Narrative

Exit 10: Advocacy: What is advocacy? Why is it important in the Road Map?

ad•vo•ca•cy n. 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, Fourth Edition

Advocacy in this most basic level is learned at an early age and practiced everyday in work and life. During a road trip, you may have had many opportunities to advocate for yourself: ‘Really, officer, the light was not red. It might have been yellow, but definitely not red. If you give me a chance just this once, I will make sure that I pay closer attention to the signal lights. Sir.’ You already have these skills, and now it is time to put them to a specific purpose. In the political arena, advocacy requires a plan with a concrete goal that is created by a group of people.

The materials found at this exit will help you advance and support the SBHC model, especially in the area of sustainability. The model of care offered in a SBHC is one that is challenged to support itself financially. SBHCs need to develop their advocacy skills to keep their doors open and to build political and public will to support the model long term.

Once you have reviewed and utilized the Road Map resources to jump start your advocacy plan, you can find additional support for your advocacy efforts. There are resources at the state level so that local advocates do not need to ‘reinvent the wheel’. After you have completed the initial stages in developing your advocacy plan during your road trip here, please visit www.nasbhc.org to access more detailed tools to help implement your chosen activities.