N A C C A N N UA L C O N F E R E N C EA U G U S T 2 0 1 3

AT L A N TA , G E O R G I A

Effective Policy Advocacy in a Fiscally Conservative Era

What is Public Policy?

What is Advocacy?

Overview of Policy Advocacy Approach

Policy analysis Identifying the issue Doing your homework Assessing the political and social landscape

Developing a strategic advocacy plan Assessing risk Building alliances and working with coalitions Messaging effectively

Implementing your plan Engaging the process

Evaluating your efforts

Cycle of Public Policy Development

Problem Identification

Research

Identify Goal

Assess Possible SolutionsSelect a Strategy

Implementation

Evaluation

Before You Start

Know the rules

Know your organization

Know the environment

Problem Identification

AKA Identifying the Issue

What is the problem?Whom does it affect?How does it manifest?What existing policies relate to the problem? What is the result you are seeking?

Problem Identification

What is the problem?: Outdated, unclear statutory scheme Georgia’s Juvenile Code was enacted more than 40 years ago and had been

amended in piecemeal fashion without full review Who does it affect? Practitioners (judges, lawyers, probation

officers, social workers), and children and their familiesHow does it manifest? Georgia Appleseed’s Common Wisdom

reportWhat existing policies relate? Title 15, Chapter 11What is the result being sought? A comprehensive revision of

the state’s Juvenile Code to ensure compliance with federal law, incorporation of best practice and social science research, and to realize improved outcomes for children, families, and the community

Problem Identification

What is the scope and scale of the problem?What does the available data show?

Baseline and forecastWhat are the causes of the problem?

Story behind the curveWhat does good legislation look like?

Conduct a 50-state survey Identify recommendations for best practice Consult with national experts

Research

Proposed Model Code Available data

Research

Assessing the Political LandscapeIs the policy environment favorable?

First rule: do no harmWhich is the majority party?Who are known or potential allies within the majority party?Which legislators are in key positions of authority, power or

influence?Which legislators are responsive to your (issue)

constituency?Which stakeholders will expect to be consulted?

Research

Republican Governor 2003-2011: Former foster parent 2011-current: Former juvenile court judge

Republican majority House and Senate Children’s “champions” Issue proponents

Identify Goal

Coalition resolved to “not go backward”Research-based statutes encouraging best practicesStatutes that are compliant with current federal lawPromote the public conversation about “justice for

youth”Facilitate a consensus public agenda for children

Assess Possible Solutions

Legislation is not always the answer. Other options include:

Agency policiesAdministrative rulemakingMemorandums of understandingProtocolsBench guidesCourt rulesEducationLitigation

Assess Possible Solutions

Who are your adversaries? What are their needs, wants and highest values? Can they be neutralized through compromise?

Who are your best allies? What are their needs, wants and highest values? What is the win-win for you both? How will you engage them?

Who or what are potential casualties? What do they stand to lose?

Assess Possible Solutions

Adversaries: Prosecuting Attorneys Council Association of County Commissioners Individual stakeholders, on single issues

Allies: Possibly some state agencies Individual attorneys Public interest legal groups Faith communities

Casualties: Possibly DFCS, DJJ (loss of control, shifting service areas)

Assess Possible Solutions

What is the potential contribution to the problem?What is the potential impact on the target population?What is your likelihood of success?What is the potential risk to you or your organization?Do you have sufficient capacity to engage?

What role will you play? What partners are needed? Cost/benefit analysis

Select a Strategy

Building Alliances and Working with Coalitions

Advantages Achieve and demonstrate broad support Development of robust advocacy strategy over time Greater impact achieved by bringing many groups/constituencies

together around coordinated message Provides protection to some members (“power in numbers”) Reduce competing messages delivered to policymakers about a

particular issue; demonstrate consensus

Select a Strategy

Building Alliances and Working with CoalitionsDisadvantages

Visibility of large group overwhelms opportunity for private advocacy

Dilutes authority to agree, compromise Lack of consensus, shared credit results in failure Take time to develop Require strong leadership capacity Can detract from individual partner organization’s mission,

create competing internal priorities

Select a Strategy

Do the other member organizations have a good reputation? Will an association with any of them hurt you in the eyes of your target audience?

Who is in charge of the coalition? Is this a person (or group) you can easily work with? Do they have good leadership skills?

What is the purpose, advocacy strategy, and approach of the coalition? Is there strong consensus on these matters among members?

Do the members of the coalition have good relationships?Does the coalition have the resources it needs to carry out its agenda?

What kind of resource commitment is required of you? What role is being offered to you as a coalition member? Who in your

organization will attend the coalition meetings?

Implementation

Identify your audience(s)Adopt prevailing political rhetoricKeep key messages simple and short; avoid jargonBe prepared to answer the question “What do you want me

to do?”Choose the best messenger and strategically target outletsReinforce messages

Respond timely to concerns Follow-up Resend messages

Letters, emails, phone calls Live presentations

Implementation

Surveying candidatesVoter polling Meeting with legislatorsTestifying at committeesCoordinating efforts with advocacy partnersStakeholder meetingsCreating educational materials (research, draft

legislation, fact sheets)Communicating

Evaluating Your Efforts

Often, requires a multi-year processDid we meet our goals?Was the final legislation ‘worth’ the investment of

time, resources, relationships, etc.?What new alliances exist for future work?What bridges were broken?What would we change if we had to do it again?

Case Studies

The JUSTGeorgia Experience: Summary

2004: Charge to Juvenile Law Committee to create a comprehensive revision to Georgia’s Juvenile Code

2004-2008: Reporters hired, research conducted2006: JUSTGeorgia Coalition formed2008: Proposed Model Code released for public comment2009-2013: Georgia General Assembly considered

versions of bill2012: Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform re-

established and tasked with juvenile justice system reform2013: House Bill 242 passes unanimously, to take effect

January 1, 2014

Case Study – Instructions for group

Contact Information

Melissa CarterExecutive Director, Barton Child Law & Policy CenterEmory Law SchoolPhone: 404-727-0333Email: melissa.d.carter@emory.edu

Karen WorthingtonKaren Worthington ConsultingPhone: 404-200-6315Email: karen@karenworthington.com