TexProtects, The Texas Association for the Protection of Children Advocating for Your Cause: The 4 “I’s” of Advocacy and Rules of Engagement Presented by TexProtects, The Texas Association for the Protection of Children

The “I’s” of Advocacy Identify Interest Inform Investment

5 Tips for Successful Advocacy “There are numerous ways to successful advocacy. Its an art rather than a science.” – Madeline McClure Rules of Engagement Know your Audience & Build Relationships (Identify) Tell the Story and Engage (Build Interest) Tailor your Message (Inform) Know your Stats, Facts, and Figures (Inform) Make the Ask and Be Persistent! (Investment)

Know your Audience Step 1: Know your Audience: The Rules of Engagement Who has jurisdiction over your issue? Is it a Legislator? City councilmember? County judge? Identify the “leadership” and who represents you. You are a constituent of many. Please note: staff are bridges and gatekeepers to elected officials. Oftentimes they are just as critical to reach and educate. Know the priorities of your target audience. How does your issue fit within their larger priorities? Always do bio or background checks! You may share a common interest or run in similar circles. (The 6 degrees of separation) Build and foster those key relationships! It doesn’t happen overnight.

Find out Who Represents You State Representatives (Senator and Representative): http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx County Representation: http://www.dallascounty.org/department/comcrt/whois.php City Council: http://dallascityhall.com/government/Pages/city- council.aspx

Tell the Story & Build Interest Step 2: Tell The Story and Engage (Build Interest) Why does your issue matter? Before advocating, you must first build interest in an issue. Don’t define an issue without providing a solution! Collaborate with other organizations and individuals with similar goals/missions Organize an event and ask your legislator or representative to attend Get in touch with local media to cover your issue: Op-Eds Human Interest Story Blog

Tailor your Message: Inform Don’t Say Do Say “home visiting” “family support home visiting” or “family coaching” “parent” or “child” or “mom” or “dad” in isolation “parents and child” or “family” “two-generation” “tell people how to be better parents” “work alongside and coach parents” “works” “evidence-based” “outcomes” “impact” “all families” “at-risk” or “vulnerable” Step 3: Tailor you Message (home visiting as an example) When defining your program to prospective funders or supporters, there are some do’s and don’ts. Know the “buzz” words Don’t assume they know. Be careful of acronyms – spell it out. You will likely only have 15 minutes to make your case.

Example Example Definition: Parents as Teachers (or other program) is an evidence-based, voluntary, family support home visiting program that works with at-risk families with young children, 0-5. Working with families in a two-generation approach, within the comfort of their home environment during the most critical time in a child’s development. When families are provided with access to resources, support, and education in their homes from professionals (such as nurses, healthcare providers, or social workers), they receive the help they need to become more resilient, better able to handle stress, and more confident raising their children. As a result, children are able to live safer and healthier lives, which sets them up on a trajectory where they are on track to grow and learn.

Know your Stats, Facts, Figures: Inform Step 4: Know your Stats, Facts, and Figures (Inform) Verifiable data is your strongest partner Know your Current Reach and Need: Know how many families you are reaching in THEIR school district, legislative district, county, etc. Don’t forget about the need. Clearly articulate the unmet need and the # of families additional $ could serve. Example: There are nearly 225,000 families with children under age 5 in Texas that could greatly benefit from family support programs like home visiting. We are only reaching 10% of those families. Additional funding could serve X more families in need. Know your ROI – Return on Investment: Business leaders want to make smart investments. If you know your program’s ROI, use it!

Know your Stats, Facts, Figures: Inform Step 4: Know your Stats, Facts, and Figures Cont’d Know your Outcomes: Give results! If you are advocating for a program that exists or being implemented, know most recent outcomes in the local community. Don’t assume because something worked somewhere else, it works in Dallas or Texas. Build the case. Don’t overpromise outcomes (critical!). You will be held accountable to demonstrate those outcomes. Know what your program or solution does and doesn’t do. Show visuals rather than just numbers or words on a page. Always have your data sources and references to show credibility.

Example Example Outcomes that Resonate (example outcomes across multiple HV programs – demonstrate the continuum/impact across lifespan):

Make the Ask and Be Persistent (Investment) Step 5: Make the Ask and Stay Persistent One meeting likely won’t yield the result you want. You must be persistent, no matter your audience. Don’t forget to make the ask. Be sure to leave a meeting with a request. What specifically do you want them to do? Again, have a solution -> don’t just go with a problem . Follow-up after meetings. Write letters, send pictures of your program. Keep in front of your audience. They have lots of other programs, funding priorities, interests Share program successes as frequently as possible Ask them to go on a ride along or visit your program. Nothing is more powerful than seeing the work happen.

Contact Us Madeline McClure, CEO madeline@texprotects.org Pamela McPeters, Director of Public Policy pamela@texprotects.org Sophie Phillips, COO sophie@texprotects.org

References National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, “The Science of Early Childhood Development.” http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/childcare/documents/scienceearlychildhooddevelopment.pdf (Accessed August 5, 2011). Child Welfare Information Gateway, “Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect,” (2008). (accessed February 4, 2011). http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.pdf. Pew Charitable Trusts. (February 2015). Communicating the Data for Performance Initiative. http://www.texprotects.org/media/uploads/data_for_performance_initiative_communicaitons_(3).pdf