Advocacy a new way of communicating Presented by: Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery

Who are we? Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) Sarah Thompson, Executive Director 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization Our mission is to advocate for individuals in and seeking recovery, address barriers to recovery, educate the public, and eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with addiction.

Stigma and Discrimination What is your early message about stigma and how does stigma prevent wellness and recovery? How does stigma lead to discrimination? How can individuals, organizations, and communities unlearn stigma and promote wellness and recovery? Get into small groups First Round What is Stigma Second Round How does stigma prevent wellness and recovery Third Round How can individuals, organizations, and communities unlearn stigma and promote wellness and recovery This leads me into our first activity for the day. Words can wound What are some of the words you hear when describing someone with an addiction? What are some words that replace these negative words? Need Posit Boards Messaging Training language Key Messages What are some things that we can learn from this exercise? Stigmatizing labels create barriers and lead to prejudice and discrimination. Language can hurt emotionally and psychologically.

Story TElling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxDwieKpawg Andrew Stanton: The clues to a great story Producer of films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo (Start time at 1.22)

Story TELLING How can we begin thinking about our story as a catalyst for change?

Messaging Have effective, credible language that you can use to talk about your life and experiences Know how to use the message in different situations Make it possible for more people to get well

Your Frame of Mind Speak with one voice Make it personal; it adds credibility and breaks down misperceptions Talk about your recovery, not your addiction – your recovery story

Putting a Face & a Voice on Recovery: Message for a Person in Recovery 11/27/2018 Putting a Face & a Voice on Recovery: Message for a Person in Recovery I’m in long-term recovery which means... • Have not used alcohol or other drugs for x number years Long-term recovery has given me new hope and stability I’ve been able to create a better life for myself, my family and my community I’m speaking out so that others have the opportunity to achieve long-term recovery Technical note: Ask people to take out their Recovery Message memo. The trainer should have one on hand as well. Important to ask people to be open-minded again.

Putting a Face & a Voice on Recovery: Message for a Family Member I and my family are in long-term recovery, which means … (My son/daughter/husband/wife) hasn’t used alcohol or other drugs for x years We’ve become healthier together, enjoying family life in our home Long-term recovery has given me and my family new purpose and hope for the future I want to make it possible for others to do the same The recovery community is people in recovery, family members, friends and allies. That’s why there’s messaging here for family members. After reviewing the content of this slide, do exercise using flip chart. Ask the audience what words are associated with a person who is addicted to alcohol or other drugs. Write the words on the flip chart. When finished, ask what all these words have in common (they are all negative, they reinforce stigma, etc.). Technical note: Refer to the Recovery Messaging memo, where it’s included.

What’s Not in the Message and Why I’m an addict (or alcoholic) I’m a recovering addict (or alcoholic) Addiction is a disease Information about 12-step programs, for examples membership in AA or NA or Al- Anon A “definition” of recovery Technical note: Refer to the Recovery Messaging hand out for more explanation. Read one or two examples and the reason why it’s not in the message.

Advocacy 101 Definition: Advocacy is any attempt to influence public opinion and attitudes that directly affect people’s lives. Advocacy is a much broader range of activities which may or may not include lobbying. Lobbying usually attempts to influence legislation at the federal and state level Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

“Lobbying always involves advocacy but advocacy does not necessarily involve lobbying.” Can you name differences between the two? Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

Direct lobbying Intentional advocacy directed toward a legislator, staffer or other government employee who may participate in the formulation of the legislation if the principal purpose of the communication is to influence legislation. Two elements must be present: The communication must refer to specific legislation; and The communication must reflect a view on such legislation Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

Grassroots lobbying Refers to the many types of indirect attempts to communicate with and influence legislators, such as communication aimed at legislators’ constituents. Three elements must be present: The communication must refer to specific legislation; The communication reflects a view on such legislation; and The communication encourages the recipient of the communication to take action. Educate the public about the value of what you do Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

Ways to provide advocacy Sustained Dialogue Sponsor a candidate night Site visit to agency Help form and join advocacy groups Personal visit to legislator’s office Invite legislators and local policy makers to your agency Legible handwritten letter – mail or fax Sponsor events (Alcohol Awareness Month, National Recovery Month) and publicize! Typed personal letter – mail or fax Phone call Email Send legislators latest research findings Form letter 301-403-8329 www.cesar.umd.edu (CESAR Fax) Mass postcards Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

How to identify key stakeholders Activity

Question? When facing an issue, are all parties at the table? Who is not at the table and what would they say if they were here?

Strategy development Planning is the key to success What resources do you have? What are your goals? What are your targets? Who are your likely allies and partners? Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

Tips to relationship development 1. What can you offer to your elected official? 2. When meeting with a legislative aide, you ARE meeting with your elected official. 3. Invite them to your recovery house! 4. Provide positive feedback WHEN YOU CAN! 5. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS thank them for their time, and send a follow up thank you note!

Next steps Want to know more about effective advocacy? Start building your coalition TODAY! Become a member of OCAAR – We need your voice! Attend the 2018 Rally for Recovery at Huntington Park Attend our 3 part series on recovery advocacy Held monthly ONLINE

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead There are plenty of possible reasons why advocacy is important, do not underestimate the power of what those reasons are for yourself. Advocating is you stepping into your personal power, contributing member, community wellness. Instead of living in fear and isolation, this is a way to get past the shame. At the end of the day, being an advocate benefits society on a large scale other than just who you are advocating on behalf of. example: advocating for Apple to hire individuals in recovery benefits the community by giving people the opportunity to work, and Apple increases their outputs by hiring more people as well as increasing their public image by showing that they are a solution. You can use this for yourself or pass it along to someone who you think can be effective. Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, www.clpi.org CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

Sarah Thompson sthompson@oca-ohio.org 614-961-0565 Presented by: Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery and Confluency Consulting