ADVOCACY: USING YOUR VOICE
WHAT IS ADVOCACY?
Advocacy is the important work of identifying a particular cause or policy and working to ensure that the public is informed. Additionally, it is the way change is made in the political process and it is the way to direct decision-makers toward a solution.
Examples of Advocacy
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Posting about an issue on Facebook or Twitter
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Giving your opinion in a community meeting
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Standing up for someone who was being unfairly treated in public
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Talking to your legislators about an issue
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Visiting your representative at your state capitol
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Writing a letter to the editor
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Voting or engaging in the election process during an election year
legislative ADVOCAcy
Find your Rep
The first step to advocating for what you believe in is to find your representatives. To make your advocacy process as simple as possible, we have two buttons to the side that will help you get in contact with your reps. Once you’ve located your elected officials, click on the link to be taken to their personal website. Here you can find the address and telephone number of the nearest legislative office.
communicate with your legislator
Writing a letter or sending an email to your representatives is an effective way to engage them on your issue of concern. The following letter is a sample:
Opening
"Dear Senator or Representative _______,
I am writing to ask that you support the following key programs in Fiscal Year 2019. As an advocate for healthy families and thriving children, I urge you to consider funding these important programs to help ensure we reduce child abuse and neglect, promote healthy child development, and improve parental education."
Identify the bill for the legislator to support
"HB ___ or SB ____ is of great importance to families.
Research is clear: evidenced-based prevention programs reduce the likelihood of costly ailments to the individual and to society, including mental illness, criminal justice, child welfare, substance abuse and addiction, and the perpetuation of abuse and neglect. Prevention services strengthen families and give families the tools they need to succeed and thrive. Please help the children and families in your district by supporting these important issues today.
Sincerely,
NAME
ADDRESS"
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
EVERY YEAR, THE PCA ILLINOIS ADVOCACY COMMITTEE DRAFTS A STATEMENT OF THE ADVOCACY ISSUES WE ARE TAKING UP FOR THE YEAR. CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST ISSUES STATEMENT
PCA Illinois works with our advocacy partners to strengthen families and support children. The partnerships work to ensure that vital information for legislators and advocates is developed and distributed. Please click on the logos to learn more about our advocacy partners.
