From: CWLA Member Exclusives
Subject: Regional Public Policy

Although most of the nightly news programs focus their attention on political activities at the national level, CWLA recognizes that some of the most important work for children is being done in state capitals and governors' mansions. That's why our newly formed Regional Public Policy unit focuses on state and local policy and political issues as identified by our members.

To become an effective and responsive advocacy partner with our members on state and local issues, CWLA's Regional Public Policy unit works with our members and our Government Affairs office to convene regional public policy committee meetings, state leader calls, steering committee meetings, on-line advocacy discussion groups, and other forums. We're also developing an advocacy network that includes CWLA's state leaders, public policy committees, affinity groups, state association directors, advocacy directors at our member agencies, board members and other staff at our member agencies, and federal, state, and local key contacts identified by our member agencies.

CWLA's other means of support include developing forums for discussion, providing tool-kits for state and local advocacy, fostering communication among states, conducting advocacy training, and providing information support. When requested and as resources allow, we provide testimony at the state and local levels, local media work, and facilitate assistance from CWLA's field consultants.

And we don't stop there. Acting as a spokesperson for members, the local advocacy initiative helps translate members' state and local needs into federal action. The Regional Public Policy unit also serves as an internal resource for all CWLA departments on state and local issues: Every division in the League conducts work that affects member agencies on a regular basis, so the Regional Public Policy unit helps CWLA better understand the implications of local politics on any effort they are working on at the state and local level.

If you would like to become more actively involved in CWLA's advocacy network, call your regional office directly or contact Melinda Schriver, Regional Advocacy and Outreach Communications Director, at 202/639-4922 or mschriver@cwla.org.

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