From Citizen to Advocate: Learn How to Speak the Language of Policy Makers to Support Child Health Issues.
ABSTRACT SUMMARY
In an era of ever changing health policy, one group has no voice, yet is often the target of funding cuts: children. This session will provide the essential skills for advocating for children, and changing policy to improve child health outcomes. Learn to tell the story of your community’s most vulnerable to elected officials, media and service professionals, and urge them to create policies that help all children grow into healthy, successful adults.
ABSTRACT DESCRIPTION
In an era of ever changing health policy, one group has no voice, yet is often the target of funding cuts: children. This session will provide the essential skills for advocating for children, and changing policy to improve child health outcomes. Lead by a Nebraska State Senator, and a child advocate, the presenters will provide participants with step-by-step processes for supporting a child health issue all the way through to policy change.
Understanding that not all members of School Based Health Alliance are seasoned lobbyists, nor would they characterize themselves as activists, each member has the ability to drive change in their respective communities. By arming participants with the basic skills of defining the issue or need, identifying key champions, and creating a tool-box of methods for getting ideas in front of policy makers, this presentation hopes to empower SBHA membership to move the child health agenda forward. Participants will walk away with:
• An understanding of process, and “all the players”
• Confidence in their ability to approach elected officials, and make the case for children
• Knowledge required for building coalitions for change
• New skills, tools, and resources that can be put into action immediately
• Pointers for planning and testifying during a public hearing
• Suggestions for keeping issues alive when faced with competing interests, and
• Understanding the skill of compromise
PRESENTER(S)
NAME: Jeanee Weiss BS, MS ORGANIZATION: Building Healthy Futures NAME: Sarah Ann Kotchian BA, JD ORGANIZATION: Holland Children's Movement
AUDIENCE
ADMINISTRATORS: Y
PRIMARY HEALTH: Y
MENTALHEALTH: Y
ORGANIZATIONAL: Y
PUBLIC HEALTH: Y
EDUCATION: N
YOUTH: Y
Technical
issues should be directed to Deirdre Taylor via email: dtaylor@sbh4all.org
or Telephone: (202) 638-5872, ext. 204
