1. Advocacy 101 and Coalition Building
Beyond housing 2018
Thursday, january 11, 2018
2:45-4:15PM EDT

2. Why Advocate? You are the voice for our children and families
You are the expert
Constituent engagement is the best way – and often only way – to change policy
Federal policy on family homelessness is in serious need of reform
barbara

3. “Citizen-Centric Advocacy:” Congressional Management Foundation Report
Large body of quantitative and qualitative data on citizen engagement with Congress
Study derived from nine surveys of congressional staff and four surveys of citizen advocates
Respondents were generally balanced between Democrats and Republicans.
Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

4. “Citizen-Centric Advocacy:” Findings
1. Direct constituent interactions have more influence on lawmakers’ decisions than other advocacy strategies.
2. Congress places a high value on groups and citizens who have built relationships with the legislator and staff.
3. Citizen advocates are more influential and contribute to better public policy when they provide personalized and local information to Congress.
4. Citizens have significant potential to enhance their advocacy skills and influence Congress.
Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

5. Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

6. Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

7. Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

8. Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

9. Congressfoundation.org – © The Congressional Management Foundation

10. Advocacy vs. Lobbying
Advocacy: any activity to influence policy. Includes educating, providing information, arguing a cause.
Lobbying: activities that ask legislators to take a specific position on a specific piece of legislation, or urge others to do the same (IRS definition for non-profits)
ruthie

11. Where Do I Begin? It’s all about relationships!
Know who represents your community or communities and school district: and
Make it part of your work plan to develop an ongoing relationship with Members and/or staff
Open and frequent communication; listening; trust; respect

12. It’s “Who You Know:” Getting Connected
Other people can help pave the way to a relationship:
State legislators -Spouses
Mayors -Comm. Partners & Civic Groups
City Council Members -Business leaders
Ask for their help with getting a meeting, urging the member to take a specific position, or making the issue a priority

13. Common Methods of Advocacy
Meetings
Group/Individual
Town hall
Letters
Individual
Group
Calls
ruthie

14. Advance Preparation for Connecting
Research the Member
Consider political perspectives
Family homelessness is a bipartisan issue
Gather relevant data and stories
Send info in advance

15. When to Meet
Now! Before a crisis, bill, or vote; background education is essential for relationship-building
At the beginning of a new Congressional season - new staff, new priorities
As specific legislation develops, it is important weigh in to help shape it
After a bill is introduced, we need co-sponsors

16. Meetings: General Tips
Face-to-Face meetings are ideal for beginning a relationship
Variety of possible locations: office, program site
Legislators don’t do details, but if they commit to an issue, it is GOLD
Staff are critical; they have tremendous influence. Good relations with staff are essential.

17. Meetings: General Tips, continued
Don’t be intimidated - you are the expert! They work for you.
If you don’t know an answer, tell them you’ll get back to them; don’t be thrown by jargon
Present broad statements, supported by specifics (“accomplishments and challenges”)
Research the Member’s priorities - frame the issue accordingly

18. Meeting: Wrapping Up (1)
Provide only a few concise written materials (bullets and white space!)
Conclude with your “ask:” prioritize your requests and state the specific commitments you are seeking (it doesn’t have to be a bill number; i.e. “We’d like to ask for your support of adequate funding for homeless education; changing HUD’s definition of homelessness;…)
Refer them to us for policy specifics

19. Meeting: Wrapping Up (2)
Follow up with a thank you letter that summarizes the meeting and the commitment you are seeking
Offer yourself as a resource to them
Keep in touch - find ways to maintain the relationship separate from the “ask” (i.e. newsletter, news stories, invitations, accomplishments)

20. Letters
Letters are an important advocacy method as legislation develops, or to gain co-sponsors once a bill is introduced
Always personalize and localize letters, make them unique
Fax is better than snail mail
Be specific, and request the favor of a response
Numbers matter! Circulate widely and “gently” remind others to follow through
Get letters from diverse community groups (businesses, others beyond the “usual” suspects)

21. Phone Calls
Before key votes or decisions, phone calls can make a difference
State that you are a constituent
State specific request: “Vote yes on the Portman- Feinstein amendment to reform HUD Homeless Assistance!”
Urge others to make calls

22. Don’t Forget to Say “Thank You”
If a member takes an action to support the issue - whether a vote, a letter, or a bill sponsorship – don’t forget to say thank you
Let them know the specific benefits of their actions
Give awards and recognition where appropriate

23. Coalition Building There’s Strength in Numbers
Ask other groups to take up the issue - get it on their agenda:
Children’s advocacy groups -Junior League
Education advocacy groups -Businesses
Faith-based groups -PTA
Local/state homeless coalitions
Gather addresses of friends, colleagues to distribute materials

24. Coalition Building
Coalitions allow you to be represented among a group of like-minded organizations seeking a similar goal. They are a tool to assert leadership and increase your voice in an increasingly crowded and loud marketplace of ideas.
Coalitions allow you to be one of the crowd or lead the crowd.
Both approaches increase your impact on decisions than a lone voice in the crowd.

25. Coalition Building Understand your goal(s).
Be a part of a coalition that serves your needs and represents your interests.
Understand your role.
Push your coalition to do more.
Promote your coalition and make it bigger.

26. The National Coalition for Homelessness Solutions
We saw a need to raise a voice that was absent in the conversation.
No one was talking about joining together to impact HUD homelessness policy from a service provider perspective with a focus on families.
We found like-minded organizations.
We reached out and asked.
We articulated what we stood for.
We included others.
We stayed active.
We would love for you to join us.

27. Shine a Spotlight: Media Attention
Local press articles get legislators attention
Invite reporters to visit program (check with press offices, releases, etc.)
Forward good articles to your legislators
Invite legislators to participate in press events
Write op-eds that praise or ask for leadership
Write letters to the editor - look for “pegs”

28. HUD Homeless Assistance Reform: Homeless Children and Youth Act
Overall purpose: allow communities to more flexibly and effectively use federal funding to meet the unique needs of children, youth, and families
Bipartisan bills:
Senate bill S. 611 introduced by Senators Portman (R- OH) and Feinstein (D-CA)
House bill H.R introduced by Rep. Stivers (R-OH) and Rep. Loebsack (D-IA)

29. The Homeless Children and Youth Act: What Does it Do?
Amends HUD’s definition of homelessness to include children and youth verified as homeless by school liaisons, RHYA programs, Head Start, Health Care for the Homeless programs, etc.
Prohibits HUD from prioritizing one group, or one program model, over another; communities would be guided by local needs assessments and performance
Aligns HUD Homeless Assistance with child- and youth-serving systems

30. Homeless Children and Youth Act: What Does it NOT Do?
Does not contain expensive new studies or data collection
Does not take away funding and services from other, “less needy” homeless populations, or people who are chronically homeless
Does not “flood the system” and overwhelm existing resources

31. The Homeless Children and Youth Act: Advocacy Request
1. Urge your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to sign on as co-sponsors:
2. Add the name of your organization as an endorser:

32. Contact Us Cara Baldari, First Focus carab@firstfocus.org
Barbara Duffield, SchoolHouse Connection,
Paul Webster, Solutions for Change