Public Policy Advocacy

advocacy

pursuit of influencing outcomes including public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions that directly affect peoples lives

influencing public policy sustains and promotes the profession through forging and nurturing relationships

public policy

categorized by area of intended impact: health care, social, education

it is created through legislative process and implemented through regulations

public policy pertinent to OT

basic and special education, vocational and medical rehab, economic support, social rehab, facility construction and architectural requirements, deinstitutionalization and independent living, transportation and public accommodation, technology related assistance & civil rights

US congressional committees

house of representatives and senate

house of representatives

responsible for education and workforce committee (subcommittee on education reform, select education, and workforce protections), energy and commerce committee (subcommittee on health and the environment), way and means committee (health subcommittee)

senate

responsible for finance committee (health care subcommittee), health education labor and pensions committee (aging, children and families, employment and training), special committee on aging

NY state senate/assembly committees pertinent to OT

aging, alcoholism and drug abuse, children and families, consumer protection, education, health, higher education, insurance, mental health and developmental disabilities, social services, transportation, veterans affairs

how a bill becomes a US law

idea for a bill>congress>referred to committee> full congress votes> president signs bill into law or vetos

if a US bill is vetoed by president

back to congress for 2/3 override vote OR back to committee for changes

how a bill becomes a law

idea for a bill> legislation> referred to committee > full legislation votes > governor signs bill or vetos

if a bill is vetoed by governor

back to legislation of 2/3 override vote OR back to committee for changes

once a bill becomes a law

formulation of proposed regulation, publication of the proposed regulation for public comment, public hearings on proposed regulation, comments from other agencies, legislative review, issuance of the final regulations

skills required to influence legislation and policy

communication, collectivity, collegiality

communication skills

to persuade others and to build relationships with legislators

collectivity skills

collective voice is powerful

collegiality skills

ideal of shared similar identification of the problems and goals and loyalty to these goals and each other

AOTAs advocacy activites

Formulated American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC)

Hire Professional Lobbyists

Organize and encourages letter-writing campaigns and grassroots activities

Operates Legislative Action Center via the AOTA website

AOTPAC

purpose is to further the legislative aims of AOTA by influencing or attempting to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to any Federal public office, and of any OT, OTA, or OT student member of AOTA seeking election to public office at any level. The committee is not affiliated with any political party.

advocacy involvement - awareness

read professional literature that provides brief summaries of legislative activity

advocacy involvement - active concern

write letters to members of congress

advocacy involvement - active involvement

participate in congressional visits

lobbying

advocacy used to persuade the governments representative to act or abstain from taking a particular action

direct methods of lobbying

meeting in person with a representative or senator or his/her staff members, testifying at legislative hearings

indirect methods of lobbying

letter writing, emails, or phone calls