Get Involved In Advocacy! Barbara Dunbar, PhD Diane Cullinane, MD Pat Marquart, MFT Traci Swink, MD Josh Feder, MD Jim Lantry, Legislative Advocate
Support Parent Choice Today! www.dirfloortimecoc.com
The Southern California DIRŽ/Floortime™ Regional Institute Pasadena, California October 2010- May 2011 Josh Feder, MD jdfeder@pol.net Mona Delahooke, PhD mdelahooke@socal.rr.com
Diane Cullinane, MD diane@pasadenachilddevelopment.org Pat Marquart, MFT patmarquart@aol.com
Get Involved!
Rally!
Speak Out
Meet Famous People!
You too can be a Leader!
Atlanta Update Barbara Dunbar, PhD
Introduction 1. It is important for all of us to participate in advocacy and the legislative process 2. We all have the skills to be helpful in advocacy and the legislative process 3. Everyone knows someone.... who knows someone....who knows someone....
Atlanta Update ď Ż 1. Participation in advocacy and legislation is full of surprises ď Ż 2. Help can come from the most unexpected places
Class Action Law Suit Diane Cullinane, M.D.
The decision to sue ď Ż Phone calls, meetings, relationships
Friends! Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher Ricki Robinson Rick Solomon Josh Feder
Technicalities Experimental “Specialized Recreation” Non-medical therapy
Appeals ď Ż Meetings with parents ď Ż Becoming a lawyer like on TV!
The Settlement Strong statement by judge Monitoring Relationships?
Language that Works Pat Marquart, MFT
Language & Lessons from ELARC “DIR is clinically proven and evidence-based according to 3 of the top M D.s in the field of autism” “No one treatment has proven to be ‘the best’ for children with autism - it is important not to take a ‘cookie cutter’ approach” Don't be afraid to stress how different DIR is from ABA
Letters from Parents ď Ż It is ok to ask! ď Ż Effective uses of letters
Winning in the Insurance Arena Traci Swink, MD
The Situation My state My center The problem
Legislation Getting it written Getting it passed Implementation
The Process of Getting Involved in Advocacy Josh Feder, MD
My growth in this stuff Vague awareness, rubbing elbows with politicians Barbara as role model DDS Guidelines rumors Getting Jim Developing Relationships Sacramento
Sacramento Jim did it! Rally Message: Parent Choice and Responsible Funding 28+1 A seat at the table Follow up
Basic Principles: Developing relationships Schedule regular time to work on it Win-win moments with / for others
The Message Be specific & stick to the message Specific requests re legislation Plan ahead: talking points & plan
Attitude Stay positive Stay honest Persistance and follow up
Meet your legislators!
Advocacy is Fun!
Legislative Advocacy Jim Lantry, Legislative Advocate
Engaging this ‘Lobbiest’
Before DIR: PWI, etc. How I got involved in DIR The Threat of the ‘Guidelines’ Working with specific people The sea change Making connections - e.g. military families
Sacramento Rally - logistics Message: Parent Choice and Responsible Funding Specific Action: the military resolution Follow up
Expanding Advocacy NY – passed, but still some room to impact the process MA – immediate Organizing in every state Anticipating upcoming work in specific states
Resources: Advocacy Tips On ICDL portal: Talking with your legislature Writing a letter Building a Grassroots Organization Working with the media
Support Parent Choice Today! www.dirfloortimecoc.com
Working for a place at the table
Get Involved!