o4a Advocacy Conference - Ohio Association of Area...
Transcript of o4a Advocacy Conference - Ohio Association of Area...
o4a Advocacy Conference Dr. E. Douglas Beach, CEO
Cyndi Rossi, Legislative Liaison Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
March 20, 2019
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Today’s Advocacy in Motion’s (AIM) Presentation
1. Recruiting, training and engaging members of your community to be effective advocates.
2. Developing tools, training and printed materials to support the work of your advocates and legislative priorities.
3. Developing a sustainable advocacy initiative.
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Mandated Advocacy Role
Sec. 1321.61 Advocacy responsibilities of the area agency. The area agency shall serve as the public advocate for the development or enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community based systems of services in each community throughout the planning and service area
Why Start an Advocacy Initiative?
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To address issues and concerns related to older adults and individuals with disabilities
To increase services and programs
To increase communications among groups
To develop political clout
To amplify the voices of those you serve
Organizational Structure
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WRAAA Board of Trustees
Advocacy in Motion
(AIM)
AIM Team Cuyahoga
County
AIM Team Geauga County
AIM Team
Lake County
AIM Team Lorain County
AIM Team Medina County
Public Policy Committee
Five County Advisory Council
CEO Extension of the OAA Federal mandate that the CEO is the
prime advocate for services in the AAA
Train Volunteers How To Be Effective Advocates
Advocacy training should include: What is advocacy and why is
it important? What are effective advocacy
methods? What are the advocacy do’s
and don’ts? How to communicate
effectively with elected officials
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Advocacy Trainings
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Recruiting Volunteers
• Research sources of potential volunteers in your community and your networks.
• Develop a volunteer application and brochure.
• Develop plans to engage volunteers.
• Convince potential volunteers to become active volunteers.
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Educate Your Volunteers
Educate volunteers on legislative issues and priorities •WRAAA - home and community
based services that help alleviate isolation and loneliness:
•Home Delivered Meals •Transportation
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Negative Health Effects of Isolation and Loneliness
Associated with high rates of:
• Chronic health condition including heart disease
• Weakened immune system
• Depression and anxiety
• Dementia, including Alzhiemer’s disease
• Admission to nursing homes or use of emergency services
• Death
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Legislative Priority: Food Insecurity
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Legislators Deliver Meals
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Engage Your Volunteers: Testify
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Engage Your Volunteers: Meetings with Legislators
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Engage Your Volunteers: Letter Writing Campaign
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Engage Volunteers: Paper Plate Campaign
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Engage Your Volunteers: Paper Plate Campaign
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Engaged Your Volunteers: Senior Hunger Advocacy Day
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• 40 advocates dedicated their day to meet with 17 State legislators
• Event Sponsors: Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, o4a, Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, and The Center for Community Solutions
How to Sustain Your Initiative
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• Communicate
• Emails
• Regularly scheduled meetings
• Volunteer Recruitment/Engagement Activities
• Provide training and hold community forums
• Report on Activities
• Newsletter/Annual Report
• Your Agency’s Board/Committee
• Evaluate for feedback
Engage Clients: Personal Stories
• Powerful advocacy tool
• Puts a ‘face’ to the issue
• Personal stories have value and meaning
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Senior Hunger Advocacy Day
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Tuesday, May 7th
Sheraton Capital Square Hotel
Brief Training & Continental Breakfast
Legislative Rooms
Sponsored by WRAAA/AIM and Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Center for Community Solutions
Contact Information
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Dr. E. Douglas Beach, CEO
WRAAA
Direct Line: (216) 727-2621
Email Address: [email protected]
Cyndi Rossi, Legislative Liaison
WRAAA
Direct Line: 216.727.2622
Email Address: [email protected]