1. BEST PRACTICES FOR ACHIEVEING ADVOCACY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

2. BEST PRACTICES - SHAWNEE CHRISTIAN HEALTHCARE CENTER, INC.
Small, relatively young FQHC
Shawnee neighborhood, west end of Louisville
30 Employees (medical, dental, behavioral health, school based health)
Easier to manage
Easier to communicate
Cons
Everyone very busy
Overall impact smaller

3. BEST PRACTICES – NACHC TOOLS
May look a little daunting 
NACHC ACE Checklist
Already complete
Low hanging fruit – Bronze level:
Designate a staff person as coordinator
Advocacy at Staff and Board meetings
Take Advocate Sign Up Sheets to meetings
100% on first try
Use Board Resolution Template
Host at least one NHCW event – National Health Center Week

4. BEST PRACTICES – SOCIAL MEDIA
Love/hate relationship with Social Media?
Advocacy Committee Spot
Facebook
Easy to set up
Quick
Message can get buried
Twitter
Quick Reach
Direct/Specific

5. BEST PRACTICES – ELECTED OFFICIALS
Utilize current contact
Ask NACHC for assistance
Federal & State legislators, governor, mayor, councilperson, county judge executive
National Health Center Week events, other organization events, community discussions, facility tours, schedule a meeting
Check with co-workers for potential event/meeting invitations
Ask early
Keep it simple

6. BEST PRACTICES – NACHC TOOLS
Low Hanging Fruit – Silver Level
Everyone registered at Bronze Level
Host two elected officials - If in same 12-month period can use same one from Bronze Level
Staff and Board advocacy training
Combine with staff and board meetings when you sign people up
Can use same training for both
Explain advocacy, NACHC, why it’s important (funding cliff, ACA, Medicaid Waiver, etc.), what is expected (minimal amount of time), what will be coming in weeks ahead
Active involvement in State Advocacy
Probably you but maybe not
Talk to Whitney 
Kentucky Voices for Health

7. BEST PRACTICES – NACHC TOOLS
10% Minimum Response Rate
Difficult
Hard to impress upon people the seriousness and importance
$10 gift cards did not work
Work with NACHC
Report
Develop Action Plan

8. BEST PRACTICES – NACHC TOOLS
Low Hanging Fruit – Gold Level
100% registered (did that in Bronze level)
20% response rate – reports and work with NACHC
Host 3 elected officials – does not have to be 3 separate events
Advocacy Leadership Program – best for advocacy coordinator
Attendee at NACHC Policy & Issues Forum – CEO or board member

9. BEST PRACTICES – NACHC TOOLS
Use NACHC templates whenever possible:
Health Center Advocacy Plan
Dates can be fluid
Social Media Policy
Board Resolution
Bylaws for Health Center Advocacy Committee and Lobbying Limitations
Identify an Advocacy Champion
Someone who can help move the work forward
Keep an eye out for engaged staff and board members
Will make good committee members

10. BEST PRACTICES - LAST BUT NOT LEAST!
ASK FOR HELP!
NACHC or
Whitney Allen, MPH
Coordinator of Community Development and Outreach
Kentucky Primary Care Association
226 West Main St.
Frankfort, KY 40601
Cell: or
Anne Peak, MSW, CSW
Director of Patient and Community Engagement
Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center, Inc.
234 Amy Avenue
Louisville, KY
Cell: or