National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion How To Plan A Successful National Drug Court Month

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion National Drug Court Month Resource Center Largest annual celebration of Drug Courts in nation Hundreds of media stories Thousands of graduates Massive impact on local, state and national support for Drug Courts

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion Presenters Tonya Voelker - Associate Director of Legislative Affairs, NADCP Connie Payne - Administrative Office of the Courts, KY Tina Messer - Regional Specialist, Statewide Services Division of Drug Court, KY Jennifer Grandal - Senior Court Operations Consultant Office of the State Courts Administrator, FL Michelle Jones - Adult Drug Court Coordinator, Osceola County Adult Drug Court, FL

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion Engaging Your Members of Congress District Work Weeks: May 1-4 & May Perfect opportunity to meet with your Members or invite them to a graduation/event Start early, it takes lots of contact to make it happen

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion Engaging Your Members of Congress Step 1 – Call your Members Washington, DC office Ask to speak with person responsible for Drug Court or Judicial Issues Tell them who you are and that you would like to invite your Member to speak at a special National Drug Court Month event You will be referred to scheduler

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion Engaging Your Members of Congress Step 2 – Follow up Within a week of your call, fax or your invitation (sample letter in Field Kit) A few days after sending your letter, make a follow up call to the Scheduler Acknowledge the amount of requests, thank them for their time. Mention other notable speakers attending, mention press will be there If Scheduler says that they cannot attend, ask if there is another available date for future invite If the Scheduler confirms they can attend, go over key logistics

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion Engaging Your Members of Congress Step 3 – Reconfirm the visit A few days before event, contact Scheduler to confirm date and time. Step 4- Day of Event Expect staff to accompany Member Consider appointing a greeter/escort Provide material on your court and the NADCP Capitol Hill Brief Ensure Media is aware the Member is present

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion Engaging Your Members of Congress Step 5 – Thank your Member for attending! Following the event send a personalized thank-you note to your Member. Include pictures of the event. It is critical that they understand how much you appreciate their visit. Now you have a relationship! Continue to keep them updated on your court and all of the great work you do.

National Drug Court Month – May 2012 Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion We are here for you! Connie Payne Administrative Office of the Courts, KY x2256 Tonya Voelker Associate Director of Legislative Affairs, NADCP Tina Messer Regional Specialist, Statewide Services Division of Drug Court, KY T. Michelle Jones Adult Drug Court Coordinator, FL Jennifer Grandal Office of the State Courts Administrator, FL Chris Deutsch Director of Communications, NADCP