Advocacy Toolkit for Caregiving
Coalitions
Advocacy- Why Now?
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State Budgets
Federal Budgets
65.7 Million Family Caregivers in need of
resources
Improving State Resources
Identify State Leaders
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Start by visiting: www.congress.org to locate your state
legislators
Visit your leaders website and find out what committees
they are a part of. Target your leaders that have an interest
in aging/family issues. The Key is to find the leaders who
may influence change and are able to work with you on an
advocacy campaign.
Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff
member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with
the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to
comment
Advocacy Cycle
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Identify issue or problem
Research cause and effect
Plan goals, objectives, indicators,
methods, activities, and timeline
Act
Monitor and Evaluate actions and results
Know the Leaders
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Create a list of legislators who care about these issues,
especially those on key committees that focus on aging,
disability and caregiver issues
Search the state legislation for policy makers who have
created, supported or voted on caregiving, aging and
disability issues
Begin developing relationships with those members and
their key staff. Set up meetings, email the staff with helpful
information and keep in contact with them
Become their resource!
Know the Process
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Learn how the budget process in your state works– many
states produce a document on the process, but you can talk
to other people who have been through the budget
advocacy process before.
Track key committees—when they are meeting, what their
agendas are, who are the staff of the committees (get to
know them)
When you identify an issue, think about at what points you
can effect the legislative process
Identify other groups that are possible partners or coalition
members and that are potentially more seasoned in this
work
Track the Legislation
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Following the legislative process for your advocacy and to
keep your members informed is a key process
Create a grid or structured form to track relevant
legislation. This grid could include the name and number of
the bill, sponsors, summary of legislation, where it is in the
policy process and who is supporting or opposing the
measure
Prioritize Issues
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Create a list of priorities for your coalition. This will make
tracking and managing the advocacy process much easier
Prioritizing is also helpful for the policy makers when you
meet with them. You will want to have a clear message to
present so you do not overwhelm them with a wish list of
hundreds of asks. Create 1-5 asks that the coalition can
agree upon and have those on all your material during the
campaign
Create Justification
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Especially when your coalition is working on budget
advocacy efforts, a justification or clear impact statement
about your budgetary ask is critical to policy makers paying
attention. Legislators are looking for a bang for their buck
as well as for programs that make a big impact. Create one
document that articulates the impact that specific programs
will make
Tracking State Budgets
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The State budget process will vary by State. Typically the Governor’s office
will submit the State budget by the first of the year and then the State
Legislature will act on it usually by June.
The National Council on State Legislature is a great resource to find
information in regards to your State budget process:
http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabID=756&tabs=951,61,132#132
The Kaiser Family Foundation has a whole website devoted to state
budgets and recent budget cuts. It is interactive website that you can
click on the state your interested in get the latest information on what's
happening in that state with regard to Medicaid cuts, or education
spending. Etc… http://www.statehealthfacts.org
It is important for the Coalition to note that even if programs are defunded or eliminated all together, remember to advocate for the policy to
remain in place. Coalitions need to be sure that the language is still in even
if there is no funding because the funding can always come back.
Raise Awareness
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Although legislators might be your key decision makers,
keeping a broad view of who you are trying to influence is
key. Other groups you might be able to influence with your
legislative advocacy include:
 Potential new members of your coalition
 Media
 General Public
 Possible Funders
Resources
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Caregiving in the U.S. 2009
www.caregiving.org
Caregiver Coalition Advocacy Guide
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content/pdfs/2009Primer%20State%20Advocacy.pdf
AARP, Across the States 2006: Profiles of Long-Term Care and
Independent Living
http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/ltc/Other/articles/across_the
_states_2006__profiles_of_longterm_care_and_independent_living.html
Making the Case: Saving Your State’s Caregiver Support Programs
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content/pdfs/2009Primer%20State%20Advocacy.pdf
Strategy Chart
Goals
Organizational
Considerations
Constituents
Allies
Opponents
Targets
Tactics
Long Term:
Secure resources
needed for
campaign-inkind donation
of lobbyist or
government
relations staff
of coalition
partner
What do we want to
get out of the
campaign
Fund expenses,
gain influence
in districts,
develop
grassroots
campaign
Constituents
Coalition partners
Health systems
Allies
Professional
Associations
Academic
Institutions
Opponents
Other collaborative
efforts
Mayor
Governor
State legislators
City Council
Media campaign to
increase
awareness
Engaging human
resource
managers
association
Letter writing
campaign to
legislators
Legislative visit day
State Caregiver
Respite Plan is
fully funded
and
operational
Intermediate Term
Legislation
supporting
respite is
passed
Short Term:
Identify influential
legislative
sponsor
Source: Midwest Academy, 28 E. Jackson Blvd, #605, Chicago, IL 60604
Solutions Sheet
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Each State Coalition should develop a solutions sheet to develop
for their advocacy campaign. Choosing the top priorities/programs
that your coalition wants to advocate for and providing solutions
on how to make it happen.
For Example: Keeping State Caregiver Respite Plan fully funded