Early Childhood Advocacy:
Beyond the Basics and
Into Practice!
Judy Dungan
Missouri Children’s Leadership
Council
Missouri Alliance for
Children, Youth, &
Families
Child Advocacy Day
April 1, 2015
Jefferson City, MO
1. What issues in your
community are of
concern to you?
2. What do you need to
be an effective
advocate for children
or for early childhood
programs?
10 Steps for Effective Advocacy
1. Understand advocacy and why your
voice matters
2. Get informed and stay informed
3. Identify an issue
4. Develop goals & objectives
5. Understand the basic legislative and
budget processes and the key players
6. Identify your targets
7. Develop an advocacy message
8. Build relationships
9. Go forth & advocate!
•
•
Develop materials
Opportunities for advocacy
10. Monitor the Implementation
What is Advocacy?
An action directed at changing the
policies, position, or programs of any type
of institution.
• Building support for an issue or cause and
influencing others to take action.
• Making sure that the necessary financial
resources are provided for programs and services.
• Persuading government officials to prioritize
services.
• Informing the general public and opinion leaders
about an issue or problem and mobilizing them to
apply pressure to those in the position to take
action.
Developing Goals
& Objectives
An advocacy goal is the long-term result of
your advocacy effort. It is the change you want
to see, your vision, or your dream.
Example: All families have access to free and
voluntary pre-kindergarten programs that
enable children to start school prepared for
success and help parents advance and be
productive in the workforce.
An advocacy objective is a specific, shortterm result that contributes toward your goal.
Example: Lobby the Missouri State Legislature
to pass legislation that would allow school
districts to receive state funding through the
foundation formula for an early childhood
education program.
Developing Goals
& Objectives
Advocacy Objectives
Should Be SMART!
S
Specific
M
Measurable
A
Achievable
R
Realistic
T
Time-bound
Elements of an Advocacy
Objective:
Decision Maker + Action
+ Outcome + Time
Political Landscape
in Missouri
• Majority Party: Republicans
• House: 117 to 44
• Senate: 25 to 9
• Governor: Democrat
• Lt. Governor: Republican
Revenue Dispute Impacts State Budget
FY 2015
This year legislative leaders and Governor’s
office did not reach consensus on expected
revenue (source: Missouri Budget Project)
The Budget Cycle
Budget sent to
Governor for
signature or
veto
House &
May
Senate debate,
amend, and
April
pass budget
bills
New budget
year advocacy
begins
June
February
January
Governor
submits
budget to
Legislature
July
Department
directors
develop their
budgets
October
Governor
December
reviews
departments’
budget
requests
Think Strategically
Target Decision Makers
4 Determine which policymakers influence
each issue
• Relevant committee, leadership,
administrative agency
4 Identify volunteer, staff, and allies with
potential relationships to targeted
decision makers
4 Utilize your relationships with business,
civic, and labor leaders
4 Build relationships with key legislative
staff
Establishing Relationships
With Elected Officials
Get to know elected officials AND candidates
BEFORE you need to ask them to do something!
Do Some Research:
4 What is the official’s
political party?
• Republican or Democrat
4 What is his/her political
philosophy?
• socially or fiscally liberal, moderate, or conservative
4 What are the primary
his/her district?
influential factors in
• Labor, business, faith groups, poverty
4 Does s/he have a personal connection to your
issue?
• Have children? Relevant career?
An Effective Advocacy Message:
4 Informs
4 Persuades
4 Moves the audience to action
•Use facts and figures
•Use real-life, human examples
•Are appealing on a personal level
•Are simple, concise
•Use appropriate language
•Use a credible messenger
•Use tone and language that are consistent with message (ie.
serious, humorous)
•Provide a clear call to action
2 Minute Elevator Speech
Staying on Message
• Anticipate opposition viewpoints and have
counterpoints ready
• Don’t lie – if you don’t know an answer to a
question, say you’ll follow up
• Don’t use jargon or acronyms.
• Use “off-message” questions to bridge to
your point.
– The best way to answer that is to look at
the broader issue…
– What’s really at issue here…
• Don’t repeat negative questions or accept the
frame.
Opportunities for
Legislative Advocacy
4
4
4
4
Testify at hearings
In-District Meetings
Invite Legislators to See Programs
Capitol Lobby Visits
4 Organize a public rally or an event with a
key speaker
4
4
4
4
4
Develop region-specific fact sheets
Collect petitions for your cause
Social media
Phone calls
Letters/Emails
Testify at Hearings
Who is Qualified to Testify?
4 Subject matter experts
4 Individuals who are, or will be, directly
affected by the legislation under
discussion.
4 Representatives of groups or
organizations that support individuals
who will be directly affected by the
legislation.
4 Grassroots Advocates!
Capitol Lobby Visits
4
Call ahead to make an appointment. If you are
unable to meet with the elected official, meet with
members of his or her staff.
4
Prepare an informational sheet on your issue of one
page or so that you can leave with the legislator
(legislator leave behind)
4
4
4
4
Explain your concerns (the components of your
case).(Legislative Priorities Fact Sheet)
Keep the meeting brief—not longer than 15
minutes.
Take a step to continue your dialogue beyond this
initial meeting. For example, you might invite the
Representative to visit a particular agency or
organization in your area.
Send a thank you note as a follow-up to the
meeting.
Social Media Advocacy
4
Connect with legislators and share your
organization’s message.
4
Keep posts short and to the point.
4
Use pictures, videos, or other web links when
possible.
4
Set aside time each day to check in on your page.
4
Use hashtags to categorize your messages and
connect with other advocates!
4
Maintain professionalism and be respectful.
Get Social with #MOCAD2015
Sample tweet: “Standing up for
children who cannot always stand up
for themselves #MOCAD2015”
Sample tweet: “Great day advocating
on behalf of children and families in
Jefferson City! #MOCAD2015”
Sample tweet: “An investment in
children is an investment in the
future! #MOCAD2015 #InvestinKids”
Find Missouri leaders on Twitter!
@GovJayNixon
@PeterKinder
@ClintZweifel
@Koster4Missouri
@JasonKander
@RoyBlunt
@ClaireCMC
@JohnDiehlJr
@JacobHummel
@SenatorDempsey
@JoeKeaveny
Child Advocates on Twitter
@MOChildAdvocacy
@NatlPAT
@MOParent
@MOChildCare
@MO_Afterschool
@JudyDunganMO
@ErinBrower
#MOCAD2015
#InvestinKids
#moleg
•Overview of Legislative Priorities
Sheet
•Advocacy Groups Pick their
Priority Topics
•Go forth and Advocate!
Questions?