Policy & Advocacy

The Maternal and Child Health Competencies include clear guidance on imparting MCH leaders with policy skills, preparing them to be more effective advocates. MCH defines the competency of policy as being, "important for MCH leaders to possess policy skills, particularly in changing and competitive economic and political environments. MCH leaders understand the resources necessary to improve health and well-being for children, youth, families, and communities, and the need to be able to articulate those needs in the context of policy development and implementation.  A public policy is a law, regulation, procedure, administrative action, or voluntary practice of government that affects groups or populations and influences resource allocation.

According to MCH Competencies, MCH leaders (including LEND trainees) will demonstrate a working knowledge of:

• Public policy-making processes at local, state, and national levels.

• Current public policies and private-sector initiatives that are especially relevant to MCH populations.

• Appropriate methods for informing and educating policymakers about the needs of MCH populations and the impact of current policies on those populations.

• Strategies for public communication on key MCH priorities.

Our LEND Program provides many opportunities for trainees to learn and engage in policy while strengthening their advocacy skills.

Crafting an Advocacy Message

Throughout the year trainings will receive training through an instructional session and ongoing 1-1 mentorship to support development of their personal advocacy message.

Mock Hill Day

Trainees will participate in an event that allows them to practice the tasks and activities needed to participate with a coalition of advocates to deliver an advocacy message to legislators and their staffers on a local, state, or national-level disability advocacy “Hill Day” event. Mock Hill Day prepares trainees for effective participation in any one of the Hill Day events supported by MCH organizations (e.g., Disability Policy Seminar’s Hill Day).

Disability Policy Seminar

Each year LEND-Pitt supports LEND trainee’s participation in a state- or national-level hill day event. Attending these events allows trainees to participation in coalitions for advocacy, continue to craft and deliver their advocacy message, and build networks that will support life-long engagement in disability advocacy. The most common event trainees attend is the Disability Policy Seminar and related Hill Day in Washington D.C. each spring. This event is supported by AUCD and MCH partner organizations.

State Your Case

Some of the policies include: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); Section 504 C; Workforce and Innovations Opportunities Act (WIOA, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). 

Here are a few samples of State Your Case projects our trainees have completed: