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Contents

Action items/asks …………………………… 3-4

Advocacy …………………………...... 4

Get to know your legislator …...... 4-5

Corresponding with your legislator .... 5-7

Meeting with your legislator ……………. 7-8

Letters to the editor …………………………. 9

Using social media ………………………….... 10-11

Gathering success stories …………………. 12

Maintain Funding for Teen REACH at $13.1 million

Teen REACH is a cost-effective out-of-school time prevention program with a track record of success. It provides safe environments for youth and a unique, comprehensive array of supports including: academic assistance, life-skills building, mentoring, and job preparation. It fosters future success in school, on the job, and as productive citizens.

The budget impasse has greatly affected Teen REACH programs.

  • Teen REACH providers across the state were forced to end programming during the budget impasse, leaving youth without a safe and enriching environment after school. Teen REACH programs did not receive contracts for FY16 and did not receive compensation for any services provided during that period.
  • The stopgap funding bill passed in July 2016 did contain funds for Teen REACH, but fewer agencies were funded than in FY15.
  • When funding is not secure, providers struggle because they face significant costs in winding down and starting up programs, such as laying off staff and securing and training new staff.

Teen REACH is a quality afterschool program that improves academic outcomes, provides support for Illinois’ workforce, and keeps youth and communities safe.

  • Education: When students participate in afterschool programs like Teen REACH, they attend school more often, do better in school, and are more likely to graduate. In 2013, 99.3% of Teen REACH high school seniors graduated, which is higher than the state average. 93% of participants improved their grades.
  • Workforce Development: Teen REACH supports job growth in Illinois by providing child care for families. The program helps prepare the future workforce by teaching youth 21st Century skills needed in the workplace like handling responsibility, problem-solving, and the ability to work in teams.
  • Safety: Afterschool programs provide a safe haven and help kids avoid risky behaviors during the hours of 3 to 6 p.m., when juvenile crime peaks. 99.8% of Teen REACH youth were safe from violence during program hours in 2013, and 77% of Teen REACH youth improved anger-management and conflict-resolution skills through the program.

Demand for afterschool programs far outpaces supply.

  • There is a shortage of high-quality, affordable, and accessible afterschool options.
  • Over 400,000 children are unsupervised in Illinois in the afterschool hours. Only 18% of youth in Illinois are in afterschool programs, but 41% of youth would participate in a program if one were available.
  • At its height, Teen REACH received $20 million in funding and served 26,000 youth, meaning that 11,000 fewer students were being served by FY15. It’s critical that the state reinvest in quality programs and meet more families’ needs.

Other Teen REACH Action Areas to Consider:

Social Services Contract Notice: 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. The HB3110 fact sheet can be accessedhere. Consider calling legislators in support of this bill.
Thriving Youth Fund: The Thriving Youth Fund bill,SB2046/HB3217, establishes the thriving youth income tax check box that allows tax payers to fund non-Medicaid eligible community-based youth programs, including Teen REACH. The SB2046/HB3217 fact sheet can be accessed here. Consider calling legislators in support of this bill.

Simply put, advocacy is sharing your point of view and ideas with legislators to generate their support for your work. It is also a great way to engage policymakers in discussion of issues constituents, like 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 on afterschool
  • Youmake sure your input is valued and sought

Identifying your legislators

  • Visit the Illinois State Board of ElectionsDistrict/Official Search page to find your federal and state elected officials

Learn about your state legislator

  • Visit the Illinois General Assembly’s website to find the following information about your elected official:
  • Full name
  • Party affiliation
  • Locations of their district and Springfield offices
  • Length of time in office
  • Committees assignments
  • Bills they have sponsored
  • Biographical information
  • Full-time profession
  • Work experience
  • Education
  • Areas of interest
  • Family

You can also find additional information by searching for a legislator’s website online.

When communicating with your elected official, remember the following[1]:

  • Be positive and nonpartisan. Legislators are turned off by 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’s 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 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. 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. Letters should be addressed 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.

Sample letter/email to elected official

Your Name

Your Address

Date

Legislator Name

Legislator Address

Dear (Legislator Name):

Teen REACH is a cost-effective out-of-school time prevention program with a track record of success. It provides safe environments for youth and a unique, comprehensive array of supports including: academic assistance, life-skills building, mentoring, and job preparation.

Teen REACH is a quality afterschool program that improves academic outcomes, provides support for Illinois’ workforce, and keeps youth and communities safe. In 2013, 99.3% of Teen REACH high school seniors graduated, which is higher than the state average. 93% of participants improve their grades. Teen REACH supports job growth in Illinois by providing child care for families and preparing the future workforce by teaching youth 21st Century skills needed in the workplace. Teen REACH also provides a safe haven and helps kids avoid risky behaviors during the hours of 3 to 6 p.m., when juvenile crime peaks.

(Insert a story about your program and how the services you offer connect to positive youth development. Share your program’s impact on your community).

There is a shortage of high-quality, affordable afterschool options. Over 400,000 children are unsupervised in Illinois in the afterschool hours. At its height, Teen REACH received $20 million in funding and served 26,000 youth, meaning that 11,000 fewer students were being served by FY15. It’s critical that any budget resolution include Teen REACH.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Telephone calls to elected officials

You can call your legislator either at their district office or, during the legislative session, at their Springfield office. The Springfield office switchboard can be reached 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.

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 it is requested. 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 it was appreciated.
  • Focus on a single issue–Teen REACH. It’s critical that any budget resolution or stopgap funding include Teen REACH.
  • State your position.Briefly explain your position and how you would like your legislator to vote.
  • Thank the legislator.Remember to always be courteous and respectful. If speaking to a legislative aide, jot down their name.
  • Follow-up. If additional information is requested, 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 .

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/Sentator(Names)’s district, (Insert information on why you support Teen REACH. Include why this subject is of concern to the legislator’s constituents). Remember, be brief!

Staff Member: Thank you for sharing your concerns with us, and I will relay your comments.

Caller: I appreciate you sharing my thoughts on Teen REACH. Have a great day.

Face-to-face meetings are the most effective method of communicating with senators, representatives, and their staff.

Beforeyour visit

  • Make an appointment. Call the legislator’s Springfield or District office and ask to make an appointment. If you can’t make an appointment – ask if there is a good time to stop by the office.
  • Get informed. Familiarize yourself with the Teen REACH information listed above. Think about how you can use your work to emphasize how important it is to fund this program.
  • Prepare your impact story. Take time crafting how you will inform your legislator about your work.
  • Research your legislator. Learn their position on children and youth.

During your visit

  • Arrive early.If you are running late, call and let them know.Plan to be 15 minutes early.
  • Introduce yourself. 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.Ask them to be an advocate for Teen REACH funding. Share your impact story. Explain how your community and the policymaker’s constituents are affected. 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 to always 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 additional information is requested, take care to provide it as quickly as possible.
  • Send a thank you letter.
  • Consider arranging a site visit.

Sample thank you letter

Dear (Legislator Name):

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me (include date) to talk about the importance of supporting Teen REACH. As we discussed, Teen REACH improves education outcomes, helps keep youth safe, and supports workforce development.

I look forward to speaking with you again to further discuss 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, accomplished adults.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

(Your contact information)

Your local newspaper's opinion pages are an important outlet for the afterschool message. In many cases, letters to the editors are your best shot at getting published, if only because newspapers print more letters than op-eds each day. You should research how to submit letters to the editor to your local newspapers. Some papers take letters by fax, email, or on their website; others do not.

Below is a sample letter to the editor on Teen REACH:

Teen REACH Programs Need to be Included in Any Budget Compromise

The Teen REACH program at [your program name] reopened on [date]. Teen REACH is a quality afterschool program which serves thousands of at-risk youth in Illinois. Teen REACH has been hard hit by the budget impasse, with nearly 15,000 youth losing access to critical services that provided them with a safe and enriching environment afterschool. Due to stopgap appropriations, programs have received funding through June 2017. If programs do not receive additional funding, they may need to shut down again.

Teen REACH started in 1991 and has a long history of achieving positive results for Illinois’ youth. In 2013, 99.3% of Teen REACH high school seniors graduated, which is higher than the state average of only 86%. 93% of participants in 2014 improved their grades. 99.8% of Teen REACH youth are safe from violence during program hours, and 77% of Teen REACH youth improve anger-management and conflict-resolution skills through the program.

[Provide some additional details about the types of activities your program conducts, the number of youth you serve, and any other additional pertinent details.]

There is a large need for more afterschool programming in Illinois, making it important that programs like Teen REACH are funded. Over 400,000 children are unsupervised in Illinois in the afterschool hours. Only 18% of youth in Illinois are in afterschool programs, but 41% of youth would participate in a program if one were available.

As legislators continue budget talks, it is critical that they not forget about the importance of Teen REACH programs. Even though Teen REACH currently has funding, it is vital that legislators include Teen REACH in any budget resolution to sustain the longevity of this crucial program. Teen REACH is a cost-effective program that boosts academic outcomes, helps youth develop skills necessary for the workforce, and keeps youth and communities safe.

[Your Name]

[Your Program Name]

[Your Phone Number]

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 bothTwitter and Facebook have “help” pages that will guide you through the process and give you a better understanding on how the platform works.

Sample tweets

Choose the one that resonates most with you and your community. Please tweet at legislators by using their Twitter. Also, use the following hashtag in all your posts:#ACTNowtoFundTeenREACH #Afterschool Advocacy

  • @RepHandle afterschool programs support safety, academic achievement, & success. #ACTNowtoFundTeenREACH
  • @RepHandle Teen REACH keeps kids safe, inspires learning, & supports working families. #Afterschool Advocacy
  • @RepHandletoo many IL kids are left without safe options afterschool. Fund Teen REACH!#ACTNowtoFundTeenREACH
  • @RepHandle Teen REACH helps close the skills gap + the achievement gap so youth can thrive. #Afterschool Advocacy
  • @RepHandle Teen REACH fosters Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, & Hope. #Afterschool Advocacy
  • @RepHandle Without Teen REACH funding, success for many IL kids success is out of REACH. #ACTNowtoFundTeenREACH

Sample Facebook posts