commonwealth prevention alliance nittany lion inn state college, pa june 6, 2012 clay yeager

Commonwealth Prevention Alliance Nittany Lion Inn State College, PA June 6, 2012 Clay Yeager

How to Become a Great Advocate (When Good Isnt Good Enough) How the Legislative Process Works How a Bill Becomes a Law Tools for Connecting to your Legislator Effective Communications Strategies for Engaging the Media

Skills and Qualities Necessary Knowledge of the Legislative Process Knowledge of the Issue(s) Personal commitment to the Issue(s)

What are YOUR expectations in becoming involved in advocacy? What do you want to accomplish? What are the biggest barriers to getting involved? How have you already engaged in advocacy?

1 st - Prison Built in US ( Eastern State Penitentiary) 1 st Highest Rate of Juveniles in Out-of-home Placement Among 10 Most Populated States (OJJDP, daily census) 1 st Among 10 Most Populated with INCREASED out-of-home placements between 2001 and 2010 (OJJDP, daily census) 1 st Number of Juveniles Sentenced to life without parole (Human Rights Watch) 1 st Largest increase in new inmates to state corrections (Pew Center, 2009)

$ 2 Billion 2011/12 Budget for State Corrections System $500 Million Services to Delinquent Youth in PA. $ 1.3 Million proposed 2012/13 Budget for Evidence-Based Prevention and Intervention Programs About 60-75% of adult inmates have juvenile records

$2 BILLION is 2,000 MILLIONS DAILY cost of prisons is $5.4 MILLION DAILY cost of evidence-based prevention is $5 THOUSAND More $ is spent between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in ONE DAY housing 52,000 inmates than is spent during AN ENTIRE YEAR on proven programs designed to keep prevent them from entering

In states, it would rank #2 behind public education At federal level, it would rank #6 behind social security, national defense, income security, Medicare and Medicaid Federal and state governments spend 60 times more to clean up devastation of drug abuse and addiction on children as they do on prevention and treatment

Y.F.C. # 2 $142,715.00 Y.F.C. # 3 $156,220.00 Y.D.C. @ Loysville $162,060.00 Y.D.C. @ Cresson $180,310.00 North Central Secure $189,070.00 Y.D.C. @ New Castle $198,925.00 South Mountain Secure $213,890.00

$177,598.00 average annual cost per youth YOUR county places 6 juvenile offenders in state operated facilities Annual Price tag $1,065,588.00 (for 6 kids)

Number Served 1,000+ high risk children matched 100 + families enrolled for THREE Years 142,000 + students taught peer resistance and conflict resolution skills 5,100+ schools trained 33,000+ elementary school students taught social and emotional regulation P.A.T.H.S. 340+ families taught the curriculum series 60+ youths in care for seven months Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Program

People who love law and good sausage should never watch either being made German Chancellor Otto von Bismark 1815-1898

Bi-Cameral Legislature Two Bodies (Chambers): House and Senate Senate 50 members elected for 4-year terms; headed by Senate President Pro Tempore House 203 members elected for 2-year terms; headed by Speaker of the House

Republicans control the House, the Senate and the Governors Office 30 Republicans in Senate 112 Republicans in House 20 Democrats in Senate 91 Democrats in House

Pennsylvania is the 2 nd largest legislature in the country (behind New Hampshire) Each legislator represents about 60,000 residents Pennsylvania is the largest full-time legislature in the country Members are paid $79,613 annually plus per diems while in session

Coalition (def.): an organization of organizations working together to affect change on similar issues or concerns. Advocates build coalitions to build the power necessary to do something not able to be done by one group alone

Advocacy with legislators is about persuading them to do what you want. The first step is building a strong relationship with them and their staff. You need to earn and nurture their respect Be prepared, know the subject, do not overload them and stick to the issue(s)

Respect their time restraints summarize clearly Research other issues they are involved with Present both sides so they can anticipate the opposition Compliment them on anything a little thank-you goes a long way Get to know their aides they are a key to access

Provide positive public and media opportunities through awards programs, photo ops, annual meetings anything to get them noticed Honor them give them public recognition with a special award Remember their birthdays and other milestones send a handwritten note Only provide them with useful information facts, data, outcomes, cost savings

The most important thing to remember is that elected officials are just like everyone else. They appreciate people who show an understanding and respect for the individual legislators personal philosophy and issues and they take note of coalitions that have a clear strategic vision.

Confront, badger or challenge Take up too much of their time respect theirs Lecture them instead a provide clear, concise message to leave with them Threaten them with negative consequences Become a Jack Abramoff

Letter Writing/e-mail Telephone Face-to-face meetings Public Hearings Testimony

Be clear about what you want Letters should be less then one page Be precise about what you want get right to the point Only address one issue at a time Send letters only when its necessary

Trying to initially drum up support for an issue A vote on a bill of importance is looming The legislator has done something advocates want to praise The legislator is undecided about an issue

Be very clear about the issue and what action you want them to take Address the letter properly (see guidelines) Personalize the issue. Tell them how the issue impacts you, outcomes for youth and families, cost impact Do not ramble Thank them for their attention ask for a written response and their position Include your full name and address to assure them you are a constituent

While nothing is better than a face-to-face meeting, calling assures that someone will answer If the member is not available, it is equally important to convey the message on the issue to the appropriate staff person, e.g. policy director

Prepare your message before you call Identify yourself as a constituent Say exactly what you are calling about use bill numbers or issues State specifically what you would like your legislator to do Leave your name and contact information

Call their capitol office has more impact. During recess, call their local office Do not criticize or debate The call will likely be about 2 minutes critical to get your message across If unable to speak directly to member, staffers have the ear of the boss Conclude by thanking legislator or their staff for their time and attention

Every citizen has the right to seek a meeting with their elected officials A face-to-face meeting is the most effective way to get your message across You can meet several in the Capitol and also in your home district

Make appointments as far in advance as possible Dress professionally Arrive early and be prepared to wait Keep the group small Choose a spokesperson preferably a key, visible leader or someone with a personal connection Ensure the group is diverse; able to address issue from multiple sides

Be informal, but not disrespectful Do not use jargon or acronyms (CTC, SPIF-SIG, PCCD, DPW, EPIS, D&A, ODAP,) they do not speak your language Learn in advance with whom you are meeting; if staff member, its okay as they convey message to member Be specific about what you are asking of the legislator; (cite bill # or line item)

Be prepared to answer questions Bring packets of information to leave, include brief synopsis of issue one sheet fact sheets are best Make yourself available to the legislator as experts on these issues Follow-up; send thank-you letter immediately, along with your contact information

Generally, public hearings are held after a bill has been introduced and assigned to a committee in either the House or Senate Hearings are held to give individuals and groups the opportunity to interact and exchange information and to seek comments regarding a proposed bill

A chance to tell your story (10 minutes or less) Provide facts and data Legislators want hard data, costs, numbers, research, outcomes and impact Start by introducing yourself, the group you represent, the bill # or issue Be brief and precise avoid lengthy clichs or philosophizing

Use personal (and local) examples to prove your points Do not make claims you are not prepared to defend Prepare a written copy of your testimony to leave with committee members, staff, the media and other attendees End by thanking the committee and legislator for the opportunity

Any member of House or Senate can introduce a bill After introduction, measure assigned a # and referred to committee Bills introduced in House are assigned to House committee; in Senate to Senate committee Committee Chair (majority party) decides what bills move forward

Bills before committee are reviewed and debated Committee may hold hearings and solicit testimony Not every bill gets a vote 4 possible outcomes

Committee approves and sent to full House or Senate for consideration Bill amended and sent to full House or Senate for consideration Bill tabled rendering it inactive Bill voted down or never reported out of committee, nullifying it

Approved bills go immediately to respective Appropriations committee A fiscal note or detailed financial impact is included Bills can meet any of same 4 outcomes

After committee approval, House or Senate considers bill MUST be considered on three separate days before voting 1 st Day bill is read on the floor to report as original or amended; no amendments, no debate, no votes

2 nd and 3 rd Days Amendments made, debate offered All legislators present must vote on bill no abstentions or proxies allowed Bill passed or rejected

Bill approved in House or Senate, must go through identical process in the other chamber Example if a House bill is approved by full chamber is then moved to Senate Referred to appropriate Senate committee, then to Appropriations committee for fiscal note

If Senate changes bill, it must go back to House for concurrence to Senate changes Identical versions of bill must be passed by House and Senate Bills approved by both chambers then sent to Governor for signature Assigned Act #

The process can take months Bills not enacted during 2-year session MUST be reintroduced If not enacted, must begin the process again

Issuance of Budget Instructions & PPGs August-Sept. Governors Office & Budget Office Review November-- January Governor Budget Address to General Assembly - February Legislative Review & Budget Enactment February-June 30th New Fiscal Year Begins July 1st

The primary purpose of working with the media is to influence public attitudes about the same issues you advocate. Public opinion is a powerful tool in advancing the issues

Respond to coverage develop and nurture relationships with reporters Become an expert resource Reporters need story ideas, so help them develop stories about your issue Read, watch, listen Get to know the local media reporters for each beat crime and justice, education, health, public policy, government

Cultivate the local media you can make their job easier News Advisory announcing an upcoming event or announcement News Release Provides more detailed information about an issue

Plan activities meetings, forums, announcements, reports with media in mind IF media responds, inform policy officials, legislators and key leaders aware Create opportunity to highlight policy makers in front of media

Develop an always ready media (press) kit handy, including: Cover letter Press release who, what, where, when and why Fact sheet one sheet Brochures Relevant materials, i.e. third party testimonials, research findings, impact on outcomes and costs

Editorial Board meetings most will print editorials on selected issues News stories cultivate relationships with editors and contacts Features photos and in-depth information Letters to the Editor be direct, distilling issue, cite examples; signed with title, address and contact information

Never get into an argument with someone who makes ink by the barrel you will lose Never be condescending or dismissive Never say no comment Never neglect to follow-up if you said you would Never lie or misstate information

GoalsOrganizationalConstituency Targets Tactics Long TermWhat resources can you put in? Who cares about this issue? Who has the influence to give you what you want? Press releases Letter writing Visits Intermediat e How will you organize? How are others organized? Who are your secondary targets? Capitol Day Short TermWhat internal problems might you experience along the way? What power do they have? Meet with legislators Letters to the editor media

"In all forms of government the people is the true legislator. Edmund Burke

www.pa.gov - for a complete list of state agencies www.legis.state.pa.us - for a complete listing of all members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, committee assignments and contact information www.budget.state.pa.us - for a detailed description of the budget process and annual timelines for submission Pennsylvania Legislative Services 717.236.6984

PREVENTION PROGRAMS Blueprints for Violence Prevention Doing it Right Model Fidelity Complete Cost Benefit Analysis, p.16 Special Edition - Preventing the Big Five Teen Pregnancy Drug Abuse Delinquency Violence School Dropout IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIII Pennsylvania Reduces Out-of- Home Placement and Costs at Record Rate Credit Goes to Commonwealth Prevention Alloance June 2014 SPECIAL EDITION

Thank-you for your time and attention today Please feel free to contact me: Clay Yeager 717.870.2144 [email protected]

commonwealth prevention alliance nittany lion inn state college, pa june 6, 2012 clay yeager

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