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Effective Policy Advocacy in a Fiscally Conservative Era. NACC Annual Conference August 2013 Atlanta, Georgia. What is Public Policy?. What is Advocacy?. Overview of Policy Advocacy Approach. Policy analysis Identifying the issue Doing your homework - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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What is the problem?: Outdated, unclear statutory scheme Georgia’s Juvenile Code was enacted more than 40 years ago and had been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: [email protected]
Karen WorthingtonKaren Worthington ConsultingPhone: 404-200-6315Email: [email protected]