General Advocacy Targets
1. Link to statewide groups and sub-committees (Ohio House and Senate ) to increase our visibility and participation in public policy development.
2. Increase community involvement in advocacy by:
a. Continue and expand our E-Advocacy with advocacy alerts, a bi-monthly electronic newsletter, Facebook page,Twitter, and Blogger, including podcasting and video commentary with an accompanying position paper.
b. Identify advocacy software with the capacity to document participation levels and outcomes
c. Recruit and train a minimum of 25 volunteers through local congregations and community agencies to be directly involved in advocacy activities.
d. Recruit a minimum of 10 local congregations to serve as advocacy allies resulting in a minimum of 100 volunteers who agree to receive advocacy alerts.
e. Explore the development of a high school and college level advocacy team to participate in one advocacy event.
3. Convene six meetings of the Advocacy Task Force as a forum for community advocates to hear from elected officials and community leaders about key issues impacting Greater Cleveland.
4. Serve as lead sponsor in a coalition effort of two Advocacy Days at the State Capital: one in support of sentencing reform and the other regarding child lead poisoning
5. Plan federal Advocacy Day in support of the Second Chance Act in collaboration with Lutheran Services of America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s Office on Advocacy
Priority Issues
1. Government support for basic health and human services.
A. Support the renewal of Cuyahoga County’s Health and Human Services levy
B. Advocate for federal health care reform that makes comprehensive health care accessible and affordable for all.
C. Monitor the State of Ohio 2010-2011 Budget Process and seek restoration of funding for human services in the State of Ohio 2012 – 2013 Budget Development Process. Specifically support restoration of mental health and substance abuse treatment funding, and public transportation in urban communities.
2. Provide Support and advocacy for formerly Incarcerated Persons
A. Seek reauthorization and funding of the federal Second Chance Act (Community Re-Entry)
B. Support state legislation for sentencing reform and modification of collateral sanctions, including planning an Advocacy Day at the State Capital. (Community Re-Entry, 2100 Men’s Shelter and Support to At-Risk Youth)
C. Partner with local community agencies in monitoring reentry and employment legislation and funding on the state level (Community Re-Entry, 2100 Men’s Shelter, Support to At-Risk-Youth)
3. Needs of Homeless Individuals
A. Convene meeting with the Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency to discuss the pilot program to support fathers in or near default with child support payments (2100 Men’s Shelter and North Point)
B. Utilize social media to increase public awareness around the needs and challenges of persons with sexually oriented offenses (2100 Men’s Shelter).
C. Continue partnering in an effort with county, local, and victim support agencies, and other shelters, to develop and implement a plan that includes creating or seeking housing opportunities for persons with sexually oriented offenses (2100 Men’s Shelter)
4. Persons with Disabilities/At Risk Adults
A. Conduct statewide advocacy for increased support for services provided to adult care facilities (SACH)
B. Support the success that Ohio Dept. of Aging has had on behalf of older adults to ensure that they can be served in the community setting of their choice and extend this success to other populations that utilize Ohio’s long term care services and supports (Guardianship, SACH, LEAP)
C. Conduct state & federal advocacy for increased consumer directed choice and increased funding for community based care as an alternative to institutionalization (Guardianship, SACH, LEAP). At the federal level, this includes supporting passage of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS) and The Community Choice Act, or for their inclusion in overall health care reform.
D. Support the passage of the Federal Elder Justice Act (Guardianship)
5. Child Lead Poisoning
A. Engage seven (7) local congregations to become Health Information Hubs and to recruitment a minimum of five (5) congregants per church to take three actions in support of reducing child lead poisoning (Lead Safe Living)
B. Plan and carry-out four advocacy events targeting elected officials, two training events, one education event/ State Capital, and one policy development event (Lead Safe Living).