Advocacy

Our Purpose

Advocacy is a large part of our role as addiction counselors. It is important to our leadership team that you have the resources you need in order to advocate about matters that are important to you and VAAC. State-level advocacy is incredibly effective, and your voice can help to change the trajectory of mental health and substance use policy in our state!

Steps to Advocate

Step 1: Look up your local legislator by clicking here and entering address.

Step 2: Obtain preferred contact information (email, phone number, mailing address).

Step 3: Use the advocacy script to help you craft your message (see below).

Step 4: Sit back and know you have made a difference!

Advocacy Script

After identifying what cause is important to you, feel free to use this script to help craft phone calls, written letters, or emails to your local representative:

Regarding House Bills (HB), email your State Delegate:

[State Delegate name (i.e., Dear Delegate Hurst,)]

My name is [NAME] and I am one of your constituents, located in [CITY/STATE]. I am writing to express my support of HB [BILL #]. [INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION].[INSERT PERSONAL STORY OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF DESIRED - REMOVE IF NOT]. If you have questions about my support for this legislation, please contact me by phone at (###)###-#### or by email at [email@server.org].

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Regarding Senate Bills (SB), email your State Senator:

"[State Senator name (i.e., Dear Senator,)]

My name is [NAME] and I am one of your constituents, located in [CITY/STATE]. I am writing to express my support of HB [BILL #]. [INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION].[INSERT PERSONAL STORY OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF DESIRED - REMOVE IF NOT]. If you have questions about my support for this legislation, please contact me by phone at (###)###-#### or by email at [email@server.org].

Sincerely,

[NAME]