o4a Advocacy Conference Dr. E. Douglas Beach, CEO

Cyndi Rossi, Legislative Liaison Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

March 20, 2019

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Today’s Advocacy in Motion’s (AIM) Presentation

1. Recruiting, training and engaging members of your community to be effective advocates.

2. Developing tools, training and printed materials to support the work of your advocates and legislative priorities.

3. Developing a sustainable advocacy initiative.

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Mandated Advocacy Role

Sec. 1321.61 Advocacy responsibilities of the area agency. The area agency shall serve as the public advocate for the development or enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community based systems of services in each community throughout the planning and service area

Why Start an Advocacy Initiative?

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To address issues and concerns related to older adults and individuals with disabilities

To increase services and programs

To increase communications among groups

To develop political clout

To amplify the voices of those you serve

Organizational Structure

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WRAAA Board of Trustees

Advocacy in Motion

(AIM)

AIM Team Cuyahoga

County

AIM Team Geauga County

AIM Team

Lake County

AIM Team Lorain County

AIM Team Medina County

Public Policy Committee

Five County Advisory Council

CEO Extension of the OAA Federal mandate that the CEO is the

prime advocate for services in the AAA

Train Volunteers How To Be Effective Advocates

Advocacy training should include: What is advocacy and why is

it important? What are effective advocacy

methods? What are the advocacy do’s

and don’ts? How to communicate

effectively with elected officials

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Advocacy Trainings

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Recruiting Volunteers

• Research sources of potential volunteers in your community and your networks.

• Develop a volunteer application and brochure.

• Develop plans to engage volunteers.

• Convince potential volunteers to become active volunteers.

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Educate Your Volunteers

Educate volunteers on legislative issues and priorities •WRAAA - home and community

based services that help alleviate isolation and loneliness:

•Home Delivered Meals •Transportation

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Negative Health Effects of Isolation and Loneliness

Associated with high rates of:

• Chronic health condition including heart disease

• Weakened immune system

• Depression and anxiety

• Dementia, including Alzhiemer’s disease

• Admission to nursing homes or use of emergency services

• Death

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Legislative Priority: Food Insecurity

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Legislators Deliver Meals

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Engage Your Volunteers: Testify

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Engage Your Volunteers: Meetings with Legislators

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Engage Your Volunteers: Letter Writing Campaign

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Engage Volunteers: Paper Plate Campaign

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Engage Your Volunteers: Paper Plate Campaign

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Engaged Your Volunteers: Senior Hunger Advocacy Day

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• 40 advocates dedicated their day to meet with 17 State legislators

• Event Sponsors: Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, o4a, Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, and The Center for Community Solutions

How to Sustain Your Initiative

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• Communicate

• Emails

• Regularly scheduled meetings

• Volunteer Recruitment/Engagement Activities

• Provide training and hold community forums

• Report on Activities

• Newsletter/Annual Report

• Your Agency’s Board/Committee

• Evaluate for feedback

Engage Clients: Personal Stories

• Powerful advocacy tool

• Puts a ‘face’ to the issue

• Personal stories have value and meaning

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Senior Hunger Advocacy Day

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Tuesday, May 7th

Sheraton Capital Square Hotel

Brief Training & Continental Breakfast

Legislative Rooms

Sponsored by WRAAA/AIM and Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Center for Community Solutions

Contact Information

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Dr. E. Douglas Beach, CEO

WRAAA

Direct Line: (216) 727-2621

Email Address: dbeach@areaagingsolutions.org

Cyndi Rossi, Legislative Liaison

WRAAA

Direct Line: 216.727.2622

Email Address: crossi@areaagingsolutions.org