SBHC Advocacy Basics

2 What is advocacy? ad·vo·ca·cy Pronunciation: 'ad-v&-k&-sE Function: noun The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

Why advocate? Secure funding for your program Influence existing power structure Expand services at your program Integrate your program into the community Get help in forwarding your agenda Protect yourself from “attack” Offer yourself as a resource Have your voice heard and/or strengthened Create change

Key questions to ask when developing an advocacy plan What will success look like in your SBHC? What do you want to accomplish politically? Are there small steps you can take to get there? What resources do you have? (human, financial, partnerships, relationships) Who will do the advocacy/ Who are the participants?: Who will benefit from your vision? Who will stand beside you to achieve your vision? Which elected/appointed officials have the power to give you your goal? What actions will the participants take to win the campaign? What messages will you use?

A convenient and strategic model to organize your advocacy plan Policy Goals ResourcesParticipants Decision Maker Actions Long Term: Short Term: What do you have? ( money, volunteers, political support, community relationships ) What do you want? ( money, volunteers, political support, community relationships ) Challenges to overcome Who is directly impacted by SBHCs: Which organizations share a common mission: Who will oppose the SBHC: Primary Decision Maker: Secondary Decision Maker(s): Model from Midwest Academy;

Deciding your advocacy goal, choose a goal that will… Advance the mission of the SBHC. Advance the mission of the SBHC. Be winnable. Be winnable. Be easy to understand to decision makers and the public. Be easy to understand to decision makers and the public. Have a clear time frame that works for you. Have a clear time frame that works for you. Have clear decision maker(s). Have clear decision maker(s). Be non-divisive in the school and community. Be non-divisive in the school and community. Be motivating to others to get involved. Be motivating to others to get involved.

Determining your resources Do you have the support of your sponsoring agency? Are there groups/ classes in the school that can contribute? What percentage of the SBHC staff time is dedicated to advocacy? How active is the advisory committee? Is there money in the budget for advocacy?

Who will participants in the advocacy campaign? Parents Students Health care providers Teachers School administration Community members School board members State legislators State health and education officials Employers Family members Friends YOU

9 Selecting the decision maker What decision making power do they have? What is their knowledge of and interest level in SBHCs? What other political interests do they have? Do you have a prior relationship with them?

Actions to win the campaign Visits to school-based health centers Personal letters Telephone calls s Post card campaigns Petitions Letters to the editor Public forums/town hall meetings Advocacy Days Face to face meetings

The Message Circle: a structure to communicate SBHC messages

Example: National Advocacy Messages ACTION: The federal government needs to provide stable and adequate funding for SBHCs, including Medicaid PROBLEM: Communities face challenges in addressing troubling health trends in violence, obesity, alcohol & tobacco use early pregnancies and STDs.

Don’t forget to…. Set manageable expectations Involve others in setting your goals Celebrate the smallest successes Integrate your vision and goals into all of your conversations Have fun!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. --- Margaret Mead Visit for more resourceswww.nasbhc.og