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Parent Advocacy >Steps to Becoming an Advocate
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The following are some simple steps you can take to
become an advocate for young children:
| Step 1: |
Make a personal commitment to be an advocate. Speak
out publicly for children.
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| Step 2: |
Keep informed through your newspaper, the Internet, local legislative
offices and the YMCA Childcare Resource Service library about pending
bills.
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| Step 3: |
Learn how a bill becomes a law and how state government functions.
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| Step 4: |
Express your views through letters, phone calls and emails to your
legislators.
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| Step 5: |
Gain support for your views by joining parent and professional groups
that advocate for young children.
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| Step 6: |
Show appreciation by sending thank you messages to legislators when
they publicly support an issue you have asked them to consider.
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| Step 7: |
After a bill has passed, watch the way the bill you worked on is
implemented and be sure the regulations are written to do what needs
to be done.
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| Step 8: |
Continue to maintain good relationships with your legislators by
inviting them to speak at groups and helping to work on their campaigns.
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This material is based on information from Marilyn
L. Pearce, "Child Advocacy in 10 Easy Steps", and "Advocacy…Why
Bother?" published by On The Capitol Doorstep.
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