Advocacy Susan Chauncey Horky, LCSW University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Center

TodayToday Topics Topics Advocacy in generalAdvocacy in general UF Peds Residency Advocacy RotationUF Peds Residency Advocacy Rotation Take home messages Take home messages Anyone can advocate, in large or small waysAnyone can advocate, in large or small ways Many kinds of advocacy depend largely on relationshipsMany kinds of advocacy depend largely on relationships People often start out not knowing what to doPeople often start out not knowing what to do

Dr. Finch is a mid-career physician who is passionately concerned about teen smoking. He talks seriously with each of his patients about smoking, but would like to approach the problem on a broader scale. What advocacy options might he pursue? Dr. Finch is a mid-career physician who is passionately concerned about teen smoking. He talks seriously with each of his patients about smoking, but would like to approach the problem on a broader scale. What advocacy options might he pursue?

MediaMedia GrassrootsGrassroots LegislativeLegislative Main Areas of Advocacy

Grassroots Advocacy Individual advocacy Individual advocacy Education Education Coalition Building Coalition Building

Coalition Building How do I get started?

How to Get Started: Find Like-Minded People

Don’t include irrelevant groups Don’t include irrelevant groups Look beyond obvious allies Look beyond obvious allies Be clear about goals & roles Be clear about goals & roles Don’t forget money/staffing Don’t forget money/staffing Coalition Building

Advantages?Advantages? Pitfalls?Pitfalls?

Forms of Media Op ed piece On line info Article Letters to editor (<300 words) Radio talk show TV (focus on visuals) Sustain Sustain coverage in various ways

Media: Relationship Building

Media Strategies and Tips Call and say you liked a story they did Call and say you liked a story they did Call and give a local angle on a national story Call and give a local angle on a national story Know who to contact Know who to contact In your organizationIn your organization In the mediaIn the media Know strengths and weaknesses of different media forms Know strengths and weaknesses of different media forms Don’t try to educate, just give one piece of info Don’t try to educate, just give one piece of info Use symbols Use symbols

Do you have a story? Is government involved? Is there widespread public interest? Are there broad societal trends? Is a lot of cost involved? Are well known people involved? Does your info run counter to widely held beliefs?

Identifygoals Developstrategy Get tp knowlegisla-tors Broadensupport GetFacts Nancy Amidei’s Nancy Amidei’s five starting steps

Building Relationships with Legislators When calling legislator’s office: First call: Ask for info about what committees they’re on Second call: Ask which aide you should call about your topic Third call: Talk to aide Keep legislators informed Thank legislators, in word and deed

Learning about Current Legislation The Federal Register: Professional Organization (NASW, AAP,APA, AMA) On-Line Sunshine Your legislator's home page League of Women Voters “Thomas” Home pages

Talking to Legislators: 90 second speech Give your name and say that you vote Show that you represent a large number of people Give them something in writing Say why you’re there; be brief and direct: (Issue, data, scope) Say you want them to VOTE for the bill

“Training Pediatricians to Become Child Advocates” 1.Develop credibility in the community 2.Become involved in efforts to pass legislation 3.Work proactively as a recognized expert in child health policy (AAP, Pediatrics, 102(3), September 1998)

Residency Advocacy Curriculum Teaching And Community Pediatrics Teaching And Community Pediatrics Policy Advocacy Policy Advocacy Individual Case Advocacy Individual Case Advocacy

Individual Case Advocacy Identify a pediatric health issue Identify a pediatric health issue Perform EBM literature search to get data that supports your views Perform EBM literature search to get data that supports your views Create “Needs Survey” for family you see that addresses this issue Create “Needs Survey” for family you see that addresses this issue Locate resources to help family Locate resources to help family Write advocacy letter to support family Write advocacy letter to support family

Policy Advocacy Identify elected officials Identify bill related to health issue of your choice See how elected officials voted Identify current pediatric health issues Write letter of support to elected official Write editorial Work with Dr. Bucciarelli

Teaching and Community Peds Conduct educational activities with students Conduct educational activities with students ElementaryElementary MiddleMiddle HighHigh Interview school nurse Interview school nurse Westwood Middle School Teen Zone: after school program with activities focused on nutrition, activity, wellness Westwood Middle School Teen Zone: after school program with activities focused on nutrition, activity, wellness ACORN equal access clinic ACORN equal access clinic

Take-home Messages Anyone can advocate, in large or small ways Anyone can advocate, in large or small ways Coalition building, media relations and legislative advocacy depend largely on relationships Coalition building, media relations and legislative advocacy depend largely on relationships People often start not knowing what to do People often start not knowing what to do