advocates Advocacy training should include: What is advocacy and why is it important? What are effective advocacy methods? What are the advocacy do’s and don’ts? How to communicate effectively with elected officials 7
Advocacy Trainings 8
Recruiting Volunteers • Research sources of potential volunteers in your community and your networks. • Develop a volunteer application and brochure. • Develop plans to engage volunteers. • Convince potential volunteers to become active volunteers. 9
Educate Your Volunteers Educate volunteers on legislative issues and priorities • WRAAA - home and community based services that help alleviate isolation and loneliness: • Home Delivered Meals • Transportation 10
Negative Health Effects of Is Isolation and Loneliness Associated with high rates of: • Chronic health condition including heart disease • Weakened immune system • Depression and anxiety • Dementia, including Alzhiemer’s disease • Admission to nursing homes or use of emergency services • Death 11
Legislative Priority: Food In Insecurity 12
Legislators Deliver Meals 13
Engage Your Volu lunteers: Testify fy 14
Engage Your Volunteers: Meetings with Legislators 15
Engage Your Volunteers: Letter Writing Campaign 16
Engage Volunteers: Paper Plate Campaign 17
Engage Your Volunteers: Paper Plate Campaign 18
Engaged Your Volu lunteers: Senior Hunger Advocacy Day • 40 advocates dedicated their day to meet with 17 State legislators • Event Sponsors: Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, o4a, Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, and The Center for Community Solutions 19
How to Sustain Your In Init itiative • Communicate • Emails • Regularly scheduled meetings • Volunteer Recruitment/Engagement Activities • Provide training and hold community forums • Report on Activities • Newsletter/Annual Report • Your Agency’s Board/Committee • Evaluate for feedback 20
Engage Cli lients: Personal Stories • Powerful advocacy tool • Puts a ‘face’ to the issue • Personal stories have value and meaning 21
Senior Hunger Advocacy Day Tuesday, May 7th Sheraton Capital Square Hotel Brief Training & Continental Breakfast Legislative Rooms Sponsored by WRAAA/AIM and Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Center for Community Solutions 22
Contact In Information Dr. E. Douglas Beach, CEO WRAAA Direct Line: (216) 727-2621 Email Address: dbeach@areaagingsolutions.org Cyndi Rossi, Legislative Liaison WRAAA Direct Line: 216.727.2622 Email Address: crossi@areaagingsolutions.org 23
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