2014 Advocacy Guide on the Prevention of Child Maltreatment Prevent Child Abuse America Chicago, Illinois 5/1/2014 About Prevent Child Abuse America Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 50 states and over 609 Healthy Families America home visitation sites in 40 states, the District of Columbia, America Samoa, Guam, the Northern Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. Acknowledgements Prevent Child Abuse America dedicates this Guide to the children and their families for whom it was written. We thank the advocates who are working towards the goal of ending the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. We are grateful to all those who have participated at various points in the development of this Guide: Kelly Crane, James Hmurovich, Jennifer Rison, Ben Tanzer, Zach Hiner, Barbara Shaffer, Kathryn Harding, Cydney Wessel, Marissa Morabito and Janet Rosenzweig. © 2014 Prevent Child Abuse America Page i Prevent Child Abuse America 228 South Wabash Avenue 10th Floor Chicago, IL 60604 312.663.3520 tel 312.939.8962 fax www.preventchildabuse.org Dear Child Advocates, National Honorary Board Michael Bolton “If we do not know where we are going, we may not get there.” How many times Bill Cosby, Ed.D. have we heard this admonition? Bob Costas Tommie Harris Grant Hill We at Prevent Child Abuse America think it’s time that our country encourages our Tamia Hill Jack Nicklaus policymakers to create that “destination” for our children and families for a shared vision of the healthy development of our nation’s children. We believe that having National Board of that shared vision will enable our state and local governments to energize and Directors Christophe Fred Riley engage communities and neighborhoods to play a role in making child abuse and Board Chair neglect not only unacceptable, but unthinkable. And, the reward? A return in David C. Rudd Vice-Chair investment that not only helps to develop the potential of all children to become Laura Delman functional and contributing members of our communities, but adults who have the Secretary Andrea Roberston education, balanced experiences, mental health, physical energy and dedication to Treasurer help make our country the destination location for child and family well-being for Darrell L. Armstrong every child and family. Laura Delman Mike Dervos Whether you are a parent or community leader and have never considered yourself Maura Somers Dughi Chris Efessiou an advocate or whether you are a statewide Prevent Child Abuse America chapter Mark Flores and have been extensively involved with your state’s legislative process, I hope that T. J. Fox SuEllen Fried you will all take something useful from this resource. Christopher Greeley, M.D., FAAP Yolanda Harris James M. Hmurovich Your advocacy agenda, or advocacy mission statement, will drive your efforts. It is Todd Jacobson important to put some time into creating this blueprint. Susan Kelley Felicia Kolodner Beth Langford I encourage you to use this guide as best fits your organization. Some topics may be LoriAnn Lowery-Biggers Luke Marklin more relevant to you than others. I also encourage you to try new things that you Fred Riley Andrea Robertson have not previously considered. This is a great opportunity to be creative and push David Rudd Debbie Snyder your organization in new directions! Bryan Specht John Suk Beatrice Yorker Juliana Zoto Best of luck in your advocacy efforts! President & CEO Sincerely, James M. Hmurovich Mission Statement James M. Hmurovich To prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. President & CEO Prevent Child Abuse America © 2014 Prevent Child Abuse America Page ii Contents Chapter 1: Introduction and Background Information .........................................................................1 What is Advocacy? .................................................................................................................................... 2 Overview of Guide .................................................................................................................................... 3 FrameWorks Institute Messaging Research ............................................................................................. 4 Chapter 2: Prevention of Child Maltreatment .....................................................................................7 Overview of Child Maltreatment .............................................................................................................. 7 Risk Factors for Maltreatment .............................................................................................................. 8 Relationship of Poverty to Maltreatment ............................................................................................. 8 Protective Factors for Child Maltreatment ........................................................................................... 9 What is Prevention? .................................................................................................................................. 9 Effective Prevention Strategies ........................................................................................................... 10 Organizing Your Prevention Efforts ..................................................................................................... 12 Table 1: Levels of Prevention ............................................................................................................... 12 Table 2: Social-ecological model ......................................................................................................... 14 Why Prevention Matters? ....................................................................................................................... 14 The Economic Case for Prevention ...................................................................................................... 15 Facts about Child Abuse and Neglect ..................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 3: Legislative Advocacy ........................................................................................................ 18 The Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes a Law ................................................................................ 18 Making Your Engagement Count in the Legislative Process ................................................................... 21 Testifying Before a Committee ............................................................................................................ 23 Don’t Underestimate the Value of Legislative Staff ............................................................................ 24 The Legislative Budget Process ............................................................................................................... 25 Being Active Outside of the Legislative Session ...................................................................................... 26 Chapter 4: Advocacy During Election Years ....................................................................................... 28 Writing Campaign ................................................................................................................................... 28 Attend a Candidate Event ....................................................................................................................... 30 Candidate Forums ............................................................................................................................... 30 Candidate Questionnaires ................................................................................................................... 36 Candidate Interviews and Briefings .................................................................................................... 37 Post-Election Advocacy Strategies .......................................................................................................... 39 © 2014 Prevent Child Abuse America Page iii Chapter 5: Media Advocacy .............................................................................................................. 40 Cultivating Relationships with the Press ................................................................................................. 40 Building an Active Social Media Profile ................................................................................................... 41 Preparing a Press Briefing Kit .............................................................................................................. 41 Writing for the Press ............................................................................................................................... 44 Editorial Board Meetings ........................................................................................................................ 46 Holding a News Conference .................................................................................................................... 47 Interviewing on TV and Radio ............................................................................................................