# Presentation: 297897

##  How to get into the Game  Enhancing your Advocacy Efforts

-                                                     **Natalie Kelly, Florida Public Policy Council**

## Only in America.......
     Do we use the word “Politics” 
      to describe the process so well: 

 “Poli”   in Latin meaning  “many” 
                       and
 “tics”   meaning “bloodsucking             creatures.”

**     ****Do we use the word *****“Politics” ***
**      ****to describe the process so well: **
*** “******Poli”   *****in Latin meaning*****  “many” ***
***                       ******and***
*** “******tics”   *****meaning *****“bloodsucking             creatures.”***

## 

450,000

**450,000**

**There are more people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Florida than any other state, except for California.  More than 450,000 Floridians have Alzheimer’s disease.  Florida is expected to  see a 64% increase of Alzheimer’s cases by the year 2025. **
**Why? **
**1. Baby boomers reaching retirement age. ****2. Rapid growth of elder population in Florida, especially 80 and over. Florida has the highest population of 80 and over. **
**3. People are living longer. Alzheimer’s affects 10% of those 65 and over, and 50% of those 85 and over....that is every other person!  ****4. Larger number of persons under 60 years of age is being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. **

## ABCs of Change & Reform

**A**** – Advocates**
**B**** – Build Support**
**C**** – Coalition Building**

-                   Susan Crosby, Executive Director & President, Women in Government

## A -- Advocate                                     Advocates Take Charge

**What sets the Alzheimer’s Association apart from other groups is that our “advocates take charge.” Instead of just meeting and complaining, we have a purpose, we listen,  strategize, implement, and succeed.....the Alzheimer’s Association makes things happen.**
**                                                                                      **
**                      ****Taking Charge......gets you into the game**.

## A -- Advocate

**Purpose of Advocacy for Dementia Programs**
**Incorporate your dementia program into state policy**
**But, also......**
**Build rapport**
**Build credibility and positive reputation**
**Educate**
**Promote your program**

**           **
**             ****Advocacy.......gets you into the game**.

## A - Advocacy

**Listen to individuals we serve**
**Caregivers with personal experience across the care continuum.**
**Urban, rural and underserved**
**Organizations**
**Focus groups**
**Departments/agencies**
**Universities, research institutes**
**Public officials**

**Listening .....gets you into the game.**

## A-- Advocate

**Fit into System of Change**
**Must know current policy**
**Recognize trend of change**
**Connection to state system change activities-- Streamlining system, Single Point of Entry**

**Fitting into the System of Change.......gets you into the game.**

## B—Build Support

**Be Informed**
**Find out information, meetings, workgroups**
**Stay informed**
**Department/agency websites/communications...www.myflorida.com**
**Organization websites/communications...www.alz.org**
**Legislature websites/communications...www.leg.state.fl.us**
**Word of mouth...Ex. FL Baker Act**
**Media, invest in a media service**

**Being well informed......gets you into the game.**

## B—Build Support

**Strategize....map out a plan**
**Timing is everything...ex. dementia training**
**Leave room for negotiations**
**Plan A, Plan B, Plan C**
**Allies, opponents, neutral**
**Develop message and unveil message**
**Target, key players**
**Use advocates, how effective is base?**

**Creating a strategy......gets you into the game.**

## B – Build Support

**Build Your Case**
**Do your homework, research**
**Know pros and cons, response for both**
**Statistics.....www.alz.org**
**Look at other states.... National Association of State Legislatures**
**Other bills, policies**
**Journals, articles**

**Building your case.....gets you into the game **

## B – Build Support

**Craft your Message**
**Short, articulate**
**Develop one-pager.... Throw away the notebook.**
**What you are asking for, Why it is important, PROVEN RESULTS, and what you will do w/ $$$... **
**    ****Ex. Alz. Assc platform**
**Is it a Model? **
**Put a face to your program, testimony from caregiver.**
**Stay on message**

**Crafting a well-developed message......gets you into the game**

## B – Build Support

**Spread your Message**
**Meet with groups you have identified as allies.**
**Build effective communications and Immediate Response system**** **
**E-lert, telephone, letters**
**Caregivers**
**Legislators and staff**
**Senate and House committee staff re: Alzheimer issues**
**Organizations**
**State agencies/departments, Governor’s office**
**Media**

## B – Build Support

**Media: Always have a spokesperson that knows how to handle the press.**
**Press conference, press release, op-ed column, letter to the editor**
**Feature TV or radio story....effective in multicultural communities**
**Plant stories**
**Unveil report**
**Testimony**
**Testify or attend: Legislative Committee meetings, county delegation meetings, task forces, long term care commissions, Alz program meetings, town hall meetings, department meetings.**

**Spreading your messages.....gets you into the game**.

**Spread your Message...continue**

## C -- Coalitions

**Build Relationships and Coalitions**
**A coalition of groups is more powerful than one group. Build relationships and coalitions with:**
**Obvious senior related organizations:  Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, F4A, CCE Coalition, Florida Council on Aging, Hospice, Adult Day Care Association**
**Not so obvious groups: nursing home associations, sheriff’s association, SEIU, American Cancer Society, others**
**Legislators.....who have relationships with Alzheimer’s**
**Government agencies, Gov staff.....find that champion**
**Board, commissions, task forces**
**Alzheimer related committees....Elder Committee, Health Comm.**
**Use your contacts, former working relationships**

**Building coalitions....gets you into the**** ****game.**

## 1. Become the point person, expert,  STAKEHOLDER
2. Never burn bridges......Don’t bad mouth anyone
3. Never lie or use misinformation
4. Always be prompt, return messages immediately
5. Be assertive, GO to the table, speak up, but don’t be obnoxious
6. Know the process, outsmart your opponent
7. Pick your fights
8. Keep communicating with allies, caregivers, stakeholders, legislators
Don’t take things personally
 FOCUS

WIN with Natalie’s TOP TEN

**2. Never burn bridges......Don’t bad mouth anyone**
**3. Never lie or use misinformation**
**4. Always be prompt, return messages immediately**
**5. Be assertive, GO to the table, speak up, but don’t be obnoxious**
**6. Know the process, outsmart your opponent**
**7. Pick your fights**
**8. Keep communicating with allies, caregivers, stakeholders, legislators**
**Don’t take things personally**
** ****FOCUS**
**WIN with Natalie’s TOP TEN**

## How do you Stay in the Game?

It is so much easier to “stay in the game” than it is to “get into the game.”
Don’t drop off the face of the earth
Continue practicing recommendations
Continue being  STAKEHOLDER, expert

**It is so much easier to “stay in the game” than it is to “get into the game.”**
**Don’t drop off the face of the earth**
**Continue practicing recommendations**
**Continue being  STAKEHOLDER, expert**

## If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm. Vince Lombardi

**Natalie K. Kelly, M.S.**
**Director, Public Policy/Florida**
**Alzheimer’s Association**
**PO Box 1084 **
**Tallahassee, FL 32302**
**850-570-5747 cell**
**850-942-0942 work**
**850-942-7267 fax**
**Natalie.kelly@alz.org**