Advocacy

Contact Policy Makers, Community Leaders and the Media on Behalf of After School Programs
When federal, state and local policy leaders hear from constituents, they often use this information to determine priorities for communities, states and the country. Using the information and tools below is an easy and essential way to make sure that elected officials and other leaders know that afterschool programs are critical to helping America’s families, keeping kids safe and inspiring students to learn.

What is Advocacy?Advocacy is telling a compelling story to a decision maker in an effort to garner support for an issue like Missouri’s After School Programs. It’s as simple as asking a school board member to join the Afterschool for All: Project 2010 effort or emailing Members of Congress.

Sometimes, we will ask supporters to also advocate for sustaining or increasing funding for afterschool programs. If you work in programs that receive federal grants, you cannot ask for increased funding in your official capacity, or use federal funds to advocate to elected officials. But you can communicate the successes of your programs and the hopes you have for continued support from your elected officials.

Why You Should Get InvolvedThe best person to tell the story of how after school helps America’s families, keeps kids safe and inspires students to learn is you - a parent, teacher, principal, law enforcement official, concerned citizen and even a child or youth who benefits from an afterschool program. Local voices are the strongest voices!

How You Can Do ItBeing an advocate for after school programs is easy. We’ve divided it into two sections: Resources, Tips and Tools to prepare your efforts, and Take Action, a list of components to help you join the Afterschool Alliance’s advocacy efforts. Now, just click for more information and get started!

Advocacy Resources, Tips and Tools

• Key Dates for Action
• How a Bill Becomes a Law PDF
• For sample scripts, letters, and organizing site visits, see the Afterschool is Key Campaign

Take Action!

Contact Congress or check out one of the specific action items we’re working on:

• The Afterschool Congressional Caucus
• Afterschool is Key Campaign
• Afterschool for All: Project 2010
• Kids Deserve Better—Afterschool and Elections
• Youth Policy Action Center

Tips for Communicating with Policy Makers

Before Making Contact, Learn Key Background Information

Visit a Senator’s or Representative’s Web site.
(Click here for US Elected Officials: www.senate.gov or www.house.gov or here for Missouri Elected Officials:
www.senate.mo.gov
www.house.mo.gov).

Be sure to note the following:

• Political Party of Member
• Committee assignments
• Biography
• Key positions on your issue
• Member of the Afterschool Caucus?

Identify constituent connections

When you send an email or contact an office, it is important to establish that the elected official represents you. If you know him or her personally, a member of the staff, or even family members or children, be ready to mention this information.

When you call, email or meet in person

• Be specific. Tell the official why you are there and what you want. Your interaction might only last a few minutes.
• Establish yourself an expert information source. Elected officials have limited time, staff and many competing issues to deal with every day. If they sit on a committee that covers afterschool as part of its work, they might be quite familiar with the facts, but many are not. That’s why advocacy is so important. You can fill their information gap and become their "expert."
• It’s ok to admit you don’t know something. It gives you a reason to follow-up with the official or staff after you have researched an answer.
• Don’t "burn bridges." It is easy to get emotional about issues, especially if you are at opposite ends. Work to find some sort of consensus and always leave your dealings with elected officials on positive terms.
• Remember, elected officials work for you! You should be courteous but not intimidated.

After a Meeting

• Follow-up. Thank the official and staff for their time. If you promised information, be sure to get back in touch quickly. If the elected official offered to do something, follow up that offer after a reasonable time and be sure to thank them for any action they took.