1 Grassroots Advocacy in Action: A Powerful Tool January 13 th, 2015

2 Your Webinar Host: Anne Henry Vice-President of Government Affairs

3 The Why’s & How’s of Grassroots Advocacy

4 The Why’s

5 Government is an integral part of your community’s success Laws Rules and Regulations Licensing & Certifications for facilities and staff Health and Safety Surveys Reimbursement Other

6 Laws/Regulations Focus on “Fixing Negatives” ‘Worst Case Scenarios’ Swayed by Public Opinion Public is Uninformed and Reactionary LTC Needs Advocacy Need to Show OUR World!

7 The LeadingAge PA Difference DIFFERENCE #1: LeadingAge PA’s strength comes from Members DIFFERENCE #2: We lobby with a “Big Bag of Voters” (Grassroots) DIFFERENCE #3: We don’t lobby with a “Big Bag of Money” (PAC)

8 The How's of Advocacy

9 RELATIONSHIP IS KING! Relationships whether with regulators or legislators is NECESSARY for success!

10 Regulatory Advocacy

11 Who are the regulators? Individuals under the jurisdiction of the Governor Agency Secretary’s Deputy Secretary’s Bureau Director’s State Surveyors State staff answering help lines

12 Regulator’s have rules to follow: When making policy/regulations Ensuring compliance with policy/regulations

13 How Rules are Made Most rules are made as a reaction to something negative Rules can come in several forms Regulations Statements of Policy Bulletins Posting to web sites

14 The Regulatory Process Regulatory Process has rules Many touch points for input Respond to requests for public comments Attend Hearings of the Independent Regulatory Review Commission Weigh in with Legislators on Standing Committee of Jurisdiction Process is long – Minimum of 18 months

15 Statements of Policy, Bulletins and Other Web Postings Vetted through internal state processes Often few points for input until document is published Leading Age PA will work with regulators on these policy documents as necessary

16 LeadingAge PA Staff needs your help to shape policy… We need your expertise and stories to help make the point Consider participating in hearings, public meetings, webinars, etc. Contact us with your issues and concerns Develop relationships with regulators – they count!

17 If you are asking for modifications of the rules: Know the rule that you are asking to have modified Try to think as the regulator would – they have a job to do If you can, state your case so that it meets objects of the regulators Consider how to get to a win/win!

18 Legislative Advocacy

19 What YOU want that THEY have Ability to change public policy for the better. Ability to be heard. Have a champion for your causes, issues, and problems. What THEY want that YOU have Expertise on issues. Front-line facts. Real world knowledge. Venues for Outreach.

20 Relationship is King! Building the Relationship is Key! Many opportunities to build relationships - Invite elected officials to your community Call, Write or Visit legislative offices when you have important matters to discuss If you chose, participate in fund raisers Attend town hall meetings hosted by legislators Attend LeadingAge PA legislative events!

21 All Politics is Local Legislators Want to Hear… What the local statistics are for your community Real-life stories behind the numbers How state money is being spent in their District What specifically do you need to make your community better! Legislators don’t know what you know/think unless you tell them! Share your expertise!! Become a contact for them in all things regarding LTC!!!

22 5 Steps for a Successful Community Visit Step 1: Step 1: Create a casual environment—open up and drop your guard. Step 2: Step 2: Give a community tour. Provide number of residents/staff, Medicaid numbers, and uncompensated care figures. Consider allowing direct care line staff to participate too! Step 3: Step 3: Prepare a fact sheet. Step 4: Step 4: Provide real examples of issues/problems. Step 5: Step 5: Utilize photo opportunities for your newsletter or your legislator’s usage.

23 Call, Write or Visit - Some Key Points Have a Purpose to your call, letter or visit. Prepare your message/concern so that it can be delivered in a short, concise fashion – sometimes you only have a short time to share your thoughts! Make sure to personalize your message – make it your own!

24 OFFICE CONTACT LETTERS S PHONE CALLS THINGS TO REMEMBER: 1.ALL contacts are logged. All written materials are read by someone in the legislator’s office. 2.“Canned” contact letters are not as powerful as personal contact – many may be counted as 1. 3.No matter who you speak to - be as positive as possible even if delivering a difficult message. Calls/Letters – More Key Points

25 Legislative Office Visits – More Key Points Have the Right People There. Sometimes you need to take an expert! Be Ready with a Five Minute Message. Bring along a Short, Concise Summary to Leave Behind.

26 Visits with Legislative Staff …meeting with staff is as important as meeting with the legislator. They do the work behind the scenes. …staff can be the link between you and the legislator. …remember – legislators often change more frequently than key staff!

27 Final Thoughts

28 NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW YOU MEET, ALWAYS REMEMBER TO: Offer to Help; Be a Resource ALWAYS Thank Them for Their Time Send a hand written note after the meeting - It will be noticed!

29 Leading Age Staff are always there to help! Join The LeadingAge PA Advocacy Team! Experts can be hired… Real people, with real stories, cannot!

30 The LeadingAge PA Government Affairs Team Anne Henry, VP of Government Affairs (717) Ana Puig, Director of Legislative Affairs (717) Beth Greenberg, Director of Regulatory Affairs (717) Brandie Karpew, Data & Reimbursement Manager (717) Amanda Cyster, Executive Assistant to CEO/Gov’t Affairs (717)

31 Questions?