1.7 Getting Involved: Effective Messaging for Advocacy Speaker: Heather Dearing It is critical that policymakers understand the importance of providing adequate resources for homeless assistance. However, it can be difficult to find a message that resonates with this key audience. This workshop will review the basics of getting involved in advocacy and developing a message. Presenters will also explore effective strategies for communicating with policymakers in the current fiscal climate.

1. Put a number and a face on it!
 Homeless youth in California – who are they
and how many are there?
 Include service recipients in advocacy
 Site visits versus office visits
 Focus on outcomes
 Give them what they want

2. Homeless Youth
Educational Display
in California State
Capitol outside
Governor’s Office

7. California Runaway & Homeless Youth Month
November 2011

8. Of course it’s evidence-based!
 Increased pressure to prove you are using
taxpayer dollars effectively
 EBP: the integration of the best available
research with clinical expertise in the context
of client characteristics, culture and
preferences
 Advantages of evidence-based practice and
being outcome driven
 Working toward realistic outcomes
 Data is good, but don’t be too technical

9. Other messages and
thoughts…
 Leveraging public, private, local, state and
federal dollars
 Not getting a “fair share” of federal dollars
 Demonstrate your innovation
 Get everyone saying the same thing
 Attach your message to a bigger message
 Do one big thing, once a year, if possible
 Be passionate!