# Presentation: 758497

## ADVOCACY & CAREGIVERSA Grassroots Perspective

- Presented by Monette McKinnon
- Director of Field Communications, N4A

## The N4A and the Center for Aging Policy (CAP)

- N4A and Center for Aging Policy (CAP) advocate on behalf of AAAs and Title VI Native American aging programs.
- N4A’s priority is to expand home & community services that preserve dignity and promote independence.

## The N4A and the Center for Aging Policy (CAP)

- Through a cooperative agreement with AoA and NASUA, N4A administers the  Eldercare Locator.  This toll-free service (1-800-677-1116) provides information and assistance to callers that connects them to local home and community-based services.

## The N4A and the Center for Aging Policy (CAP)

- For 2001 (Oct. – June) the Locator received 42,941 calls from caregivers seeking information for a loved one.
- This represents more than half (52%) of calls received by the Locator during that time-frame.

## Why Was the Caregiver Program Enacted in 2000?

- Flexibility and commitment from major stakeholders.
- Support and cooperation of many aging, women and groups representing people with disabilities.
- Presidential Commitment

## Why Was the Caregiver Program Enacted in 2000?

- Bi-Partisan Congressional Support.
- Champions on Key Committees.
- Commitment from HHS & and AoA.
- Pressure to garner senior vote in 2000 elections.

## Family Caregiver Support

- Congressional Womens Caucus
- Older Americans Caucus
- Caregivers (all age groups—particularly women and grandparents)
- Business community
- Minorities (cultural experience differs, caregivers are younger, less utilization of formal supports)
- Advocates for people with disabilities

## Strategies to Build Support

- “Dear Colleague” letters circulated in Senate and House.
- Human interest stories featured caregivers in Hill testimony, White House events and major news stories.
- LCAO led “National Call-in Day” on the OAA (N4A focused on Caregivers).

## Strategies to Build Support

- Customized Field Alerts for Members of Authorizing/Appropriations & Leadership.
- Inform state appropriators & budgeters of state Caregiver funds they receive if enacted.
- OpEds to 52 editorial directors in 17 states.
- Toll-free number to Congress (NCPSSM Senior Flash) throughout campaign.

## N4A/CAP Grassroots Campaign

- Board commitment.
- “Field coordinator” in 31 states.
- Full-time staff person dedicated to grassroots.
- Board Grassroots Committee “whips” in key Congressional Districts/States.

## N4A/CAP Grassroots Campaign

- Targeted 18 States and 49 Congressional districts.
- Authorizing Committees.
- Appropriations Committees.
- States/Districts With Competitive Races.
- House & Senate Leadership.

## N4A/CAP Field Packet:

- Flyer
- Fact Sheets
- Talking Points
- Samples:
- Postcards
- Letters
-  Recruitment form
- Form for human interest stories.
- List of Field Coordinators

- Letter to Editor
- Press Release
- Report Form for Congressional Contact
- “Pass the Act” stickers
- List of Key Legislators
- Congressional Calendar

## Future Opportunities

- Encourage candidates to adopt caregiver concerns as election issue.
- Collect human interest success stories.
- Keep numbers regarding those with unmet needs.

## Future Opportunities

- POMP survey, focus groups and other program information to make case for expansion.
- Establish Caregiver caucuses at federal/state and local levels of government.
- Organize and mobilize caregivers as a political force.

## Organizing Caregivers

- A chance to help others in similar circumstances.
- Their message is unique because of their personal experience.
- Time is a valuable commodity to caregivers—don’t waste it!

## Organizing Caregivers

- Create realistic schedules for responses from caregivers.
- Arrange activities at convenient times for caregivers.
- Provide respite care for meetings and other events.

## Organizing Caregivers

- Provide transportation and incidental costs.
- Design culturally sensitive outreach to targeted populations.
- Teleconferencing/internet chat groups.

## Organizing Caregivers

- Design materials to minimize the effort required to take action.
- Focus efforts on activities that can be conducted easily at home:
- Letter writing campaigns
- Phone trees
- E-mail chain letters