TIPP Newsletter Winter 2010

TIPP

Targeting Impact through Public Policy

WINTER, 2010

On Our Agenda

RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR EDUCATION

Promoting afterschool and expanded learning opportunities is a Tier 2 issue

As one of our 10-year bold goals, UWCO is working to increase the percentage of students who graduate from high school in Franklin County public school districts from 87% to 95%. UWCO is one of ten pilot sites across the country focusing on education mobilization. As part of our work, UWCO is holding community conversations throughout Franklin County. These conversations allow us to listen well, build energy for action, and lay the groundwork for mobilization.

on United Way of Central Ohio’s Public Policy Agenda. Participation in afterschool programs can reduce initiating drug use among youth and decrease the likelihood of youth dropping out of school.

UWCO works with community partners, such as the Ohio Afterschool Network, to increase afterschool and expanded learning opportunities.

Columbus City Budget Mayor Michael B. Coleman presented his fiscal plan for 2011 on November 15, 2010. Expenditures for 2011 are projected at $706 million - an increase of more than $50 million over the $655 million the city expects to spend this year. The full budget is available at www.columbuscitycouncil.org. Click “Mayor’s 2011 Proposed Operating Budget” under the Most Requested tab.

A printed copy of the 2011 Budget may be obtained from the Department of Finance and Management, located at 90 West Broad Street. City Council is scheduled to finalize the City budget in February 2011.

For a complete listing of budget briefings visit www.columbuscitycouncil.org and click “Columbus City Council Tentative 2011 Budget Schedule” or call (614) 645-7380.

Community conversations bring people together to voice their hopes, concerns, and ideas about education. Information gleaned from community conversations will be shared with school districts, policymakers, and media.

Each conversation lasts about 1.5 hours. UWCO leads the conversation, provides refreshments, and brings necessary supplies. Hosts are responsible for inviting participants and providing space.

UWCO will work with hosts to ensure an appropriate date and time. Please contact Nancy NestorBaker (nancy.nestor-baker@uwcentralohio.org or (614) 227-2765) for more information about hosting a Community Conversation about education. We need and value your input.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU BELIEVE • Do you believe in the power of education?

• Do you believe we all win when a child succeeds in school?

• Do you believe that parents, students, educators, businesses, community members and elected officials can make a difference for education and for young people?

If you answered yes to the above questions, UWCO invites you to RAISE YOUR HAND FOR EDUCATION by signing the United Way pledge of support for education. Visit www.liveunitedcentralohio.org and show your support for education by completing the Raise Your Hand for Education Pledge.

Representative Ted Celeste raises his hand in support of education.

FACTS

• Columbus City Schools’ graduation rate has risen from 55.5% in the 2001-02 school year to 72.7% in the 2008-2009 school year. It is expected that CCS’ graduation rate for 2009-2010 will be near 78%.

• Ohio ranks 25th out of 51 in the percent of people who have completed high school (including GEDs). Ohio drops to 39th out of 51 in the percent of people with bachelor’s degrees.

• In 2008, workers in Ohio with less than a high school education earned a median wage of $9.47 per hour while those with a bachelor’s degree or higher earned $23.14 per hour.

MEET OUR NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS

Five new legislators will represent Franklin County in the 129th General Assembly when it convenes on January 3, 2011.

UWCO will spend considerable time in the coming weeks getting to know the following new members of the Central Ohio delegation:

Representative-Elect Mike Duffey - District 21 The Worthington Republican is a city councilman. He currently serves as the director of media relations at Hinson Ltd. Public Relations. He has a political science degree from the University of Michigan.

Representative-Elect Anne Gonzales - District 19 The Westerville Republican is a former mayor and current city councilwoman. She graduated from Otterbein College and has served on the Westerville Telecommunications Commission and the Westerville Reinvestment Housing Council.

Representative-Elect Michael Stinziano - District 25 The Columbus Democrat is the son of former Rep. Mike Stinziano. Representative-Elect Stinziano most recently served as the director of the Franklin County Board of Elections and worked as an Assistant to the General Counsel for Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner before that. He has a law degree from Ohio State University.

Senator-Elect Kevin Bacon - District 3 Completing two terms as State Representative in the 128th General Assembly, Senator-elect Bacon is a practicing attorney. He previously served as a Blendon Township Trustee and as an enforcement attorney for the Ohio Department of Commerce. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University and his law degree from Capital Law School.

Senator-Elect Charleta Tavares - District 15 The Columbus Democrat is a former state representative who was the first African American woman to serve in the Legislature from Franklin County and to hold a leadership position in the General Assembly. She is a Columbus councilwoman and executive director of the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence.

BOARD APPROVES NEW PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA United Way of Central Ohio’s Board of Trustees endorsed a new Public Policy Agenda that will direct our advocacy efforts for the next two years. Our 2011-2012 advocacy platform includes two legislative priorities: early care and education and financial stability for low- to moderate-income families. The newly approved public policy agenda also promotes five coalition issues related to safe neighborhoods, health care, afterschool opportunities, emergency food assistance and child nutrition.

UWCO views public policy advocacy as a valuable and effective tool for achieving long-term and systemic changes that support our mission, community objectives and bold goals. Each public policy issue links

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to one of our community impact areas – Education, Income, Health or Home – and provides UWCO staff and volunteers opportunities to engage elected officials in our efforts to build a community where everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.

For more information about our advocacy efforts or to learn how you can join our public policy team please visit our webpage at

www.liveunitedcentralohio.org/public-policy.

TIPP

8 tips for connecting with legislators 6. Invite legislators to tour your program or facility. Once the General Assembly convenes, legislators will be in session most weeks in Columbus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. They tend to be in the home district Friday through Monday. Take advantage of these days as well as holidays and legislative recesses to invite them.

The election is over, and even though members of the 129th General Assembly have yet to take the oath of office, now is the time to start building relationships with legislators. Some representatives and senators will be brand-new to the job. Even if they are returning for another term, they rely on advocates like you to help them learn about their district, their constituents, and the array of quality health, human services, and early care & education programs available locally.

7. Always send thank you notes and express appreciation after any meeting or event, as well as when a legislator supports legislation important to your organization.

Relationships involve ongoing communication and interaction. Below are some tips for engaging your legislators now, at the end of 2010, and on into 2011.

8. Give legislators a personal briefing (to the extent possible) before big news stories hit the public airwaves – both positive and negative stories. Hearing this type of news from you personally, before they read it in the newspaper, builds strong, trusting relationships.

Remember, they will undoubtedly get questions about it from their constituents, so this will help them prepare.

1. Send congratulatory letters to the election winners in your local coverage area.

2. Add legislators to your mail and email lists. Make sure they receive your newsletter, annual report, and other pertinent publications.

3. Send positive news articles about a legislator with a short note of congratulations.

4. Send positive news articles about your organization with a brief note.

5. Invite legislators to all organization events (award ceremonies, community events hosted by your organization, special events). They may not always be able to attend but may send aides in their place.

If you know they are coming, give them a role such as presenter or keynote speaker. Seat legislators at a reserved VIP table with you and other key leaders from the organization and community.

Recognize them as honored guests.

As you build relationships with your legislators, keep in mind that legislators care about their district and about the people who live there. Meeting with advocates, touring local programs, and listening to the concerns of service providers and consumers are all part of the job and NOT an imposition. In this budget climate, legislators are looking for solutions. They want to hear ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback. They look to advocates like you to be problem-solvers and a source of information.

Reprinted with permission from Advocates for Ohio’s Future.

ADVOCACY TRAINING Contact Valerie Ridgeway at (614) 227-2706 if you would like someone to address your group about public policy advocacy. Every effort will be made to accommodate your group’s needs. Training will address: • The difference between advocacy and lobbying • Benefits of engaging in public policy advocacy • The legal rights of nonprofits to engage in public policy advocacy • Strategies for engaging elected officials in your work • Tips for developing a relationship with legislators Training sessions will also include updates on state budget deliberations and a review of resources that will help strengthen your advocacy efforts.

Visit our website at www.liveunitedcentralohio.org/publicpolicy.

IMPORTANT DATES Monday, January 3

129 General Assembly Convenes th

Monday, January 10

12 Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Swearing-in Ceremony of Governor John Kasich and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor

Tuesday, March 15

Deadline for Ohio’s Executive Budget

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Public Policy PARTNER News A Story is Worth a Dozen Statistics A picture is worth a thousand words and a good story is worth dozens of statistics. That’s why Universal Health Care Action Network (UHCAN) of Ohio and the Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage are looking for stories of people who have been or will be impacted by health care reform. As state budget discussions get underway, UHCAN Ohio wants to hear from people whose lives have been positively impacted by the Medicaid program – such as parents who can work because they have access to doctors, dentists and medications. Willing to share your story? Legislators, media and our web site are always looking for stories. It’s the best way to get the word out about the value of health care reform and the importance of protecting Ohio’s Medicaid program. Contact Julia Bingman at (614) 465-0060 x 229 or jbingman@uhcanohio.org.with your stories, ideas or questions.

HUMAN SERVICE ADVOCATES UNITE The Human Service Chamber of Franklin County was established in January 2010.

Representing more than 70 human service organizations in Franklin County, the Chamber works to improve the quality of human services by collaborating with each other to enhance efficiencies and advocating for the needs of clients. The Chamber also works to create a better understanding of the scope, scale, and impact of the nonprofit human service system in Franklin County.

For more information about the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County including its legislative priorities and membership information visit www.humanservicechamber.org or call (614) 884-7232.

Protecting Ohio’s Most Vulnerable Advocates for Ohio’s Future works to maintain vital public services - health, human services, and early care and education - at a level that meets people’s basic needs and protects our state’s most vulnerable populations.

Advocates for Ohio’s Future accomplishes its mission by: • Making sure that our state budget priorities take into account the basic needs of the vulnerable and of those struggling because of the current recession; • Increasing awareness of the value of vital public services and the role they play in the lives of Ohio children and adults; • Educating Ohioans about the interdependence between human services and economic stability; • Building district-wide networks of supporters and organizations across the state willing to inform their families, friends, neighbors, and constituencies and to advocate for vital public services; and • Working to make Ohio’s health and human service delivery system more streamlined and coordinated.

Consider supporting Advocates for Ohio’s Future by visiting www.advocatesforohio.org and downloading an endorsement form. Advocates for Ohio’s Future will keep you and your organization connected to the state budget process and keep you engaged via action alerts and periodic emails. As a supporter, you will also have the opportunity to educate decision makers and the public about the value of health and human services. You may also contact Outreach Director, Will Petrik at wpetrik@advocatesforohio.org or (614) 602-2464.

For comments or suggestions about this issue, please contact: Valerie Ridgeway, Public Policy Director, at 614.227.2706 or valerie.ridgeway@uwcentralohio.org Troy A. Harris, Administrative Assistant, at 614.227.2736 or troy.harris@uwcentralohio.org Visit our website at www.liveunitedcentralohio.org/public-policy