Advocacy

1. Robin Olivier, M.Ed., NCC, NCSC, CHt. Robin_m_olivier@hotmail.com Early College Academy Advocacy

2. Goals and Expectations of this Presentation: • To be informed. About leadership and advocacy within the state and what is possible when you engage in leadership and advocacy • To reflect.On what it is that you have a burning commitment to. (And what change may be required.) • To identify. Ways that school counselors might create, support, sustain relationships with state leadership, directly and indirectly. • To inform state leaders/LSCA about your advocacy efforts at the local level and what is needed in order to grow and support such leadership. • To TAKE ACTION!

3. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

4. Defining Advocacy Active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something

5. Literature supports the role of the counselor as an advocate for social justice (Bemak & Chung, 2005; Goodman, Liang, Helms, Latta, Sparks, & Weintraub, 2004; Ratts, DeKruyf, & Chen-Hayes, 2007) • Advocacy is one of the major themes of the ASCA (2005) National Model • The goal of advocacy is to allow for fair and equitable access to resources for marginalized groups (Goodman et al., 2004). Additionally, it is understood that advocacy is needed to foster systemic change, as oppressive conditions inhibit client growth and wellness. • Counselors should also advocate for the profession The School Counselor as An Advocate

6. ACA Advocacy Competencies Advocacy Competencies for counselors (2003), endorsed by the American Counseling Association (ACA), have provided a framework for understanding how advocacy is applied to practice.

7. Researchers have described advocacy as more than one definable activity; there is advocacy for students, the counseling profession, multisystem level social change, addressing discrimination, scholarship activities, and more (Goodman et al., 2004; Trusty & Brown, 2005). Rank in order which of these forms of advocacy is easiest to hardest for you. Discuss with your neighbor. Common Forms of Advocacy in School Counseling

8. Our responsibility It is our job to advocate for our profession (as we do for our students); to promote, explain, and clarify, and to defend if necessary the role of the professional school counselor in todays’ educational system.

9. Necessary Skills for advocacy • Good communication • Collaboration • Problem-assessment • Problem-solving • Organization • Self-Care (Brown & Trusty, 2005)

10. (1) An appreciation for human suffering (2) Nonverbal and verbal communication skills (3) Maintenance of a multi-systems perspective (4) Individual, group, and organizational interventions (5) Knowledge and use of media, technology, and the Internet (6) Assessment and research skills (Kiselica & Robinson, 2001) Other Skills/Attributes

11. Systemic Levels of Advocacy

12. ASCA – Advocacy and Public Policy Institute (APPI) Amanda Fitzgerald, ASCA Director of Public Policyafitzgerald@schoolcounselor.org national

13. 1. Know the legislative process 2. Know the schedule 3. Know your lawmakers 4. Communicate with your legislator (visits, phone call, letters and email) 5. Legislative Tours and/or Legislative Day State Level : Policy and legislation

14. 1. Know the legislative process How a bill is passed 2. Know the schedule Even numbered years – noon on the last Monday of March Odd numbered Years – noon last day of April

15. The Legislative Process • How a bill becomes a law • Bill is drafted • Committee • First Reading/Second Rdg/Third Rdg • In the other body (same process/readings) • Conference • Signed into law – when is law enacted?

16. What senate district you live in? Who is your state senator? What committees does he/she serve on? How many committees in the senate? What representative district do you live in? Who is your representative? What committees does he/she serve on? How many committees in the house? 3. Know your lawmaker

17. What makes them tick? What are their “causes”? When is re-election They love good press Do you know your BESE member? 3. Know your lawmaker

18. Know Your lawmakers “The time to make friends is before you need them.” -Lyndon Baines Johnson

19. 4. Communication: Visits • Make appointments in advance (you may meet w/a staffer) • Do your homework, prepare fact sheet, etc • Practice our presentation • Be on time and be brief • State the purpose of your visit • Present the arguments & opinions for your position • Distribute position papers, fact sheets, & other relevant documents.

20. 4. Communication: Visits • Stress the impact of legislation, regulations, etc. • Listen to opinions & concerns presented by those visited. (Know the opposition) • Seek support, assistance, sponsorship of legislation and other action by the official. • Answer questions, Use your expertise, Share success stories • Summarize your concerns, arguments & offer personal assistance. Thank you • Follow up letter and /or provide requested information.

21. Meet Newly Elected Congress • Welcome & congratulate newly elected lawmakers after each election • Do some research and find out who has ties to school counseling or education • Make new lawmakers familiar with your school counseling program

22. Invite your Legislators to School • Establish contact/maintain contact with legislators well before the session begins. • Invite to special programs: career days, college fairs, arena scheduling, classroom guidance lessons, etc. • Educate you legislator about your role as a school counselor (Fact Sheet).

23. Be prepared, have your message written in front of you Keep message simple & concise. Ask for specific action or message about position. Number of calls count Send a follow up letter with additional info (use personal or school letterhead), but be brief. 4. Communication: Telephone calls

24. Avoid form letters/ personal or school letterhead Identify yourself and your reason for writing Be brief and Stick to one issue Refer to legislation by its bill number or title Be specific, make it clear what you want him/her to do. Tell again why the issue is important to you and implications for the community Offer to be a resource if more information is needed Request a response Keep copy of letter 4. Communication: letter/email

25. The Honorable John Doe State Senate/State Representative P.O. Box 94183 Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4183 How to address letter

26. district Level : Policy and Issues • Meet with your principal • Local school board presentation

27. School Level • The school counseling program should be on the PTA agenda once annually. • Back-to-school time, NSCW, Spring testing. • Prepare a hand out (fact sheet) or presentation for parent organization • Information table in highly visible place

28. Grass Roots • Most effective way to create change • Organizing people at the ground level to be heard • Crucial in local, state & federal advocacy efforts

29. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has . --Margaret Mead

30. Fact Sheet • Statement of purpose • Organize the information for impact • Use a series of points to make your case • Keep the text brief • Strive for a polished, professional appearance • Distribute your fact sheet widely

31. Fact Sheet: Data • We must begin to show hard evidence of how we make a difference in students academic performance. • Provide snapshots of the students, school, community, state • Reveal access or equity issues • Challenge existing behavior, programs & policies

32. Network, Network, Network • Collaborate with all stakeholders • Present at their meetings • Explain how your issues will benefit them and your students • Ask to post your information on their website

33. Build Coalitions • Local school boards • State Department of Education • State School Board • Principals Association • State Superintendents • PTA’s • Education Associations • Post Secondary Institutions

34. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up…. • Send thank you cards • Emails • Follow up calls • Send additional information requested • Keep members informed about bill progress

35. Repeat the process… • Stay focused • Stay positive • Keep the same faces before legislators/decision makers • Don’t give up • It will happen • STAY STUDENT FOCUSED!!!

36. ADVOCACY Consequences Potential Rewards: • Personal Satisfaction • Personal Growth • Positive Systems Change • Promoting Social Justice Potential Risks: • Being Viewed as a Troublemaker • Feeling Emotionally Exhausted • Possibly Jeopardizing Employment • Being Ostracized by Colleagues

37. Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could be…we must become the change we want to see…We are the leaders we have been waiting for.” --Mahatma Ghandi A final Thought

38. Useful website • Louisiana Legislature www.legis.state.la.us • ASCA website www.schoolcounselor.org • LSCA Website www.louisianaschoolcounselor.com • DOE website www.louisianahighschool.org