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Afterschool Advocacy Actions
Topic / Ask / Resources21st CCLC / 21st Century RFP Release: We need you to tell your policymakers that the RFP needs to be released NOW in order to time the grant start date as much as possible with the start of the fiscal year.
21st Century Funding: President Trump’s proposed budget eliminates 21st Century. Make sure Congress knows 21st Century isn't an acceptable cut! / RFP Action Alert
Sample RFP Letter to Send ISBE
21st Century Funding Action Alert
21st Century Funding Letter Template English/Spanish (You can ask parents and youth to fill this out.)
Funding Fact Seet
Teen REACH / Teen REACH Funding: Tell your legislators and the Governor that any budget agreement needs to include funding for Teen REACH.
Thriving Youth Fund (SB2046/HB3217): This bill establishes the thriving youth income tax check box that allows taxpayers to fund non-Medicaid eligible community-based youth programs, including Teen REACH. / Teen REACH Fact Sheet
Teen REACH Action Alert
Thriving Youth Fund Fact Sheet
Lottery After-School Rescue Bill / The Lottery After-School Rescue bill,HB0273, creates an “After-School Rescue” scratch-off game where the net revenue goes to the making of grants to at-risk schools for the promotion of extracurricular and after-school programs.
Social Services Contract Notice Act / The Social Services Contract Notice Act,HB3110, was written in response to the Good Friday social services cut that took place in April 2015. The bill would require the state of Illinois to provide the General Assembly and social service providers advance notice prior to reducing, eliminating, or suspending services. / Fact Sheet
The Child Care Development Fund / The Child Care Development Fund provides vouchers or subsidies for low-income parents to pay for child care, including preschool, before and after school, and summer care for children up to age 12. Tell Congress that they need to maintain funding for this program. / Fact Sheet
Funding for Afterschool/Raise Awareness ofthe Value of Afterschool / Many legislators don’t know the importance of afterschool programing. Building connections and relationships with legislators can go a long way in helping to create favorable afterschool policies and funding streams. / Action Alert
Advocacy is sharing your point of view and ideas with legislators to gain support for your work. It is also a great way to engage policymakers in discussions about issues you face in your communities.
As a constituent, you have the right to express your opinion to your elected official. By sharing information with them,
· You build relationships with policymakers
· You help them fulfill their promise to be informed
· You help them make decisions that are in the best interest of their communities
· You are viewed as a credible source of information
· Your input is valued and sought
What Advocacy Actions Should You Take?
· If you have 1 minute: Send in an action alert for one of the items above.
· If you have 5 minutes: Find your legislator’s contact info (see below) and call and ask them to support your action.
· If you have 10 minutes: Write a letter to your legislator using the fact sheets and templates above.
· If you have more time, schedule an in-district meeting or site visit with your legislator or collect success stories from parents and youth in your program.
Identifying your legislator
· Visit the Illinois State Board of Elections District/Official Search page to find your elected officials
Learn about your state legislator
· Visit the Illinois General Assembly’s website to find out information about your state elected officials. You can also find additional information by searching for a legislator’s website online.
· The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate sites will also provide links directly to your federal legislators’ website.
When communicating with your elected official, remember the following[1]:
· Be positive and nonpartisan. Legislators do not respond well to threatening or argumentative advocacy. If it is clear that the policymaker will not support your position, just give the facts and ask him or her to consider your viewpoint. This will keep the lines of communication open for discussing future issues.
· Be personal. Sharing your personal experiences and concerns during a visit or in a letter/email will make your message more compelling.
· Be persistent and patient. Building a relationship with your legislator and his/her staff takes time.
· Stay on message. Focus your visit, letter, or email on one topic. Use separate communications for different topics. During a visit, work to return to your topic if the legislator changes the subject.
· Never give inaccurate information. It is far better to tell a legislator, “I don’t know, but I will find out and get back to you.” Your credibility (and the legislator’s if he/she uses your information) is at stake. Be sure to follow up with the complete information.
· Relax. Advocacy does not have to be complex or intimidating. It is simply you exercising your right as a citizen and having a conversation to express your views to the person elected to represent you. You do not need to be an expert. Just share your concerns and values, knowing what your views are as a voter is important to your legislator.
Personal letters/email to elected officials
The time-tested method of sending a written communication to your legislator remains one of the most effective ways to deliver your message to senators and representatives. What’s new, however, is that you can now deliver the message through various channels including fax or email.
Well-written letters from constituents are:
· Targeted. You should address letters to the appropriate legislators in the district where you live and where your organization is located.
· Brief. In no more than two pages, one if possible, they explain the issue and the proposal’s impact.
· Not form letters. A form letter that is modified to deliver a unique message is more likely to influence legislators.
· Avoid personal criticism.
· Express appreciation for past or future support.
· Ask for a response. It is appropriate to ask your elected official to send you a letter stating his/her position on the issue
A letter/email to your State Senator or Representative should include the following items:
Opening Paragraph:
· State the subject of your letter
· Use the bill number or name, if available
· Identify yourself and your organization
Example: “I am the resource coordinator/director of (organization’s name) which annually serves ______students and their families” or “I provide _____ programs at (organization’s name) that ______.”
Body of Letter:
· Explain the issue simply and factually at a level the senator or representative will understand. They are not experts!
· Give a local, personal example of the impact of the issue to make the legislator care.
· State your position on the bill or policy where appropriate.
· Be polite. There is always another issue to fight another day.
· Thank the senator or representative for their attention to the issue.
· Let the senator or representative know you are a resource for more information.
· Ask for a reply.
Telephone calls to elected officials
You can call your legislator either at their district office or, during the legislative session, at their Capital office. You can reach the Springfield office switchboard at 217-782-2000. You will most likely speak to a legislative aide rather than the legislator, but rest assured that officials take your input seriously. (Note: If you call either state or federal legislators between April 10, 2017 and April 21, 2017, you should call their district office.)
To make the most of a telephone call, constituents should:
· Prepare for the call. Develop a concise list of talking points you want to share with the legislator during the call.
· Introduce yourself. Give your name and identify yourself as a constituent. Provide your address and telephone number if the legislative aide requests it. If you are calling about a specific piece of legislation, identify it by name and bill number.
· Show appreciation. If your legislator has supported your cause in the past, let them know that you appreciated it.
· Focus on a single issue and state your position. Briefly explain your position and what you would like your legislator to do.
· Thank the legislator. Remember always to be courteous and respectful. If speaking to a legislative aide, jot down their name.
· Follow-up. If the aide requests additional information, take care to provide it as quickly as possible. Keep track of your legislator’s actions and follow up with a letter expressing thanks or disappointment. You can check the status of a bill at www.ilga.gov.
Sample telephone call
Staff Member: Thank you for calling Representative/Senator (Name)’s office. How may I help you?
Caller: Hello, my name is (your name) from (City), and I am calling on behalf of (your organization).
Staff Member: Wonderful, what can I do for you?
Caller: As a constituent of Representative/Senator (Names)’s district, (Insert information on why you support the action you are calling about. Include why this subject is of concern to the constituents.) Remember, be brief!
Staff Member: Thank you for sharing your concerns with us. I will relay your comments.
Caller: I appreciate you sharing my thoughts. Have a great day.
Face-to-face meetings are the most effective method of communicating with senators, representatives, and their staff. You can schedule a meeting in a district office or in Springfield.
Before your meeting
· Make an appointment. Call the legislator’s office and ask to make an appointment.
· Get informed. Look through the materials above for actions items you want to discuss.
· Prepare your impact story. Take time crafting how you will inform your legislator about your work and the youth you serve. Tell how your program has changed outcomes for a student or his/her family. Incorporate the impact/outcomes from your program. Gather self-assessments/internal indicators that show that your program is successful.
· Research your legislator. Learn their position on afterschool.
During your visit
· Arrive early. If you are running late, call and let them know. Plan to be 15 minutes early.
· Introduce self. State your name, organization and your role. Identify yourself as a constituent and point out any connection you may share with your legislator, such as a common school.
· Thank your legislator. Thank them for their time. If your legislator has supported your cause in the past, show your appreciation.
· State the purpose of your visit. Be concise and be clear about what you want your legislator to do.
· Deliver the ask. As the legislator to support your program or issue area. Try to get a specific commitment.
· Listen, respond, and don’t argue. You are the expert on your program. Allow the legislator to ask questions, ask if they have any questions for you. If you cannot answer a question, it is okay to follow-up.
· Thank the legislator for their time. Remember always to be courteous and respectful. Get business cards for the legislator’s staff. Invite the legislator to your site.
· Leave materials. Leave fact sheets for your legislator and their staff as well as your contact information.
After your visit
· Report your experiences. Share the results of your meeting with ACT Now.
· Follow-up. If the legislator requests additional information, take care to provide it as quickly as possible.
· Send a thank you letter.
· Arrange a site visit.
Sample thank you letter
State Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
Senate of Illinois
Address
Dear Senator (full name):
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me (include date) to talk about the importance of afterschool programs in Illinois and in your district (include district number/area). As we discussed, and as I have witnessed firsthand, these programs help improve academic outcomes, keep youth safe and healthy, and support workforce development.
I look forward to speaking with you again to discuss further the ways in which we can work together to ensure that young Illinoisans within our community and across our state have the tools they need to successfully transition into educated, self-sufficient accomplished adults.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Your contact information)
Inviting policymakers to visit your afterschool program is a powerful way to help them understand the value your program brings to the community. These steps will help you prepare for your site visit, but you should structure your site visit to fit the needs of your program.
Step 1: Identify and contact your legislator and other attendees.
Step 2: Identify a few dates when you could host a tour of your program. Using the date that is most optimal for you, write an invitation letter. This will be helpful to have on hand when you call the district office.
Step 3: Call the legislator’s district office. Tell the person who answers that you would like to schedule a tour of your program for the policymaker. You may be connected with a legislative aide or a scheduler.
Be flexible. If a policymaker is not available, see if a staff person can make the visit instead. If you are successful with the policymaker, keep in mind that elected officials’ schedules can change without notice. Several days before the visit, call to confirm the event and be prepared to reschedule.
Email and mail your personalized invitation letter. Be sure to send along a program profile, brochure or some background materials about your program.
Step 4: Before the visit. Identify youth, parents, program staff, school officials, and community partners who would be convincing spokespeople for your program.
Step 5: The visit. On the day of the visit, be sure that someone waits outside the building to greet and direct the visitors to the right location. Be sure to have program brochures or copies of a program profile on hand. You may want to make copies of any articles, youth essays, parent letters, awards or other documents that demonstrate the community’s support for your program.
Step 6: Send a thank you letter after the visit.
Find additional insight into how to plan a site visit here.
Social media is a powerful tool that is changing the way people absorb information, mobilize for advocacy, and raise awareness about issue campaigns. If you or your organization is not already on social media, the first step is to sign up for a free account. The steps to set up an account are basic, but both Twitter and Facebook have “help” pages that will guide you through the process and give you a better understanding of how the platform works.