Caregiving Advocacy
in Maryland
Elizabeth Weglein
Governor's Chair
Maryland Caregiver’s Support
Coordinating Council
October 24, 2012
Purpose of Council
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To coordinate statewide planning, development, coordination and
implementation of caregiver support services.
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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.
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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.
Building Relationships
 Build
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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 emails to maintain your message
Be thorough
Be timely
Key Relationships
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Key Relationships who influence Caregiving Issues
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Decision Makers
State Administrators
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State Legislators
State Regulators
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Department s of Health, Human Resources and Disabilities
Department of Budget and Management
Governor's Office
Non-Profits
For-Profits
What is the Process?
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After identifying your issues & priorities and identifying your relationships:
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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.
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If you are contacting a state administrator or regulator, you need to know
what department properly effects and influences the caregiving issue.
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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.
How to Secure Buy In
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Need to keep your membership tied into the process
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Expect:
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Strong communication- face to face, email updates, calls
Strong relationship building- take
Investment of time
Allow input from members
Treat your members as ‘ambassadors’ of your issues
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Network with similar organizations
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Questions?
 Contact:
 Elizabeth
Weglein
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Maryland’s Governor’s Chair, Maryland
Caregivers Support Coordinating Council
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CEO
Elizabeth Cooney Care Network
 Direct
410.608.7966
 ew@elizabethcooneyagency.com