Building Unit/Division Capacity for Policy and Advocacy CEC Special Education Legislative Summit Alexandria, VA July 7, 2018 Presented by: Sharon Walsh, DEC Government Relations Consultant Kim Sopko, DEC Advocacy Team Leader/CAN Coordinator
AGENDA 3 2 4 1 Welcome & Identify your DEC Policy & Questions & Brief Intro successes and Advocacy Discussion challenges Committee
Outcomes • Identify unit/division current successes and challenges • Understand the history of and the new DEC Policy and Advocacy Committee Structure • Consider new ideas and strategies to employ in your unit/division
Table Discussion In your unit / division, what have been 1) your greatest successes 2) your biggest challenges regarding policy and advocacy This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY efforts?
A little history…. • DEC has always been an active member of CAN network • Tried many, many, many, strategies over the years • Tried a variety of structures • Modest success but many challenges • Always trying to engage members across the generations • Providing needed information without overwhelming members
Meeting DEC Ends • DEC exists so that young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for development delays and disabilities participate as full members of families and communities and benefit from knowledgeable, informed, and connected professionals, families, and policy makers. • DEC exists so that professionals, families, and policy makers have an opportunity to connect, engage, and influence each other in a way that supports full community participation and desired outcomes for young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for development delays and disabilities.
Working Committees • Subdivision Support • Family • Policy & Advocacy • International • Inclusion & Equity • Membership • Leadership Development • Research • Community of Practice Development
Policy and Advocacy Committee 2018
Some of our partners
Policy Writing Team • Welcome to the new USDOE Secretary/ Priorities for the new administration • Comments on disproportionality regulations • Drafting IDEA reauthorization recommendations • Development of Part D paper • Comments on Head Start data collection This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Advocacy Team • Built on the work of previous member of PAC • Training materials • DEC annual conference sessions • Re-energizing our CAN Network • Increased communication with members • At least weekly posts to facebook and twitter • DEC News post on the website • Monthly E-communicator from Executive Director This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND • Emails to CAN Coordinators • Emails to all DEC members (used sparingly) • Connecting members to the CEC Legislative Action Center
Tier 2: Tier 1: Tier 3: (Urgent and [A] Action [B] Action (Not urgent, or DEC Priority needed, not needed, Not no action Dissemination Who Topic) needed/FYI urgent, but DEC priority Develops Vehicle DEC priority topic only; as time topic and resources allow) Dissemination Advocacy Team (with Twitter ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Exec Office Approval) 8 Action Guide Advocacy Team (with Facebook ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Exec Office Approval) Advocacy Team (with DEC News Section ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Exec Office Approval) on website Advocacy Team (with CAN Network ✔ ✔ Exec Office Approval) Activation Executive Office DEC E- ✔ ✔ Communicator Advocacy Team with Full Exec Office Approval Twitter/Facebook ✔ ✔ Advocacy Campaign Advocacy Team with Direct Email – All Exec Office Approval ✔ Member Activation
Website NEWS post
Facebook Posts
Tweets
Priority Issues Agenda
Meet your Have expectations volunteers where of volunteers they are What we have learned Discount for DEC Use partnerships Annual Conference and join coalitions registration Support from Deb CEC Legislative Ziegler, CEC P & A Action Center Director
What are two things you take away from this discussion that may help your unit/division to build capacity for policy and advocacy?
“ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.” - Margaret Mead 23
Thank You!
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