Network Resources: Peer Mentoring Network: Advocacy: Technical Assistance

• Guiding Questions
• Additional Resources

Guiding Questions

1) Is advocacy training provided throughout your state? Is your HFA program linked with other state child advocacy groups like the Voices for America's children affiliate or Prevent Child Abuse America chapter? Do you participate in broader coalitions?

2) Is advocacy in your state inclusive of diverse groups and reflective of the various levels of impact an advocacy agenda must be geared towards (ie. national, state, local)?

3) Do you provide technical assistance by:

• Providing consistent messaging to keep the network informed
• Offering templates such as sample letters, media guidelines, examples of testimony, etc.?
• Modes of communication such as email alerts, phone trees, legislative action center and advocacy updates on your website?

4) Funding is largely dependent on your ability to effectively advocate. Are there identified state leaders responsible for fostering relationships with key state funders such as the governor, county officials, legislators and state contacts at crucial departments (public health, social services, human services, etc.)?

Additional Resources

"Networking for Policy Change: An Advocacy Training Manual" by the POLICY project is an excellent resource for basic advocacy training and includes workshop ideas, training activities and useful resources. More...

The Advocacy and Public Policy chapter of the HFA state systems development guide. More...

Voices for America's Children (formerly National Association of Child Advocates) Child Advocacy Primer. More...

"Influencing Policy through Advocacy." More...

Providing guidance on limits to non-profit lobbying The Alliance for Justice offers workshops, printed materials and free technical assistance. More...

Grassroots Advocacy Training Exchange. More...

The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations: Shaping Public Policy at the State and Local Level by Marcia Avner, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. Available through the Wilder Foundation, www.wilder.org or 1-800-274-6024.

The Nonprofit Action Center. More...