| |
Advocacy Day 2008!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Going to Capitol Hill Actually Makes a Difference!
The most important thing you can do while you're in Washington is visit your Member of Congress.
Members of Congress have agreed to cosponsor crucial legislation as a result of visits made on past CWLA Hill Days. After last year's conference, a Member of Congress introduced legislation specifically geared toward addressing youth aging out of the foster care system. Four years ago, CWLA members were able to affect the introduction of monumental kinship legislation.
These are just a couple of examples that show how your visits to Congress have a direct effect on the lives of children. Join us on the Hill to keep up the momentum you have created!
The Message is simple:
Support a White House Conference on Children and Youth
CWLA has launched a Campaign for a White House Conference on Children and Youth to take place in 2010.
This White House Conference would be the first since 1970. Nearly four decades have passed without the White House bringing the focus of the nation to examine the state of our children. CWLA is calling on Congress to authorize this conference so the next President will convene a conference in 2010. We must once again use the power of the White House to organize a national conference on the welfare of our children to establish national goals for improvement in the subsequent 10 years.
The fundamental purpose of the 2010 White House Conference on Children and Youth is to fulfill the nation's need for an overall vision in child welfare and refocus an inspired understanding of the many facts we have at our disposal and put them into practice at this critical juncture. There has never been the summation of knowledge and experience as what now lies before the 2010 conference. Now is the time to bring together the years of research and expertise that will make a difference in the lives of children if focused upon nationally.
Join us on the Hill to call on Congress for a White House Conference!
|
CWLA's annual Hill Day is now Advocacy Day. The change is an effort to help agencies become consistent, effective policy advocates and agents for change on all fronts.
This is the opportunity to take the knowledge we have from working with children and families and use it to influence public policy--to give children a voice regarding policies that affect their lives.
To accommodate the varying degrees of experience among advocates, we have created different opportunities and workshops for the least-experienced advocate to the most seasoned. For those who have not participated in Hill Day in the past, we hope you will join us this year for Advocacy Day!
Capitol Hill
CWLA's Advocacy Day gives conference attendees the opportunity to meet with Members of Congress about issues that affect the children, youth, and families we serve. Hill Day participants will learn about key children's issues facing Congress from leaders in the field, CWLA staff, and key policymakers. Members of Congress need to hear what their votes will mean for the children, youth, and families in your state and local community. For the first time in a long time, child welfare issues are getting much attention on Capitol Hill, and crucial legislation is in play. Make your voice heard on behalf of the children you serve!
The Media
To create visibility around the White House Conference and other policy priorities for children, the League encourages you to arrange some time with the media on Advocacy Day. You can meet with your media contact on the Hill or at the conference hotel in the press room at 3:30, when others will be meeting with media. Contact your local media to set this appointment before the conference, and contact CWLA's Government Affairs department with any questions. Media are a huge component in our strategy to shift this nation's priorities back toward children--contact your media affiliate and set up your appointment today! CWLA will help you make this happen!
Get Ready to Head for the Hill - What to do in Preparation for Advocacy Day
Contact your state leader. Each state has a designated State Leader who is a leader in the field, an advocate in hisor her state, and a volunteer with CWLA to lead each state's delegation to Capitol Hill. In preparation for Advocacy Day, state leaders are extensively briefed on CWLA's 2008 legislative priorities and thoroughly prepared for Capitol Hill meetings. Your state leader will arrange a visit for your state's delegation with your U.S. Senator. You will most likely make your own appointment with your Representative, but talk with your state leader about this, as well. Click here to contact your state leader about the upcoming Senate meetings, discuss the interests of your agency or local community, learn more about Advocacy Day, or simply introduce yourself as a 2008 conferee and fellow children's advocate.
Make an appointment with your U.S. Representative. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard (202/225-3121) and ask to be connected to your Representative. Tell the appointment secretary that you will be in Washington, D.C., attending CWLA's National Conference and want to meet with your Representative, Tuesday, February 26, 2008, between 2:30 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.
Meeting with the key staff member of your Representative is incredibly important. Even if you don't meet with your actual Member of Congresss, his or her staff are their closest advisors, and they heavily influence the decisions made by your Member of Congress. Key staffers are how we get most of this important work done!
Advocacy Day 2008: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Workshops
Many of the workshops this morning will be focused on policy and advocacy. Join us for these important sessions that will prepare you for Advocacy Day.
General Session
A View from Capitol Hill in a Presidential Election Year
Hear from an influential Member of Congress about the important issues facing children, youth, and families, and hear more about where children are on the priority list for the Presidential hopefuls. Learn directly from a key policymaker how you can impact the decisions made in Congress. Also, get an overview of CWLA's policy priorities as highlighted in its 2008 Children's Legislative Agenda.
Regional/State Caucuses
Caucuses are different this year!
CWLA is calling on Congress and the President to hold a White House Conference on Children and Youth. Attend your Regional Caucus to hear more about this bold endeavor! The caucuses have been expanded to include everyone, and they are longer this year. This is a great opportunity to network with your state and region over lunch regarding federal policy and advocacy.
Each regional caucus will start with a general briefing to hear about specific legislation in play and the White House Conference. Then you will meet with your specific state leaders, who will brief you on important issues, provide you with written materials targeted to your members of Congress, and coordinate the Senate appointments for your state delegation.
Congressional Visits
Meet with your members of Congress and carry the message for children! Buses board from the hotel's 24th Street entrance. The last bus leaves at 2:00 p.m.
Buses are different this year!
Buses will return from the Capitol on a staggered schedule starting at 3:00 p.m., with the last bus leaving for the hotel at 5:30 p.m. Make your way back in time for dinner!
Roundtables
Alghouth the League strongly encourages conference attendees to meet with their Member of Congress on Advocacy Day, conference attendees who will not be making visits to the Hill will have an opportunity for dialogue with peers around specific topics or focus areas of interest.
Federal Agencies
After you meet with your Member of Congress, you'll have an opportunity to meet with representatives from federal agencies.
 Back to Top  Printer-friendly Page  Contact Us
|
|
