Take Action Now!

Public Health Advocacy Strategies

Public Health Student Caucus

Session 5069.1

Wednesday, November 13, 2002

Session Overview

Introductions Definitions Strategies and options Group think

What is Policy?

A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters: American foreign policy; the company's personnel policy.

Public Policy

Passed by elected officials or by the citizenry Applicable to entire populations Traditional levels

Federal, state and local (city council, county commissioners)

Non-traditional levels School board, regional housing and transportation

councils, park and recreation boards

I’m Just a Bill!

Organizational Policy

Passed by selected groups or leaders within organizations

Applicable to certain segments of the population Traditional types

Non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, universities, other large institutions

Non-traditional types Faith-based organizations, unions, families, residence

halls

No Smoking Within 30 Feet.

University ATOD* task force investigates and suggests policy change

Proposal is circulated to faculty, staff and students for comment

Final statement submitted to Board of Regents for review

Policy passes and is enforced by university community

*Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs

What is Advocacy?

The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.

Why be an Advocate?

To change your world. To change your state, your city, your

community, your school, your classroom, your family.

To make it easier for people to be healthy.

Who’s an Advocate?

Everyone can be. Usual suspects

Formal and informal community leaders, non-profit advocacy organizations, lobbyists, policymakers, business community

Unusual suspects Students, parents, low-income families,

targeted individuals

9 Steps to Better Advocacy

From: “Now Hear This: The Nine Laws of Successful Advocacy Communications” from Fenton Communications www.fenton.com

Three criteria Clear goals, measurable progress Audience identification and segmentation Clear, simple, concise messages

The Rest of the Steps

Ensuring these three steps are part of the entire campaign Planning, planning, planning Specify what people should do Make the case: action needed now! Match strategy and tactics to your target audience Budget for success Bring in the experts (firepower!)

Top Ten Advocacy OptionsWhen You Want to Do It Yourself

Indirect Methods Letter to the editor Guest opinions Press releases PSAs Petitions

Direct Methods Letters Calls Protests Visits Testifying

10. Letter to the Editor

Definition Short letter to the local

paper regarding a current issue covered by the press or up for debate

Submitted by you as a private citizen or by you as a member of an organization/group

Steps Pick a simple message Find data to support

your statements Use your affiliation to

your advantage Submit quickly to

capture the audience Keep the letter short and

smart

9. Guest Opinion

Definition Longer column

submitted to the local paper in response to a request or need for further information

Again, submitted by you as a private citizen (possibly), but more likely by you (and others) as experts

Steps Three to five major

points about an issue Use background

research (quantitative and qualitative) to fill in the blanks

Again, submit quickly to capture policymaker interest

Use your affiliation

8. Press Release

Definition Statement about an

issue or a current policy released by an organization for or against that policy

Submitted by an organization (a student group, a non-profit, a business) and issued to the press (print, TV, radio)

Steps Keep it concise—limit

yourself to 3-4 major points about the issue

Use more qualitative (quotes) than quantitative (numbers) data

Provide visuals for numbers

Timely submission

7. PSAs

Definition Usually free

announcement carried by local media in support of an issue or to address a problem

Generally a unified effort by several concerned groups and supportive press

Less policy-focused, more general health

Steps One major point (usually

positive) about an issue Use local (or national)

personality to share message

Not necessarily needed in a speedy fashion

Include local supporters and local contact information

6. Petitions

Definition Pro or con policy

statement supported by a large number of constituents

Sometimes used to get issues to the ballot

Can be submitted by private citizens or on behalf of an organization or business

Steps One to two major points

about an issue Keep background

information concise Timely submission will

help influence policymakers

Depending on size of area/company, 300-500 signatures for impact

5. Letter to Policymaker

Definition One-two page letter

addressed directly to a policymaker

Submitted by you as a private citizen or by you as an informed expert (or as both)

Supports or opposes a specific policy option (e.g., bill, ordinance)

Steps Three to five major

points about an issue Use quantitative and

qualitative data Timely submission

(before vote) is critical Use your affiliation if you

so choose Ask for explicit support

or opposition

4. Call to Policymaker

Definition Telephone call directly to

the office of the policymaker you wish to influence

As a constituent, you’ll get immediate attention-your message will be delivered directly

As an organizational expert, you may be sidelined

Steps One, at most two points

about an issue Use qualitative stories

for support (especially ones close to home)

Call immediately to express and ask for support or opposition

Remind if you voted for this policymaker

3. Protests

Definition Physical demonstration

in opposition of a policy option (rarely rallies in support as well)

Coalition of private citizens, experts, organizational staff gathering to sit-in, march, demonstrate, visit those in power

Steps Two to three major

points about an issue Qualitative stories are

the best support in a demonstration, along with those affected

Oriented toward broad issues with cross-session appeal

Use your affiliation

2. Visit to Policymaker

Definition Face-to-face session

with a policymaker to address a specific policy issue or option

Private citizen constituents have first priority, followed by constituent organizations, then other groups/lobbyists

Steps Three to five major

points about an issue Use qualitative data first,

followed by quantitative information packet

Make sure meetings are timely, close to votes

Ask for express support or opposition

Use your affiliation if you so choose

1. Testifying

Definition Presenting data and/or

other information to a committee or set of policymakers

May be advising several policy options or one specific idea

You act as an expert or an affected citizen

Steps Five to seven major

points about an issue Both qualitative and

quantitative research is useful

You may be invited to speak or you may offer to join a coalition of people willing to testifying

Use your affiliation

Stand Up and Stretch!

Let’s take a little break! Stand up and move around.

“Letter off” into groups A, B and C Locate yourself near the others in your

team

Group Groove

Each team will be responsible for developing an advocacy plan to tackle a particular policy issue Consider what your message should be. Come up with at least 4 specific advocacy

ideas How would you communicate these with

other students?

Team A

Your university’s graduate assistant health insurance does not cover mental health services. Your team is part of a coalition of student organizations trying to make sure all health care, especially mental health and preventive care, is covered. The Board of Regents will consider a health insurance policy change at its next meeting, in three weeks.

Team B

Your city council members are facing some hard financial decisions this year. They have proposed to cut all funding for domestic violence shelters in the city, hoping that someone else will support this cause. As students interested in violence prevention, you are outraged and want to make a statement before next month’s city council meeting.

Team C

The United States Senate is considering a bill to increase funding for anti-bioterrorism efforts. You and several fellow students are concerned that this bill does not allow for support of the rest of the public health infrastructure in this country. Your Senator is supportive of the bill and does not understand why it may not be comprehensive enough. The vote is in 9 days.

Brainstorming

Take 10 minutes to discuss this among your group. Remember to address the following components: Consider what your message should be. Come up with at least 4 specific advocacy

ideas How would you communicate these with

other students?

Group Discussion

We’ll take 10-15 minutes to discuss each team’s advocacy proposal.

As you listen to other teams present, consider: What are some other advocacy options you

might suggest? What are some pitfalls the team may face

along the way?

Fly in the Ointment

Advocacy is never easy. Policies rarely pass without changes, most of them major and often in the opposite direction from what you’d like to see.

Your team is now responsible for coming up with two to three ways to deal with the troubles you run into….

Team A

Several members of the Board of Regents have agreed to meet with the members of your coalition one-on-one. These Board members have expressed that although they are in support of adding mental health services to the health insurance package, they are opposed to adding dental or eye care to this package. Your coalition feels that the health insurance for graduate assistants should be top quality. What are your options and next steps?

Team B

Tobacco control advocates have approached you and have suggested that if the city raises tobacco tax by $.50/pack, some of the funds could be used to support domestic violence shelters. You are concerned about the lack of consistency of these funds and about the possible regressivity of tobacco tax. What are your options and next steps?

Team C

Your Senator has agreed to try and add an amendment to the proposed bill that would increase funding for general public health infrastructure. However, she believes these funds should only go to local public health agencies and not to state agencies. What are your options and next steps?

Brainstorming

Take 10 minutes to discuss this among your group. Remember to come up with two to three ways to address the problem. Be sure to discuss: What your new message might be. How you would communicate this with other

students How you would move rapidly to respond

Group Discussion

We’ll take 10-15 minutes to discuss each team’s approach to their troubles.

As you listen to other teams present, consider: What are some other ways you might deal

with these challenges?

Now That You’re Energized!

Become an advocate! Pick an issue that’s important to you and think

about ways you can tackle that issue. Are you a part of a student (or any other) organization that might be willing to take on a new policy challenge?

Do you have friends and colleagues interested in making some real social change? Make sure to ask for their involvement as well.

Wrap Up!

This was a brief overview to advocacy!

Be sure to check out:

www.phsc.org

for more information on

action and advocacy.