` POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACY DAY TOOLKIT Springfield, IL April 13, 2016 POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT In order for Illinois to continue to grow and thrive, we need to provide access to the supports, resources, and experience that children and young people need to grow and thrive. How? We need to invest in POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – programs and services that offer all children and young people the opportunities, supports and services they need to become healthy accomplished adults: educated, contributing to their communities, and self- sufficient. Illinoisans need a •Connected: With positive connections to family, community, and friends; comprehensive opportunities to take leadership in culturally and environmentally robust vision of positive communities; and resources for avoiding behaviors in the community associated with youth development disconnection and harm. •Educated: Ready for school – at transition points, each and every day – and – a comprehensive experience academic success. vision of success for •Employable: Possessing the skills and dispositions to obtain employment and continue children and young on a path to a secure financial future. people. To achieve •Healthy: In good health, with strong health habits. this vision, all •Safe: Growing up in and contributing to stable families and safe communities. •Thriving: With their basic needs met in the context of their families and community, children and young including the basic need for food, clothing, and shelter; basic security; and a family in people need to be: which to belong. We have work to do •Funding for Teen REACH: The Governor’s FY17 budget did not include funding for to make sure young Teen REACH. This is a vital program, which keeps youth safe and improves educational outcomes. We ask that the General Assembly include funding for Teen Illinoisans are REACH in its FY17 budget. prepared for •Healthy Communities Incentive Fund (HCIF): The Illinois State Board of Education’s successful futures. (ISBE) budget recommendations included a $15 million HCIF line to help foster school and community partnerships. The Governor did not include HCIF in his Some of this work budget, but this initiative could provide funding school districts and communities can will involve long- use to better align programs and supports around a local vision for success for term changes to children and youth. This line must be included in any state budget or any ISBE funding legislation. how we think about •Juvenile Redeploy Illinois: Juvenile Redeploy Illinois gives money to counties/judicial and organize districts to build up specific mental health and substance abuse services in their supports for communities. In exchange, the counties agree to send at least 25 percent fewer juvenile offenders to Department of Juvenile Justice lockup, and instead they keep children and youth. those youth in their communities and give them intensive treatment and court But there are supervision. This program is effective, dramatically cutting recidivism rates among actions that we can the offenders who participate, and saves a significant amount of money immediately. Part of supporting positive youth development includes supporting take today to programs like Juvenile Redeploy Illinois that provide intervention services and support holistic alternatives. positive youth •Teen REACH Codification Legislation (HB 4570/SB 2407): HB 4570/SB 2407 create a “statutory home” for Teen REACH – an important, impactful youth development development: program and the only statewide and state funded afterschool program. This legislation establishes by law the outcomes the program must address, could clarify the intent of the existing budget line, and sustain the longevity of this crucial program. Positive Youth Development Advocacy Day Toolkit 2 April 13, 2016 Designate April 13, 2016 as Positive Youth Development Day in Illinois! Ask your legislators to Positive Youth Development Day Co-Sponsors Positive Youth Development Advocacy Day Toolkit 3 April 13, 2016 Advocacy The above outlined vision of Positive Youth Development will only be achieved through the work of strong advocates. Simply put, advocacy is sharing your point of view and ideas with legislators with the objective being to generate their support for your work. It is also a great way to engage policy makers in discussion of issues constituents, like you, face in your communities. As a constituent, you have the right to express your opinion to your elected official. By sharing information with them, You build relationships with policymakers You help them fulfill their promise to be informed You help them make decisions that are in the best interest of their communities You are viewed as a credible source of information on positive youth development Your input is valued and sought Your calls get returned Get to know your legislator Identifying your state legislator Visit the Illinois State Board of Elections District/Official Search page to find your elected official Learn about your state legislator Visit the Illinois General Assembly’s website to find the following information about your elected official: o Full name o Party affiliation o Locations of their district and Springfield offices o Length of time in office o Committees assignments o Bills they have sponsored o Biographical information . Full-time profession . Work experience . Education . Areas of interest . Family You can also find additional information by searching for a legislator’s website online. Positive Youth Development Advocacy Day Toolkit 4 April 13, 2016 Corresponding with your legislator When communicating with your elected official, remember the following1: Be positive and nonpartisan. Legislators are turned off by threatening or argumentative advocacy. If it is clear that the policy maker will not support your position, just give the facts and ask him or her to consider your viewpoint. This will keep the lines of communication open for discussing future issues. Be personal. Sharing your personal experiences and concerns during a visit or in a letter/email will make your message more compelling. Be persistent and patient. Building a relationship with your legislator and his/her staff takes time. Also, on many issues it may take several years to pass legislation. Stay on message. Focus your visit, letter, or email on one topic. Use separate communications for different topics. During a visit, work to return to your topic if the legislator changes the subject. Never give inaccurate information. It is far better to tell a legislator, “I don’t know, but I will find out and get back to you.” Your credibility (and the legislator’s if he/she uses your information) is at stake. Be sure to follow up with the complete information. Relax. Advocacy does not have to be complex or intimidating. It’s simply you exercising your right as a citizen and having a conversation to express your views to the person elected to represent you. You do not need to be an expert. Just share your concerns and values, knowing that your views as a voter are important to your legislator. Personal letters/email to elected officials The time-tested method of sending a written communication to your legislator remains one of the most effective ways to deliver your message to senators and representatives. What’s new, however, is that you can now deliver the message through various channels including fax or email. Well written letters from constituents are: Targeted. Letters should be addressed to the appropriate legislators in the district where you live, and where your organization is located. Brief. In no more than two pages, one if possible, they explain the issue and the proposal’s impact. Not form letters. A form letter that is modified to deliver a unique message is more likely to influence legislators. Avoid personal criticism. Express appreciation for past or future support. Ask for a response. It is appropriate to ask your elected official to send you a letter stating his/her position on the issue. 1 WCCF Legislative Advocacy Guide http://wccf.org/assets/legislative_advocacy_guide.pdf Positive Youth Development Advocacy Day Toolkit 5 April 13, 2016 A letter/email to your State Senator or Representative should include the following items: Heading: State Senator: State Representative: The Honorable (full name) The Honorable (full name) Senate of Illinois Illinois House of Representatives Salutation: Dear Senator (last name): Dear Representative (last name): Opening Paragraph: State the subject of your letter Use the bill number or name, if available Identify yourself and your organization Example: “I am the resource coordinator/director of (organization’s name) which annually serves ______ students and their families” or “I provide _____ programs at (organization’s name) that _________.” Body of Letter: Explain the issue simply and factually at a level the senator or representative will understand. They’re not experts! Give a local, personal, example of the impact of the issue to make the legislator care. State your position on the bill or provision, whether you support it or oppose it. Be polite. There’s always another issue to fight another day. Thank the senator or representative for their attention to the issue. Let the senator or representative know you are a resource for more information. Ask for a reply. Sample letter/email to elected official State Senator: The Honorable (full name) Senate of Illinois Address Dear Senator (full name): Dear (Legislator): As your constituent, I urge you to support positive youth development programs and services that provide children and young people in our community the opportunities and services they need to become connected, educated, employable, healthy, safe, and thriving adults. I ask that you support holistic positive youth development in Illinois by (funding the Teen REACH afterschool program, funding the Healthy Communities Inventive Fund, supporting Juvenile Redeploy Illinois, voting in favor of SB 2407). Positive Youth Development Advocacy Day Toolkit 6 April 13, 2016 (Insert a story about your program and how the services you offer connect to positive youth development. Share your program’s impact on your community).