lac 2017 - school nutrition · 2017-04-06 · –increased funding in 2016 and maintained in 2017...

LAC 2017SUCCESSFUL STATE LOBBYING STRATEGIES

TONI HILL, VIRGINIA SNA

MONA MARTINEZ-BROSH, RD, COLORADO SNA

SLIDES AND HANDOUTS AT

www.SchoolNutrition.org/LACResources

Copyright © 2017 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org

Successful State Lobbying Strategies

Toni Hill

Public Policy and Legislation Committee Chair

School Nutrition Association of Virginia


Successful State Lobbying Strategies

Every SNA member can be a voice

for the children that you serve.


SNA-VA In Action!• Virginia Legislature

– Creating the “Breakfast After the Bell” incentive program

– Increased funding in 2016 and maintained in 2017

– Moved “Farm to School Week” to October

• Governor’s Office

– Partnership with Virginia’s First Lady, Mrs. Dorothy McAuliffe

– Commonwealth Council on Bridging the Nutritional Divide

– Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Team

• Working with State Agencies

– Recommended guidance on healthy fundraisers

– Farm to School Task Force within the Department of Agriculture


SNA-VA’s Advocacy Program

• Public Policy and Legislation Committee

• Contract Lobbyist

• Engaged Executive Board

• In-district legislative visits/relationship building

• Annual “Day on the Hill”


Educating Policy Makers

• Many legislators are unfamiliar with our programs

• Invite them to visit your cafeteria

• Explain the “business of school nutrition”

• Provide educational materials


Delegate Garrett visiting Forest

Elementary in Bedford County


Public Policy Champions

• Identify Current Champions– Who is already interested?

– Supportive legislators, Board of Education members, agency

staff, influential community members, etc.

– Virginia’s First Lady: SNA-VA’s biggest champion

• Cultivate New Champions– Who do you need to be interested?

– Legislators on key committees, same groups as above

– Delegate Scott Garrett


School Nutrition staff at Sugarland Elementary School pictured with:

Senator Wexton, Delegate Greason, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe,

Delegate Murphy and Delegate Boysko


Determining Priorities

• What do your members care about?– State funding

– Funding for innovative programs

– Competitive foods

– Physical education

• Evaluate the political environment

• Short term vs. long term goals


Passing Legislation

• Identify the issue– Legislation?

– Budget item?

• Choose patrons– Key committees

– Leadership roles

• Lobby the committee

• Build a coalition of support

• Targeted grassroots advocacy


Annual Lobby Day

• Pick a convenient day

• Incentivize participation

• Provide detailed information

• Set up appointments with legislators

• Make it fun!


Day on the Hill 2017


Meeting with Delegate Garrett

at our Day on the Hill


Walking to the Capitol for our introduction

during the House of Delegates session


The Voice of School Nutrition in Virginia

The School Nutrition Association of Virginia (SNA-VA) is a professional association, representing more than 1,700 members throughout the Commonwealth. The SNA-VA is

dedicated to promoting optimal health, nutrition and education of Virginia students by offering nutritious food options in financially sound school nutrition programs.

2017 Legislative Positions

SUPPORT: Maintain Current Funding for Breakfast After the Bell Program

• Last year’s budget included $1.078 million to increase the number of school breakfasts served to students after the start of the school day.

• Thank you to the General Assembly for making this a priority and supporting this program.

• Breakfast After the Bell has resulted in over 19,300 more breakfast meals served each day to students in Virginia eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

SUPPORT: Consolidation of School Nutrition Programs

• Proposed budget transfers the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program from the Department of Health to the Department of Education.

• Programs currently at the Department of Agriculture will remain there.

• This will create a streamlined and more efficient system.

Name: School Division:

Address:

E-mail:


Creating a “Public Policy Culture”

• Integrate PP&L into all your events

• Have lobbyist attend meetings

• Invite legislators to visit your cafeteria

• Promote your lobby day

• Keep members consistently updated


SNA-VA with Governor McAuliffe and

the First Lady at the Executive Mansion


Case Study: Breakfast After the Bell

• Issue: How do we get more schools to try this program?

• Visit with Del. Garrett

• 2013 Resolution

• Joint Commission on Health Care presentation

• 2015 budget proposal

• Today: Over 19,000 more breakfast meals served every

day to students eligible for free & reduced


Case Study: Working with Virginia’s First Lady

• Mrs. McAuliffe reached out to members

• Childhood hunger efforts

• Visits cafeterias, SNA conferences, SNA events

• Elevated our issues

• Lasting legacy


Final Thoughts

• Seize opportunities when they arise!

• Remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

“No man's life, liberty, or property are

safe while the legislature is in session”

(or your school lunch)!

-Mark Twain

Questions?

Colorado

Legislative

Efforts

Colorado Overview

Lobbyist

Legislative Support

Legislative Outcome

Legislative Shortfall

Legislative Collaboration

Lobbyist

Background

Experience

Philosophy

Priority

Capitol Success Group

Legislative Support & Outcome

Senator Bill Thiebaut, majority leader School Finance Bill – state matching bill

2000

Senator Paula Sandavol - our champion Breakfast

Vending machines

Fresh fruit and vegetables pilot

Legislative Shortfall

Breakfast after the BellInitiated by other interested

coalitions

Representative Moreno sponsored the bill

CSNA not at the table to help draft the bill

Legislative Collaboration

CSNA now has a seat at the larger

coalition table.

Colorado Fast Fact

School Visitor’s Guide

Colorado

Questions

Contact Information:Mona Martinez-Brosh, RD

Director of Nutrition Services

Aurora Public Schools

[email protected]

LAC 2017SUCCESSFUL STATE LOBBYING STRATEGIES

TONI HILL, VIRGINIA SNA

MONA MARTINEZ-BROSH, RD, COLORADO SNA

SLIDES AND HANDOUTS AT

www.SchoolNutrition.org/LACResources

lac 2017 - school nutrition · 2017-04-06 · –increased funding in 2016 and maintained in 2017...

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