1. Caregiving Advocacy in Maryland
Elizabeth Weglein
Governor's Chair
Maryland Caregiver’s Support Coordinating Council
October 24, 2012

2. Purpose of Council
To coordinate statewide planning, development, coordination and implementation of caregiver support services.
It is a official body of state government mandated by state statue. It is not a grassroots advocacy organization. Our legislative charge creates accountability to the public. It provides an official voice and allows a formal voice on caregiving. It most importantly provides direct access to our Governor.
The Council’s primary purpose is to coordinate service systems, make information available to the public and officials and raise caregiver needs to the level of the executive and legislative branch of state government.

3. Building Relationships
Build key targeted relationships:
Identify your key objectives
Identify your key relationships that will influence your issue
Plan to meet face to face
Identify who to contact
Build a cohesive message- National Alliance on Caregiving
Build a small group of strong committed advocates then recruit new members to continue the dialogue
Send mailings and s to maintain your message
Be thorough
Be timely

4. Key Relationships Key Relationships who influence Caregiving Issues
Decision Makers
State Administrators
Department s of Health, Human Resources and Disabilities
State Legislators
State Regulators
Department of Budget and Management
Governor's Office
Non-Profits
For-Profits

5. What is the Process?
After identifying your issues & priorities and identifying your relationships:
If you are contacting your state legislators, look for advocacy volunteers who live in their district. You will have a better response when they are talking to their own voters. It will create a deeper impact. Tracking software.
If you are contacting a state administrator or regulator, you need to know
what department properly effects and influences the caregiving issue.
If you are contacting your Governor’s office, ask for the Chief of Staff to schedule a meeting. Most times you will meet the key person who handles caregiving issues.

6. How to Secure Buy In
Need to keep your membership tied into the process
Expect:
Strong communication- face to face, updates, calls
Strong relationship building- take
Investment of time
Allow input from members
Treat your members as ‘ambassadors’ of your issues
Network with similar organizations

7. Questions? Contact: Elizabeth Weglein Direct 410.608.7966
Maryland’s Governor’s Chair, Maryland Caregivers Support Coordinating Council
CEO
Elizabeth Cooney Care Network
Direct